Siddhant Kaushal, the man behind some of Bollywood’s most memorable lyrics, is currently riding high on the success of Dhoom Dhaam, where he penned the entire album and Deva, for which he crafted an intense, high-energy track. In an exclusive chat with The Pioneer, the versatile lyricist opens up about his unexpected journey from aspiring singer to sought-after songwriter, the challenges of writing across genres and the creative freedom that fuels his work
Tejal Sinha
In an industry dominated by larger-than-life personalities, Siddhant Kaushal has quietly built a reputation as one of Bollywood’s most versatile and impactful lyricists. A silent performer Siddhant, his words have given voice to countless emotions across genres, seamlessly fitting into the narratives of films, independent music, and brand campaigns.
In an era where lyricists often go unnoticed, his words breathe life into melodies, seamlessly blending storytelling with rhythm. With a filmography that includes Kill, Tumhari Sulu, Drive, Friday Night Plan, Looop Lapeta, Badla, Bob Biswas, Love Hostel, Jai Mummy Di, Darbaan and Khoobsurat, he has quietly carved a niche for himself, working with some of the biggest production houses like Dharma Productions, Excel Entertainment, Red Chillies, Balaji, Anil Kapoor Films and T-Series. His versatility extends beyond cinema—he has penned independent hits such as Guzar Jayega (ft. Amitabh Bachchan), dance numbers like Haaye Oye and Kehndi Haan Kehndi Naa, as well as soulful ballads like Piharva and Soch Ke. Now, with Dhoom Dhaam, starring Pratik Gandhi and Yami Gautam, Siddhant takes on the rare challenge of writing an entire album, showcasing his range and deep understanding of cinema.
But songwriting wasn’t always the plan. his journey began with a different dream—singing. Born and raised in Jalandhar, Punjab, with no formal training in writing, he initially moved to Mumbai in 2012 to pursue a career as a singer. “I had never written before. I didn’t have any background in poetry or lyric writing,” he admits. Coming from a boarding school education and a city where music was not a mainstream career option, he found himself navigating an unfamiliar world.
“In my first two years in Mumbai, I was just trying to find my footing—meeting composers, visiting studios and sending out my demos. I even started doing some jingles,” he recalls. Then, a chance encounter changed everything. “I met a composer, who called me to sing a track. But when I got there, I realised the tune didn’t have any lyrics. He casually asked me to write some dummy lyrics just for the rhythm.” What followed was a moment of mixed emotions—within ten days, he got a call saying his lyrics had been approved, but his voice had been rejected. “That was the turning point. Before I knew it, I started getting more calls for writing than for singing.”
Despite this unexpected shift, he faced his fair share of challenges. “Every artist experiences imposter syndrome at some point. I had no poetic background, so initially, I struggled with finding my own voice. I didn’t want writing to feel forced—it had to come naturally. It took time to develop my style and understand my strengths.”
His ability to adapt and explore different musical styles has been key to his success. Dhoom Dhaam, for instance, required him to write across various genres. “More than me, it was the situations in the film that defined the identity of each song. There’s a romantic track, a wedding song, and a situational number called Haseeno—each one demanded a different approach. My job was to ensure that the lyrics seamlessly fit into the narrative and emotions of the film.”
The opportunity to write the entire album for Dhoom Dhaam came through Shor Police, the music duo Clinton Cerejo and Bianca Gomes. “I was in my studio when Clinton called, saying he wanted me to speak to someone. I had no idea who it was until the call connected and I realised it was the director. Initially, I was brought on board for just one song—How Are You—but after working closely with the team, I was entrusted with the entire album.” Writing How Are You turned out to be one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences for Siddhant. “It was the first song we cracked and it took multiple sessions to get it right. Since it was my first collaboration with this team, there was an initial phase of understanding each other’s sensibilities. But once we got into the flow, everything fell into place.” Another song, Silsila, holds special memories for him. “Some songs just stay with you and Silsila is one of them.”
His ability to write across genres isn’t something he consciously thinks about. “I don’t actively adapt my style—it’s the tune that drives me. Since I come from a singing background and have a deep love for classical music, I have an emotional connection to melodies. That naturally translates into my writing.”
Before Dhoom Dhaam, he also worked on Deva, one of the most intense action films of the year. “The track I wrote for Deva was particularly exciting because the makers gave me complete creative freedom. They simply narrated the situation and told me to go crazy with it. There were no restrictions—I just had to follow the meter and the essence of the scene. That kind of trust is rare and it makes the process so much more enjoyable.”
With multiple projects lined up, Siddhant remains tight-lipped about his upcoming work due to the agreements. However, he hints at exciting collaborations, including independent singles and film projects set to release in the coming months. “There’s a lot happening, and I can’t wait to share it when the time is right.” For someone who stumbled into songwriting by accident, Siddhant Kaushal has not only embraced his craft but mastered it, proving that sometimes, destiny has bigger plans than we imagine.
