From Writing in the Shadows to Winning Hearts: The Remarkable Journey of Lyricist Sahil Sultanpuri
Mumbai: For nearly two decades, Sahil Sultanpuri quietly penned verses without ever becoming a familiar household name. Then came ‘Akhiyaan Milavanga’ from Commando 3, and suddenly, listeners across India began asking: Who is the lyricist behind these words? His journey stands as an inspiring testament to patience, persistence, and an unwavering commitment to the craft of songwriting.
A Young Lyricist, a Looming Deadline, and the Cricket World Cup
Sahil’s journey in Mumbai kicked off in 1999, right as the nation was gripped by the fever of the Cricket World Cup. Walking into the T-Series office, the young lyricist faced an immediate trial by fire: write a patriotic song for the album Jeetenge Hum Hindustani—and finish it almost overnight.
- The Rapid Creation: With the melody already set, Sahil completed the lyrics in mere minutes.
- The Vocal Test: To check if the words fit the tune, the team asked him to sing it himself. While singing wasn’t his forte, nailing the lyrics was.
- The Breakthrough: That swift assignment became his first major foothold in the bustling city, sparking a career that would span decades.
Carrying a Rich Literary Legacy
Taking his professional name from Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Sahil honors a region deeply woven into the fabric of poetry and literature. Home to legendary figures like Hindi cinema icon Majrooh Sultanpuri and Urdu poet Ajmal Sultanpuri, Sultanpur remains a cradle of verse, and Sahil proudly carries that heritage forward in his professional identity.
Years of Toil Without Overnight Fame
Unlike fairy-tale narratives where a single track launches an artist into instant stardom, Sahil’s career unfolded brick by brick through diverse projects:
- Early Collaborations: Wrote the title track and ‘Kamrein Mein Aaja’ for Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamaana alongside composers Yasin and Iqbal Darbar, alongside trying his hand at dialogue writing for Mohabbat Zindabad.
- Art House & Global Reach: Contributed lyrics to Gangor (2010), an Italian production adapted from a story by acclaimed writer Mahasweta Devi.
- Working with Legends: Penned ‘Dhakku Makum’ for Mai (2013), Asha Bhosle’s acting debut, which was famously unveiled at Lalbaugcha Raja during Ganesh Chaturthi.
- Diverse Storytelling: Wrote the entire album for Black Home (2015)—a gritty drama set inside a girls’ remand home—with songs voiced by heavyweights like Asha Bhosle, Hariharan, and Suraj Jagan.
Despite his extensive catalog, one track close to his heart—the qawwali ‘Husn Wale Farebi’ from Saat Uchakkey—failed to receive the promotional push he felt it deserved. Yet, rather than walking away, he kept writing.
The Game Changer: Commando 3
Big-budget action flicks rarely gamble on lesser-known lyricists, meaning Commando 3 wasn’t a project Sahil expected to land. However, a chance meeting with composer Mannan Shaah changed everything.
Their collaboration yielded ‘Akhiyaan Milavanga’, brought to life by Arijit Singh and Sruthy Sasidharan. Melding Hindi with light Punjabi phrasing—a language Sahil picked up naturally from friends—the song became a massive success, finally bringing him the widespread recognition he had chased for twenty years.
Beyond the Screen: Music with a Social Message
Sahil’s pen has also served powerful social causes:
- ‘Hum Shakti Hain’ (2021): An empowering anthem created with composer Sunil Koshy dedicated to acid-survivors, released on Women’s Day.
- ‘Sangeet Mera Ishq Hain’ (2019): A celebratory anthem for World Music Day.
His recent film credits also include ‘Main To Adhura’ (Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani, 2024) and ‘Thaari Jogan’ (The Kerala Story 2, 2026).
A Career Rooted in Resilience
Reflecting on the grueling lean years, Sahil notes he never seriously considered quitting. Walking away after investing decades would mean starting from scratch. Today, he continues to draw inspiration from greats like Gulzar, Javed Akhtar, Majrooh Sultanpuri, and Anand Bakshi, while admiring modern lyricist Irshad Kamil and hoping to collaborate with composer Pritam in the future.
Sahil Sultanpuri’s journey proves an enduring truth of the creative world: sometimes the art becomes a household name long before the artist does—and true recognition simply takes time.
“Sometimes the work becomes known before the person behind it does—and sometimes recognition simply takes longer than expected.”
