Talent can never be subdued for long as it somehow finds a way to get back and flow on. The passion and desire someone has, is reflected in their work and always sparkles.
Until very recently, if a student in India opted arts in higher education, it always meant that they were poor in academics. Breaking this stereotype, Manoj Yadav, a small-town boy turned his passion of writing poems into a successful career. He loves playing with words which made this his identity.
Originally from Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, in 1960, his father shifted to Mumbai after finding work in a mill. His childhood revolved around the two cities. He would study in Mumbai and spend his vacation in Azamgarh. He was good in studies and was also popular in school and like every other parent his parents also thought that their son would become a doctor or collector but he had other plans.
Once during his history class, he was writing some poetry on his notebook and while the teacher caught him not paying attention to the class, she tore the paper. He was so infuriated that he threw the book at the blackboard and started crying about him hating history and liking poetry. Looking at his reaction and his poetry, the teacher understood his love for poetry.
He has composed nearly songs for two dozen films and various jingles. He has written various songs for movies like Ungli, Raees, Piku, Gabbar Is Back, etc. He has also worked on the 2011 World Cup Cricket theme song and the title song of Kaun Banega Crorepati. He also wrote the famous campaign song “Kaam Bolta Hai” for the election in Uttar Pradesh and has worked with great artists like Pritam, Amitabh Bachchan, and Shankar-Ehsan-Loy.
Manoj says, “My father had brought me to Mumbai from Azamgarh and I started by writing jingles for a wall painting company and other small companies. I stepped into Bollywood for the first time in 2010 when I worked for the Ad film of Lux where Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan acted in that advertisement. This opportunity was given as a promotion and I did not receive any payment for it. It was the turning point of my life. Then I got the opportunity to write the Anthem “De Ghumake” for the cricket world cup 2011 and then one after another opportunity came my way.
