As lyricist Manoj Muntashir celebrates his birthday on February 27, let’s rewind to the song that scripted his Bollywood breakthrough. After 39 rejected or discarded tracks, ‘Teri Galiyan’ became the game-changer, earning him fame and his first luxury car.
Mumbai’s storytelling maestro didn’t start in films. His career kicked off in television in 2005, scripting for reality shows like KBC and family dramas. But poetry coursed through his veins since school days, sparked by a teenage heartbreak that taught him the art of capturing love’s ache.
Those early love letters, penned with raw emotion, evolved into chart-toppers. Hits like ‘Jab Tak’, ‘Khuda Bhi’, and ‘Tere Sang Yaara’ showcase his mastery over romance. Yet, it’s his patriotic anthems—’Teri Mitti’ and ‘Teri Galiyan’—that resonate deepest, blending national pride with personal longing.
Fun fact: Part of ‘Teri Mitti’, sung by B Praak, remains unreleased, tucked away under Muntashir’s pillow as a sacred secret. From Baahubali’s grandeur to Kesari’s valor, his discography spans epics. He once revealed tearing up countless drafts before ‘Teri Galiyan’—proof that success follows relentless effort.
In an era of fleeting trends, Muntashir stands tall, reminding us that true art stems from lived pain and unyielding passion. His 40th song wasn’t just a hit; it was destiny.