Mehboob Biography 
Mehboob Kotwal, shortly known as Mehboob is a lyricist of present times. He is most popularly known for his association with A.R.Rehman and together they have delivered many chartbusters like Rangeela, Bombay, Thakshak, Dil ne jise apna kaha, Dil hi dil mein, Yuva, Daud, One two ka four and Doli sajake rakhna. He has also worked with him for the popular album Vande Matheram in 1997. Mehboob is also popular for some finest songs in association with Ismail Darbar – Hum dil de chuke sanam and Shakthi: The power. He has been nominated for best lyricist in Filmfare for the songs ‘Kya kare kya na kare’ and ‘Tanha tanha yahan pe jeena’ of Rangeela in the year 1995. He has been nominated in the year 1999 too – the movie is Hum dil de chuke sanam and songs are Aakhom ki gustakiyan and Tadap tadap. But he couldn’t win it at least once!
Mehboob was born in a small village Nashik, but his family later moved to Mumbai to pursue good primary school education. He learnt Urdu and English. Mehboob met music composer Ismail Darbar in the year 1986 and it turned out to be the turning point of his career. He joined the orchestra of Ismail Darbaar and Darbaar taught him the difference between poem and song lyrics. Later Ismail Darbar gave him the opportunity to write songs, when he got his first break to films. The movie was none other than Hum dil de chuke sanam of 1999. The musical hit saga of Aiswarya Rai, Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan gave new life and refreshment to both the careers of the lyricist as well as the composer. Yet Mehboob struggled to get big breaks in the industry.
Before Hum dil de chuke sanam happened to him, his association had already begun with A.R.Rehman. the first few works of A.R.Rehman were soley written by Mehbood including Rehman’s Hindi debut – Rangeela. A.R.Rehman also used his help to rewrite Tamil lyrics in Hindi for already released movies like Kathalar Dinam (Dil hi dil mein) and Bombay. Other finest lyrics include Khamoshiyan gungunane lage of 1 2 ka 4 and Bhoondom se baatein of Thakshak.
Published: N/A
Updated: July 08, 2013
