# Amitabh Bhattacharya

Amitabh Bhattacharya (born 16 November 1976) is an Indian Bengali lyricist and playback singer who works in Bollywood films. He shot to fame with the film Dev.D with the song "Emotional Atyachar" turning an instant hit. He sang this song under the name "Band Master Rangeela And Rasila". He also lent his voice to this song with Amit Trivedi. He has been continuously writing lyrics for a variety of Bollywood movies since then and has also sung a few of them. Bhattacharya has also maintained a close association with Amit Trivedi since their first film Aamir. He has written the lyrics or sang for most of the film albums composed by the latter. His lyrics have been variously described as "frillfree" and "smartly worded".
A National Award-winning lyricist, he has won the National Award for the song "Agar Zindagi" from the film I Am. He won his first Filmfare award for the song "Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin" in 2012. In his song-writing career he has won the highest number of awards, precisely 9, for the song "Channa Mereya" to date.

## Notable works

In his career, he has worked with some talented music composers like Pritam, A. R. Rahman, Amit Trivedi, Ajay-Atul, Vishal–Shekhar, Salim–Sulaiman, Ram Sampath, Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, Sachin-Jigar and many more.
Some of his best known songs are "Iktara", "Channa Mereya", "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", "Bulleya", "Kabira", "Balam Pichkari", "Badtameez Dil", "Mast Magan", "Raabta", "Zehnaseeb", "Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin", "Naina", "Khairiyat", "Manja", "Janam Janam", "Zinda Hoon", "Gerua", "Zaalima", "Sapna Jahan", "Sweetheart", "Namo Namo", "Ghar More Pardesiya", "First Class", "Kalank Title Track", "Param Sundari", "Kesariya", "Tere Pyaar Mein", "O Bedardeya", "Apna Bana Le" etc.

## Early life and struggles

Bhattacharya was born into a Bengali family. He completed his schooling at Spring Dale College, Indira Nagar, Lucknow in 1995 and completed his Graduation from Lucknow University in 1999 before venturing out to Mumbai for becoming a singer.
In a prolific interview given to the "Times of India" in 2013, Bhattacharya said that he migrated to Mumbai from Lucknow harbouring dreams of becoming a singer (1999). He stood in the long queues in front of the music composers' offices and gave them demo "Audio Cassettes" to listen to him. But it didn't bear any fruit.
He went up to music composer & director Pritam Chakraborty. It was Pritam who gave him work and allowed him to assist.
During his struggling days, he started writing lyrics for Advertisement jingles to lower his frustration of not getting work. He learned the art of songwriting during those struggling days.
In the year 2004, when his friend Amartya Rahut introduced him to music composer Amit Trivedi, Trivedi and Rahut, who often composed music for television channels, took Bhattacharya as a dummy singer to give presentations of his music. Trivedi also urged him to write rough lyrics. While writing lyrics, Bhattacharya discovered that he had an innate talent for giving words to tunes. Over the years, Trivedi and Bhattacharya became good friends.
His major breakthrough came when Trivedi was working on the music of Anurag Kashyap's Dev.D, Trivedi insisted Bhattacharya write rough lyrics. Bhattacharya wrote the lyrics for the songs of Dev.D, and most of its major songs became a hit, thus nearly ending 8 years of his struggle for recognition.

## Filmography
### As lyricist

| Year | Film | Composer | Notes |
| 2008 | Aamir | Amit Trivedi | |
| 2009 | Acid Factory | Manasi Scott | One song Along with Manasi Scott |
| 2009 | 99 | Ashutosh Pathak Shamir Tandon | |
| 2009 | Dev D | Amit Trivedi | Eight songs |
| 2010 | Chance Pe Dance | Adnan Sami | One Song |
| 2010 | Housefull | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Two Songs |
| 2010 | Udaan | Amit Trivedi | Four songs |
| 2010 | Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai | Pritam | One Song |
| 2010 | Anjaana Anjaani | Vishal–Shekhar | One Song (Along with Anvita Dutt and Caralisa Monteiro) |
| 2010 | Band Baaja Baaraat | Salim–Sulaiman | |
| 2011 | No One Killed Jessica | Amit Trivedi | |
| 2011 | Thank You | Pritam | Two Songs |
| 2011 | I Am | Amit Trivedi | National Award: Best Lyrics |
| 2011 | Luv Ka The End | Ram Sampath | |
| 2011 | Ready | Pritam | One Song |
| 2011 | Desi Boyz | Pritam | One Song |
| 2011 | Delhi Belly | Ram Sampath | Three Songs |
| 2011 | Chillar Party | Amit Trivedi | One Song |
| 2011 | Always Kabhi Kabhi | Pritam | Two Songs (One with SRK) |
| 2011 | My Friend Pinto | Ajay–Atul | Five songs |
| 2011 | Aazaan | Salim–Sulaiman | Three Songs |
| 2011 | Ladies V/S Ricky Bahl | Salim–Sulaiman | |
| 2011 | Pappu Can't Dance Saala | Malhar | |
| 2012 | Agneepath | Ajay–Atul | won IIFA Award for Best Lyrics |
| 2012 | Ek Main aur Ekk Tu | Amit Trivedi | |
| 2012 | Agent Vinod | Pritam | Six songs |
| 2012 | Ferrari Ki Sawaari | Pritam | One song |
| 2012 | Cocktail | Pritam | One song |
| 2012 | Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi | Jeet Ganguly | Five songs |
| 2012 | Barfi! | Pritam | One song |
| 2012 | Heroine | Salim–Sulaiman | |
| 2012 | Aiyyaa | Amit Trivedi | |
| 2013 | Bombay Talkies | Amit Trivedi | Three Songs |
| 2013 | Go Goa Gone | Sachin–Jigar | Two songs |
| 2013 | Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani | Pritam | Eight songs |
| 2013 | Ghanchakkar | Amit Trivedi | |
| 2013 | Lootera | Amit Trivedi | |
| 2013 | Chennai Express | Vishal–Shekhar | Seven songs |
| 2013 | Rabba Main Kya Karoon | Salim–Sulaiman | Three Songs |
| 2013 | Phata Poster Nikla Hero | Pritam | Two Songs |
| 2013 | Dhoom 3 | Pritam | One Song |
| 2014 | Mr Joe B. Carvalho | Amartya Bobo Rahut | One Song |
| 2014 | Yaariyan | Pritam | One Song |
| 2014 | Hasee Toh Phasee | Vishal–Shekhar | Five songs |
| 2014 | Shaadi Ke Side Effects | Pritam | Two songs |
| 2014 | Darr @ the Mall | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | |
| 2014 | One By Two | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | |
| 2014 | 2 States | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | |
| 2014 | Lekar Hum Deewana Dil | A. R. Rahman | |
| 2014 | Ungli | Sachin-Jigar Salim-Sulaiman | Two songs |
| 2014 | Happy Ending | Sachin-Jigar | |
| 2015 | Bombay Velvet | Amit Trivedi | |
| 2015 | Bajrangi Bhaijaan | Pritam | One song |
| 2015 | Brothers | Ajay–Atul | |
| 2015 | Phantom | Pritam | Five songs |
| 2015 | Shaandaar | Amit Trivedi | Four songs |
| 2015 | Dilwale | Pritam | |
| 2016 | Ghayal Once Again | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | |
| 2016 | Ki and Ka | Ilaiyaraaja | One song |
| 2016 | Te3n | Clinton Cerejo | |
| 2016 | Banjo | Vishal–Shekhar | |
| 2016 | Ae Dil Hai Mushkil | Pritam | Won 12 Awards including 62nd Filmfare Awards & Zee Cine Awards |
| 2016 | Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh | Clinton Cerejo | Three songs |
| 2016 | Dangal | Pritam | |
| 2017 | Raees | JAM8 | One song(won Zee Cine Awards) |
| 2017 | Poorna | Salim–Sulaiman | |
| 2017 | Raabta | Pritam, JAM8 | Five songs (Two with Irshad Kamil) |
| 2017 | Tubelight | Pritam | Six songs |
| 2017 | Jagga Jasoos | Pritam | Five songs (won 63rd Filmfare Awards) |
| 2018 | Blackmail | Amit Trivedi | Four songs (One with Divine & Daval Parab) |
| 2018 | Dhadak | Ajay–Atul | |
| 2018 | Thugs of Hindostan | Ajay–Atul | |
| 2018 | Kedarnath | Amit Trivedi | |
| 2019 | Milan Talkies | Rana Mazumder | Four songs |
| 2019 | Kalank | Pritam | |
| 2019 | India's Most Wanted | Amit Trivedi | |
| 2019 | Super 30 | Ajay–Atul | |
| 2019 | Mission Mangal | Amit Trivedi | Two Songs |
| 2019 | Chhichhore | Pritam | |
| 2019 | The Zoya Factor | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | |
| 2020 | Dil Bechara | A. R. Rahman | Disney Plus Hotstar film |
| 2021 | Koi Jaane Na | Tanishk Bagchi | One Song |
| 2021 | Roohi | Sachin–Jigar | Four Songs |
| 2021 | Mimi | A. R. Rahman | Netflix film |
| 2021 | Bunty Aur Babli 2 | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | |
| 2022 | Jhund | Ajay–Atul | Three Songs |
| 2022 | Dasvi | Sachin-Jigar | One song Netflix film |
| 2022 | Dhaakad | Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy | Two Songs |
| 2022 | Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 | Pritam | Two Songs (One with Yo Yo Honey Singh) |
| 2022 | Laal Singh Chaddha | Pritam | |
| 2022 | Brahmastra | Pritam | Won 68th Filmfare Awards |
| 2022 | Drishyam 2 | Devi Sri Prasad | |
| 2022 | Bhediya | Sachin-Jigar | |
| 2022 | Qala | Amit Trivedi | One song Netflix film |
| 2023 | Shehzada | Pritam Abhijit Vaghani | One song Along with Ashish Pandit |
| 2023 | Zara Hatke Zara Bachke | Sachin-Jigar | Won 69th Filmfare Awards |
| 2023 | Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar | Pritam | |
| 2023 | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani | Pritam | All songs (One with Raja Mehdi Ali Khan) |
| 2023 | The Great Indian Family | Pritam | |
| 2023 | Tiger 3 | Pritam | One song |
| 2023 | Dunki | Pritam | Two songs |
| 2024 | Munjya | Sachin-Jigar | |
| 2024 | Stree 2 | Sachin-Jigar | All songs |
| 2024 | Chandu Champion | Pritam | Two songs |
| 2025 | Azaad | Amit Trivedi | All songs (one with Swanand Kirkire) |
| 2025 | Nadaaniyan | Sachin-Jigar | |
| 2025 | Thama | Sachin-Jigar | |
| 2025 | Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari | Pritam | |

### As playback singer

| Year | Film | Composer | Song |
| 2008 | Aamir | Amit Trivedi | Ek Lau |
| 2008 | Aamir | Amit Trivedi | Ha Raham |
| 2009 | Wake Up Sid | Amit Trivedi | Iktara |
| 2009 | Dev D | Amit Trivedi | Emotional Atyachar |
| 2010 | Band Baaja Baaraat | Salim–Sulaiman | Mitra |
| 2010 | Udaan | Amit Trivedi | Geet |
| 2010 | Udaan | Amit Trivedi | Aazadiyan |
| 2010 | Admissions Open | Amit Trivedi | Dariya Ubale |
| 2010 | Admissions Open | Amit Trivedi | Aasman Ke Paar |
| 2010 | Housefull | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Loser |
| 2010 | Fast Forward | | Aankhon ki Baat |
| 2011 | No One Killed Jessica | Amit Trivedi | Dua |
| 2012 | Agent Vinod | Pritam | Pyaar ki Pungi |
| 2012 | Aiyyaa | Amit Trivedi | What to do |
| 2013 | Lootera | Amit Trivedi | Ankahee |
| 2013 | Lootera | Amit Trivedi | Manmarziyan |
| 2013 | Lootera | Amit Trivedi | Shikayatein |
| 2013 | Lootera | Amit Trivedi | Monta Re |
| 2013 | Chennai Express | Vishal–Shekhar | Tera Rasta Chhodun Na |
| 2014 | 2 States | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Offo |
| 2014 | Happy Ending | Sachin–Jigar | Paaji Tussi Such a Pussy Cat |
| 2015 | Bhale Manchi Roju | Sunny M.R. | Vaareva Ore Maccha (Telugu) |
| 2019 | Chhichhore | Pritam | Fikar Not |
| 2020 | Jai Mummy Di | Amartya Bobo Rahut | Manney Ignore Kar Rahi |
| 2022 | Bhediya | Sachin-Jigar | Baaki Sab Theek |
| 2024 | Munjya | Sachin-Jigar | Hai Jamalo |

### Film producer

* The Film (2005)

## Awards

| Award | Category | Award Details |
| 58th Filmfare Awards | Best Lyricist | Song: "Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin" |
| GiMA Awards | Lyricist of the Year | Song: "Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin" |
| 14th IIFA Awards | Best Lyricist | Song: "Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin" |
| Mirchi Music Awards | Album of The Year | Song: "Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin" |
| Mirchi Music Awards | Critics' Choice Song of the Decade | Song: "Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin" |
| 59th National Film Awards | Best Lyrics | Song: "Agar Zindagi" |
| 7th Mirchi Music Awards | Album of The Year | Film: 2 States |
| RMIM Puruskaar 2016 | Lyricist of the Year | Films: Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Dangal Te3n Banjo |
| 2016 Screen Awards | Best Lyricist | Song: "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" |
| 2017 SpotBoyE Awards | Best Lyricist | Song: "Bulleya" |
| 9th Mirchi Music Awards | Critics' Choice Lyricist of the Year | Song: "Channa Mereya" |
| 9th Mirchi Music Awards | Critics' Choice Song of the Year | Song: "Channa Mereya" |
| 9th Mirchi Music Awards | Critics' Choice Lyricist of the Decade | Song: "Channa Mereya" |
| News 18 Movie Awards | Best Lyrics | Song: "Channa Mereya" |
| Zee Cine Awards | Song of the Year | Song: "Channa Mereya" |
| 62nd Filmfare Awards | Best Lyricist | Song: "Channa Mereya" |
| 2016 Sansui Colors Stardust Awards | Best Lyricist | Song: "Channa Mereya" |
| 18th IIFA Awards | Best Lyricist | Song: "Channa Mereya" |
| MT20Jubilee Awards | Platinum Disc | Song: "Channa Mereya" |
| 63rd Filmfare Awards | Best Lyricist | Song: "Ullu Ka Patha" |
| Zee Cine Awards | Best Lyricist | Song: "Zaalima" |
| 10th Mirchi Music Awards | Listeners' Choice Album of the Year | Film: Jagga Jasoos |
| 20th IIFA Awards | IIFA Award for Best Lyricist | Song: "Dhadak" |
| 12th Mirchi Music Awards | Lyricist of The Year | Song: "Kalank" |
| 12th Mirchi Music Awards | Song of The Year | Song: "Kalank" |
| 13th Mirchi Music Awards | Lyricist of the Decade | Song: "Channa Mereya" |
| 13th Mirchi Music Awards | Song of The Decade | Song: "Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin" |
| 68th Filmfare Awards | Best Lyricist | Song: "Kesariya" |
| Zee Cine Awards | Best Lyricist | Song: "Kesariya" |
| 23rd IIFA Awards | Best Lyricist | Song: "Kesariya" |
| 15th Mirchi Music Awards | Best Lyricist | Song: Tur Kalleyan |
| 69th Filmfare Awards | Best Lyricist | Song: Tere Vaaste |