Popular lyricist-poet Manoj Muntashir recently recalled the time when he picked writing as a profession over getting married. Muntashir was shooting for "The Kapil Sharma Show", when host Kapil Sharma asked him whether he has had a love marriage. "Ek baar marriage hote hote reh gayi and fir maine love kiya taki main marriage kar paoon. Complicated hai mamla (I had almost got married once and then I fell in love so that I could get married. It's complicated)!" Muntashir replied. Teri Mitti Fame Lyricist Manoj Muntashir Speaks Up Against Nepotism in Bollywood, Shares Video of a Talented Village Kid Dancing to Govinda’s Songs

Probed further, he added: "The first time around, shaadi ke card bhi chhap chuke the (wedding cards had been printed) and May 13, 1997 was the wedding date, which I still clearly remember. Around April end, the brother of the bride came to meet me and asked what my future plans were. I told him that bhai, main lyricist banunga (brother, I will be a lyricist). He said, woh toh theek hai, par kaam kya karoge (that's okay, but what work will you do)? Kapil Sharma Urges Punjab Police To Punish The Culprits After Suresh Raina Tweets About ‘Heinous Act’ Committed On His Family

I told him that I won't lie, but I want to write songs for the rest of my life. We went back and called off the wedding. Of course I loved the girl. But the choice was between writing and marriage, and I chose writing." Muntashir is now a known name in Bollywood. He has penned some unforgettable songs in Bollywood films including "Teri mitti" in "Kesari", "Galliyan" in "Ek Villain" and "Kaun tujhe" in "MS Dhoni: The Untold Story".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 04, 2020 12:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).