
Meet the IPS officer who penned a hit item song in a movie. Who is Murlidhar Sharma?
Murlidhar Sharma
, currently serving as Inspector General in West Bengal, has stepped into the world of film music. Renowned for his sharp investigative instincts and distinguished service in both Bengal and Kolkata police departments, Sharma has now added another dimension to his multifaceted career by writing the lyrics for a
Hindi item number
in the upcoming Bengali film Mrigaya, slated for release on June 27.
The track, titled Shor Machaa, is a high-octane dance number brought to life by the powerful vocals of
Sunidhi Chauhan
and
Rana Mazumder
. With an infectious rhythm and celebratory lyrics, the song has already caught the attention of music lovers. The opening line, bursting with energy and defiance, sets the tone for a track designed to captivate dance floors and cinematic audiences alike.
Many assumed the lyrics had been crafted by a seasoned writer from the Bollywood or Tollywood circuit. Instead, the creative mind behind the words is a 2005-batch IPS officer who has long nurtured a love for poetry and Urdu literature. Sharma, who began writing during his student years nearly three decades ago, has authored a wide array of ghazals steeped in introspection and emotion. His body of work is shaped by a deep appreciation for classical poetry rather than film scripts or dance rhythms.
The opportunity to contribute to Mrigaya came through music director Rana Mazumder and Debasish Dutta, a fellow officer who also wrote the film's script. Initially hesitant to depart from his usual poetic style - Urdu poetry—Sharma found the proposition unfamiliar; writing lyrics for a commercial item song was a sharp departure from the deeply personal verses he was accustomed to. However, after some persuasion and a trial attempt, his words resonated with the composers and became the heartbeat of the track.
'I was approached by music director Rana Mazumder and Debasish Dutta (OC, Maniktala Police Station, and also the writer of the film). When they told me it was for an item song, I declined. I usually write Urdu ghazals born out of personal reflection, not based on scripted situations. I said it wasn't my cup of tea. But they persuaded me..." he told News 18.
Directed by Abhirup Ghosh, Mrigaya features an ensemble cast that includes Ritwik Chakraborty, Vikram Chatterjee, Anirban Chakrabarti, and Saurav Das. The film weaves a taut narrative around a complex murder investigation, promising action, intrigue, and emotional depth. Within this intense storyline, Sharma's song provides a vibrant interlude, showcasing another facet of storytelling through music.
The inclusion of a real-life police officer's creative voice in a film about crime and justice creates a compelling parallel. With Mrigaya, audiences are offered not just thrilling cinema but a rare glimpse into how creativity can flourish even in the most disciplined professions.
As per his LinkedIn profile, Sharma is a JNU alumnus. He holds an MPhil in Political Science and Government.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
34 minutes ago
- News18
Fans Urge Authorities To Convert RD Burman's Childhood Home Into Museum, Launch Petition
Last Updated: Fans of SD and RD Burman urge authorities to convert their neglected Kolkata childhood home into a museum. Despite appeals, the house remains in disrepair. Music lovers are coming together to save a piece of history, that is, the childhood home of legendary composers SD Burman and RD Burman in Kolkata. The house, located at 36/1 South End Park, has fallen into a state of neglect. Fans are now urging authorities to convert it into a museum. To push for action, a group of fans has launched an online petition that has already gathered over 7,000 signatures within a week. They believe that the house should be preserved as a cultural landmark. 'This house is not just brick and mortar — it echoes with melodies that shaped Indian music. Instead of being lost to time, it deserves to be turned into a living museum, a cultural space that honours their genius and nurtures future talent," the petition says. Back in January 2021, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had renamed the road outside the house to 'Sangeet Sarani", and there were talks of turning the property into a museum. But according to family members, nothing came of those plans. RD Burman's uncle, Abhijit Dasgupta, shared his disappointment in a conversation with The Telegraph. 'We were promised a museum. We were told a blue plaque would be installed. In 2021, they even renamed the street Sangeet Sarani. But nothing beyond symbolism has happened." He also questioned, 'If the Ministry of External Affairs can offer help to restore a Ray-linked building in Mymensingh, why can't our own state protect this house steeped in musical history?" When asked about the petition, Swapan Samaddar, Member, Mayor-in-Council (Environment & Heritage), said, 'I have not received any such petition. If I do, I'll take necessary steps." He added that he wasn't in charge of the heritage portfolio back in 2021. But fans are not giving up. Dasgupta, who started the petition, said firmly, 'This time we're determined to see it through." RD Burman was one of the most celebrated music directors in Indian cinema. Active from the 1960s to the 1990s, he composed music for over 330 films and played a big role in shaping the sound of Hindi film music. Burman worked closely with some of the biggest singing legends like Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, and Mohammed Rafi. He also shared a special creative partnership with lyricist Gulzar/ Rahul Dev Burman was the only son of renowned composer Sachin Dev Burman and lyricist Meera Dev Burman. First Published: July 28, 2025, 07:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
34 minutes ago
- News18
Saiyaara Song On Spotify's Top 50: Tanishk Bagchi Says ‘Rights Not With Me, I'll Only Get…'
Saiyaara music composer Tanishk Bagchi says that while topping Spotify global charts will help in positioning, he's sure that it won't translate to financial or commercial gains. Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda starrer Saiyaara has once again created history. The title track composed by Tanishk Bagchi and Arslan Nizami and sung by Faheem Abdullah is now standing at number one in Spotify's viral 50 global chart. It has become the first Bollywood song to achieve such a feat, surpassing global musical sensations like Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, BLACKPINK and Sabrina Carpenter. Sharing his excitement, Tanishk exclusively tells News18 Showsha, 'This is something really special." Crediting director Mohit Suri, he says, 'I knew that it would be the number one song in India but for it to top global charts was something that I didn't expect. It came as a surprise. But the credit goes to Mohit sir. He treated and guided us like school children. I attribute all of this to his captainship. A huge credit goes to Arslan and Faheem. They're incredible, they're geniuses. They've so much soul in their music, voice and song writing." So, what does this mean for Hindi film music? 'It will definitely help in positioning. We've proved that Bollywood music has the power to make it to the global stage. Hanumankind achieved this feat too [with Big Dawgs] but his composition was in English. It had earned the seventh spot. Ours is a pure Hindi song. I'm so glad that we've achieved a world record," remarks Tanishk. He continues, 'International labels keep saying there's K-pop from South Korea, Afro music from Africa and house music from Sweden but there's nothing from India that makes it to the charts. We try to achieve such feats by making English songs or by collaborating with international artists but we haven't been successful. But we became successful with Saiyaara. The singer, the composers and the producer are Indian. The mixing also happened in India. And that's why it's a very big achievement." However, Tanishk believes that this success may not translate to big financial gains. Prod him further and he states, 'I don't know what impact it will have commercially and financially because I know that jo chal raha hai woh hi chalta jaayega. Aisa koi tor phor nahi hone waala. The laws pertaining to royalty and publishing is very different in the West compared to India. When it comes to our royalty scene here, we don't get much money." While he has accepted the scenario, Tanishk looks forward to composing an international track soon that helps him get his rightful share of royalties. 'Jaise international artists ko milta hai, humein nahi milta unless you own the publishing rights. The rights of the title track of Saiyaara isn't with me. It's with the music label. I'll only get so much money. I try to not bother myself because it is what it is. But when I make an international song in the future, I know that I'll earn in billions. I'm waiting for that moment," he says. First Published: July 28, 2025, 07:42 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
an hour ago
- News18
Saiyaara Box Office Day 10: Ahaan Panday-Aneet Padda Film Makes A Whopping Rs 30 Cr On Second Sunday
Last Updated: Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri and starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has crossed Rs 300 crore worldwide in nine days. On day 10, it earned Rs 30 crore in India. Saiyaara box office collection day 10: Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda have officially arrived. Their debut film Saiyaara is proving to be a box office beast, and it's doing what most romantic dramas rarely manage — pulling massive crowds and raking in serious money. Directed by Mohit Suri, the film has crossed the Rs 300 crore mark worldwide in just nine days, making it one of the biggest box office stories of 2025. According to early estimates as quoted by trade tracker Sacnilk, Saiyaara earned around Rs 30 crore (India net) on its tenth day, that is Sunday. With strong word of mouth and no real competition at the moment, the film's theatrical run is expected to continue at full throttle into the coming week. On Day 10, the film's Hindi (2D) occupancy rates remained solid across the board: morning shows clocked in at 23.21%, afternoon at 56.38%, and evening shows peaked at 63.46%. The numbers are strong, and the audience interest shows no signs of slowing down. At this pace, Saiyaara could soon surpass the lifetime collection of Kabir Singh (Rs 377 crore) — which would make it the highest-grossing Indian romantic film of all time (non-inflation-adjusted). All eyes are now on how it performs in its second full week. Meanwhile, a report by The Times of India revealed that the makers have closed a deal with streaming giant Netflix for the film's OTT release. However, owing to the film's ongoing theatrical momentum, the digital premiere has been delayed. Saiyaara is now expected to debut on Netflix around Diwali, offering audiences a festive treat later in the year. Saiyaara is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language musical romantic drama directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films. The film marks the acting debut of Ahaan Panday and also stars Aneet Padda in a leading role. Loosely inspired by the 2004 Korean film A Moment to Remember, Saiyaara tells the story of Krish Kapoor, a troubled musician who finds an unexpected emotional connection with Vaani Batra, a quiet and introspective poet. Released on 18 July 2025, the film opened to largely positive reviews from both critics and audiences. Praise was particularly directed at the performances of Panday and Padda, Suri's sensitive direction, and the soul-stirring soundtrack. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.