Javed Akhtar, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy to make a song for Swacch Bharat

Poet-writer Javed Akhtar has decided to become a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swacch Bharat programme, and it's all thanks to singer-turned-parliamentarian Baabul Supriyo, the Minister of State for Urban Development.

Baabul not only invited Akhtar to write a Swachch Bharat anthem, but also convinced his close musician-friends Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy to compose the song.

Mukesh Bhatt has been assigned the task of producing the song.

"We haven’t had a song like Mile sur mera tumhara for decades," says Baabul. "I remember as a child, that song was taught to us in school. Generations have grown up hearing and singing Mile sur mera tumhara. For a very long time, we have felt the need for another anthem song that binds that whole nation together. I felt Javedsaab was the best person to write a new Mile sur mera tumhara that would connect with the youngsters of the nation while retaining a core of poetic quality."

The song will be sung by the major classical and popular singers of today.

And yes, Baabul will sing as well.

So what kind of a song would Javedsaab write to inspire motivate New India?

"All I can tell you at the moment is that it won’t be anything like Mile sur mera tumhara. We already have that," quips Akhtar.

Photograph: Abhijit Mhamunkar