Swanand Kirkire, who recently had a release with the OTT series Bandwaale, is soon going to reunite with Sudhir Mishra after more than 15 years with the upcoming political drama Summer of 77. Swanand will begin his journey as a music composer with the show. Recently, the renowned lyricist-actor spoke about the reunion, and the experience of composing songs for Summer of 77.
In an official statement, Swanand said, "After Bandwaale, I wanted to immerse myself in something that allowed me to explore music as a narrative force again, and Summer of 77 offered exactly that.” Talking about the show, he added, “This isn’t just a period drama — it’s a story about a very emotionally charged time in our history, where music, poetry, and expression played a huge role in shaping voices of resistance and identity." Swanand further added, "Composing for a story set during the Emergency comes with a certain responsibility. You’re not just creating melodies; but also trying to capture the spirit of a generation that was questioning authority, dreaming of change, and finding its voice amidst chaos. The songs had to feel rooted in that time, yet resonate with today’s audience."
Besides composing, Swanand has also sung three of the songs for the series. Recalling the experience, Swanand added, “Singing these songs, especially ‘Ye Kaisa Hai Junoon’, was a very personal experience. That song reflects the passion, confusion, and fire of youth during that era it’s not just about romance or rebellion, but about a larger emotional unrest that defined those years."
Swanand and Sudhir have previously collaborated on some of the memorable songs of the 2000s movies, like ‘Bavra Mann’ and ‘Khoya Khoya Chand.’ Talking about their association, Swanand added, "Working with Sudhir has been incredibly enriching. He approaches storytelling with honesty and depth. Also, he gives music the space to breathe within the narrative, which is rare and beautiful. When a filmmaker trusts music to carry emotion and subtext, it pushes you as a composer to go beyond the obvious."
Set against the backdrop of the 1975–77 Indian Emergency, Summer of 77 is an eight-part Hindi series. The series boasts a stellar ensemble cast including Rahul Bhat, Isha Talwar, Vishal Vashishtha, Saurabh Shukla, Rajat Kapoor, Manav Vij, TJ Bhanu, and Anjan Dutt.
