Batting for the youth

Shameer Tandon’s latest track, The live-in song, attempts to alter parents’ perceptions

Shameer Tandon roped in Javed Akhtar for a track that aims to enable parents of the young generation to come to terms with the concept of live-in relationships. “We endorse marriages; there’s nothing wrong with that. But, there’s nothing wrong with live-in relationships either. Times are changing, and the way relationships pan out today is different. It doesn’t have to always culminate in marriage. People who want to live together, don’t need the stamp of society,” says Tandon, further crediting Akhtar, the “most progressive writer of our time”, for giving his nod to work on the subject.

Javed Akhtar

Rendered by Mohit Chauhan and Nikhita Gandhi, the track sees a young girl, who wishes to live with her lover, reason with her parents. That society makes it difficult for such individuals to get their seal of approval is something that, Tandon says, must change. “Today, even tenants do not lease their homes unless a couple can provide their marriage certificate,” he laments.     

“I have been credited for creating songs that promote an inclusive environment, whether that is for the transgender community, or for children with mental disabilities. Javed saab has been privy to all kinds of relationships. He is clued into the way people are today. He has seen the world. He has progressive individuals in his own family. So, he was able to understand [the crux] and deliver the song within a day.”

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