Swanand Kirkire Turns Show Creator with Bandwaale, Says Leading Role Made Journey ‘Extra Special’

National Award winning artist debuts as show creator and lead actor; Prime Video series premieres February 13

Mumbai, Feb 12 : Acclaimed music composer, lyricist, singer and actor Swanand Kirkire is stepping into a new creative role as a show creator with the upcoming Prime Video series Bandwaale. The project also features him in the lead, marking a significant and deeply personal chapter in his artistic journey.

Storytelling finds a new medium

Reflecting on the experience, Kirkire said storytelling has always been integral to his life  whether expressed through music, characters, or ideas that quietly evolved over time. With Bandwaale, those long held narratives have finally found a platform to grow into a full fledged series.

He described the dual responsibility of creating and acting in the show as both humbling and exhilarating, noting that it required balancing the process of building an entire world while simultaneously inhabiting a character within it.

Balancing creation and performance

The National Award winning artist highlighted the unique challenge of wearing multiple hats on the project. According to him, the journey reinforced the importance of trusting the creative process, embracing collaboration, and allowing the story to take the lead.

Kirkire also expressed gratitude to Prime Video for supporting a concept that is particularly close to his heart, calling the series a natural progression of his creative evolution.

Collaboration marks a new phase

Bandwaale has been co-created with musician and composer Ankur Tewari, signalling a fresh phase in Kirkire’s storytelling career as he expands beyond music and acting into long-form content creation.

Streaming date

The series is set to premiere on Prime Video on February 13.

Decorated career

Over the years, Kirkire has earned multiple National Film Awards  Best Lyrics for Bande Mein Tha Dum… Vande Mataram (Lage Raho Munna Bhai, 2006) and Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh (3 Idiots, 2009), followed by Best Supporting Actor for the Marathi film Chumbak in 2018.

More recently, he appeared in cameo roles in Panchayat 3 and Qala, contributing not only as an actor but also as a lyricist and singer, further showcasing his multifaceted talent.

Swanand Kirkire