Stories have the power to outlive the moment they are told in. Long after the lights dim and the credits roll, it is often the words, the quiet, unseen labour of writers that remains. Yet, in an industry obsessed with stars and spectacle, the people who shape these words are often left in the shadows.
But some writers refuse to stay there.
The journey of Siddharth Singh and Garima Wahal is a reminder that storytelling, when rooted in purpose, can reshape not just cinema, but conversations in society.
From lyrics to larger stories
Before they became known for hard-hitting narratives, the duo began as lyricists, crafting songs that carried emotional depth and poetic resonance. Their early collaborations with Sanjay Leela Bhansali on films like Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela and Bajirao Mastani placed them at the heart of some of Bollywood’s most visually rich cinematic worlds.
Before scripts and screenplays, their words first found life in lyrics that added emotional depth to grand cinematic worlds.
Photograph: (Instagram/@siddharthgarima)
But even amidst grandeur, their words stood out for their emotional honesty. And slowly, that honesty began to demand a bigger canvas.
Transitioning from lyricists to screenwriters wasn’t just a professional shift; it was a deliberate choice to tell fuller, more meaningful stories.
When cinema meets social change
That intent found powerful expression in Toilet: Ek Prem Katha — a film that brought India’s sanitation crisis into mainstream discourse.
At its core, the film tackled the very real issue of open defecation and the lack of toilets in rural India, topics rarely addressed in commercial cinema. What made the story stand out was not just its subject but also its accessibility. Siddharth and Garima managed to weave a sensitive issue into a narrative that was engaging, emotional, and relatable.
However, the journey to the screen wasn’t easy.
The script reportedly faced multiple rejections over the years, with many considering it ‘too unconventional’ for a mainstream audience. But the duo persisted, holding on to the belief that important stories deserve to be told, even if they take time to find their space.
With Dukaan, they step behind the camera, exploring the layered realities of surrogacy with sensitivity and intent. Photograph: (IB Times India)
When the film was finally released, it didn’t just entertain; it sparked conversations about hygiene, dignity, and behavioural change, aligning closely with broader national conversations on sanitation.
For Siddharth and Garima, it became proof that cinema can be both impactful and commercially viable.
The invisible backbone of Bollywood
Despite their growing success, the duo has consistently highlighted how writers remain undervalued in the film industry.
They’ve famously described writers as the ‘farmers of Bollywood’ — those who sow the seeds of stories, often without receiving due recognition. It’s a metaphor rooted in truth. Behind every powerful film lies years of unseen effort, drafts, and resilience.
Their own journey reflects this reality from navigating rejections, industry biases, and a system that often prioritises star power over storytelling.
And yet, they continue to advocate for the craft, calling dialogue writing one of the most underrated aspects of filmmaking.
A new chapter: Stepping behind the camera
After years of shaping stories for others, Siddharth and Garima took a bold new step with their directorial debut in 2024, with Dukaan.
The film explores the complex and often controversial subject of surrogacy, delving into the emotional and ethical dilemmas surrounding it. Much like their earlier work, Dukaan reflects their inclination towards stories that sit at the intersection of society and sensitivity.
Stepping into direction allowed them greater creative control, not just over the narrative, but over how it is visually and emotionally experienced.
It also marked an evolution: from writers who shaped stories to storytellers who now bring their vision to life in its entirety.
Choosing purpose over formula
Whether it’s contributing to films like Kabir Singh for screenplays, writing lyrics for large-scale productions, or exploring socially driven themes, Siddharth and Garima’s body of work reflects both range and intent.
Behind every powerful film lies unseen labour, a reality the duo continues to highlight in an industry driven by stardom.
Photograph: (Instagram/@iifa)
What sets them apart is their refusal to follow a formula.
Instead, they lean into stories that matter and stories that may be uncomfortable but are necessary to be told. These may not just aim for applause but also for impact.
Today, Siddharth and Garima represent a new kind of Bollywood storyteller, one that blends craft with conscience.
Their journey is not just about moving from lyrics to scripts, or from writing to direction. It is about evolving into voices that question, provoke, and inspire.
In a world flooded with content, their work restores faith in depth-driven storytelling.
