On a positive note

Music is a channel that touches your soul and enables you to forget everything around you. No matter what culture or religion we belong to, everyone loves music. My favourite genres range from western classical to slow rock. I also love Pop and a some old Bollywood tracks.

What made you take up music and how did you start off?

Music has been a part of my family from many years. My grandmother taught me the basic lessons of Carnatic music after which I learnt the piano and guitar.
I was born in Thalessery, a beautiful small town situated on the Malabar coast of Kerala. A lot of foreigners used to visit my house and I used to play some Indian or western music for them. Unfortunately, after my father’s demise, we had some financial difficulties so I had to start working at a very young age. I still remember, we had an old pedal organ at my home, but due to our deficient financial condition we had to sell it. I had to give up music then, but my love for music didn’t reduce. So I formed two bands with my friends during my college days. One was a rock band titled Slick n Toxic while the other was a pure classical music band. Thus my musical career started as a Keyboard Player for Slick-n-Toxic, but my first major project was when I composed a jingle for National Paints.
After that I got an opportunity to work as programmer and background music producer with some renowned music directors like Ismail Darbar, Pritam and Sanjoy Chowdhury among others for movies like Bhaagam Bhaag, Tum Mile, Life In a Metro, Atithi Tum Kab Jaaoge, Golmaal, Bin Bulaye Baarathi and many others. My stint in the Bollywood industry started with the movie War Chhod Na Yaar, a comedy directed and written by Faraz Haider. I was solely directing and composing the film’s music which was a huge feat for me then.

What are your top three learning experiences while working with other music directors?

I think every Music Director has his own unique working style so I had the opportunity to adopt some of the best techniques from them. I learnt how to execute a project in the fastest and easiest way. You gain lot of confidence once you get to work with some of the biggest names in the industry so I really want to thank them for giving me the opportunity to work with them.

What has your contribution been towards the music of Ungli?

I have composed Ungli pe nachalein, a promotional track for Ungli. This song is actually the film’s anthem and features Emraan Hashmi grooving with some international models in his own unique style.

What kind of instruments were used for composing the track in Ungli?

I used more of electronic sounds with acoustic guitars, the mandolin and some percussions.

Name the most bizarre and amazing tracks that you have composed?

I am not sure about bizarre, but the most amazing track that I have composed is the Ungli track because the song has been a big break for me in Bollywood and it’s also every artist’s dream to work with a big production house like Dharma. I even learnt a lot of things while composing this track as Karan Johar Sir himself was actively involved while producing the song.

Which is the most queer instrument that you have used to compose any track?

I think it was for War Chhod Na Yaar and Jai Jawan. I had used four different rhythm patterns in one song itself with western symphony and some dubstep. I had also used a charang, an electric banjo and a trash can all in one song.

Is it difficult surviving in the music industry?

It depends on how you see the industry. Bollywood is a very competitive industry and you have to produce something new and unique each and every time—that is the only survival mantra here. I strongly believe in god and feel he will make things easy if you are talented enough.

Is there any pressure on you to come up with something new every time?

No, it isn’t pressure. We are here to produce something new every time, it’s our duty, our job. To give something new is not challenging, but if a producer demands that you create something similar to another chartbuster then it becomes difficult.

Where do you derive inspiration from when you face creative blocks or if you are looking to experiment?

I think god is the true source of all inspiration. Besides that I love to hear different types of music and I derive inspiration from there. Sometimes ideas strike me when I play some progressions on the piano or guitars.

What are your future projects that you have lined up?

I am in talks with three to four production houses, however nothing has yet been finalised.