4 min readMumbaiAug 22, 2014 01:00 AM IST
Ankit Tiwari
The makers of Singham Returns approached you for an additional track at the last moment. How did it all happen?
After the success of Galliyan from Ek Villain, the T-Series team approached me and explained that they wanted to add a romantic track in Singham Returns. I had one tune ready with some dummy lyrics, so I went to them and presented the same. After that, Rohit Shetty, Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor Khan heard the composition and I was told that they all liked my work. The composition was locked, keeping in mind the situation where it is set and I was asked to submit the shoot mix within 24 hours. The lyrics were added and I did my best to deliver a good piece.
Post the success of Ek Villain, how have things changed for you as an artist and as a person?
Well honestly, I am still the same person, although there has been a slight alteration in my personal life. My daily routine is getting hectic by the day and all my energies are focused on my work now. There are a couple of big projects lined up in the next two years. After delivering good work in the past, I feel much more responsible as an artist. There is immense pressure when it comes to delivering the songs on time. It is a mix of luck and hard work that has helped me get to the position where I am today.
Your compositions have always been in the soft, romantic space. Do you consider the genre as your trump card?
I guess so. The success of my compositions in Aashiqui 2 got me associated with the romantic space and that is definitely my biggest strength. There are some more similar tracks in the pipeline, which the audience would get to hear soon.
Is there any genre of music that you want to experiment with?
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For someone who started off by composing background score for soap operas and also worked on projects like Do Dooni Char and Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster, I have experimented with varied genres of music. It’s just that nowadays; you get to hear a lot of my contemporary compositions. But in the future, I would definitely love to create something with a base in Latin music.
Going back in time, what compelled you to take up music as a career?
I belong to a musical family. My father runs a musical group of his own, while my mother sings a lot of devotional songs at Jagrans. Together, they have performed at various local events in Kanpur. Since all my family members are in some way or the other associated with music, it naturally became an integral part of my life as well. I knew that I wanted to do this and nothing else. Later, I trained under Vinod Kumar Dwivediji and of course, there was a lot to learn from my parents as well.
What are the new projects that you are currently working on?
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As I mentioned, several projects are keeping me busy. There are two films starring Emraan Hashmi called Mr. X and Hamari Adhuri Kahaani, both of which are under the Vishesh Films banner. The other films include Roy, Yaara, Khamoshiyaan, Sonali Cable, Do, Alone, Lag Gayi Luck Ki among others, which will come out in the next one year. I am also busy with a few live shows and concerts.
Are you open to singing for other composers?
Everything depends on the requirement of the composition. I sing my own songs only if the makers feel I fit the bill. But, I love singing for others too. I am doing some projects only as a singer and it is great fun. I recently recorded songs for films like Ikkes Topon Ki Salaami and Raja Natwarlal.
Are you also looking at venturing outside Bollywood?
Of course! I sang the track Nillu Nillu in Dil Rangeela, a Kannada film and have also worked on a few other films down South. I am in talks for some more projects, which I will start working on very soon.
priya.adivarekar@expressindia.com
Ankit Tiwari