One-half of the singer-composer duo of siblings Salim–Sulaiman, Salim Merchant is not only a well-known name in the Bollywood music industry but has also created waves with his independent creations. Most recently, he collaborated with playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan and others to create a melodious anthem dedicated to caregivers. An initiative by CareGiveShare, ‘a platform dedicated to building a compassionate caregiver ecosystem’, the track is a “musical tribute to recognise and celebrate the spirit of caregiving and our gratitude to the selfless spirit of caregivers around the world.”
In an email interaction with indianexpress.com, Salim Merchant opened up about the collaborative song, his creative process, his journey of over three decades, and the burgeoning non-film independent music industry in India. Read the edited excerpts below.
Tell us about ‘Khayaal Rakhna’.
When Nikhil Arora (founder, CareGiveShare) approached me about the project, I immediately connected with it. Caregivers selflessly devote their lives to looking after others, and our collaboration embodies the idea that they also deserve profound care and support. We believe there should be greater dialogue within the caregiving community, and hence we came up with the song Khayaal Rakhna, which literally translates to ‘take care’.
What approach do you adopt when composing a non-film song? How different is the creative process?
Quite honestly, I never look at composing a song differently. The creative process and the love put into any song are pretty much the same. When composing for a film, you have a storyline and characters; similarly, composing an anthem for a topic that is a rare subject requires an equal amount of attention and emotion, in fact, a little more. I realised this even more strongly during the latest project.
Coming to your film-oriented work, how would you describe your journey? Have you reached the bar you had set for yourself?
The day you feel that you have reached that bar will probably become the end of your career! I’ve never looked at music as a profession; it’s been my passion. I’ve never looked at music as a task. I’ve always looked at it as a form of art.
You have fantastic chemistry with your brother, but working with someone can often lead to a clash of ideas — how have you both managed to overcome such challenges?
It’s been 32 years now in the industry. We figured out our roles as composers and as partners. A lot of people know that I handle the melodic side of things and he does the rhythmic side. So, when rhythm and melody meet — it’s music to everyone. Having said that, there are differences, and it is those differences that help us make better music.
A lot has changed since you started in the industry. How easy/difficult is it for musicians today vis-à-vis your time?
Change is the only constant and we’ve always focused on making good music rather than hit music because I firmly believe that when you make a good song, there is a big chance for the song to become a hit! It’s fun to see the changes that happen in the music industry, every two years. It’s great to witness all this and embrace it!
These days, the independent music scene is huge. Though you are a part of it now, did you ever perceive it to be a threat?
The realm of independent music empowers us, as creators, to come together and collaborate for causes that hold deep meaning to us. It’s truly liberating. Even in the context of this campaign, we found a way to express profound gratitude through the medium of music. This is what artists are passionate about — sharing narratives that are dear to our hearts. Indeed, there used to be only a film industry. But now there is a massive independent music scene which is as strong as the film music industry.
With the music industry ever evolving, how do you ensure to keep up with the trends yet maintain your distinct style?
I never make any extraordinary efforts to create music. It comes very naturally. Very grateful that people like what we create and give us so much love for it.
Remixes have become the norm these days. While some songs are loved, others are often criticised for tampering with the original. Where do you stand in this debate, and what do you think should be kept in mind when working on a remixed version of a song?
I hate remakes, especially when they have no purpose. For example, a Delhi-6 song if remade for Delhi-7 would make sense since it’s a sequel. But if it’s not a sequel or has nothing to do with the story, then there is no point in using a Delhi-6 song for any other film in any context. There are so many incredible composers in our country, and I do get upset when their creativity and originality is not used.
Your favourite genre of music, and what do you like about it best?
Orchestral music; it has many emotions.
In today’s era, how would you rate non-film music?
Non-film music is undeniably thriving and making waves in the music industry. It offers a dynamic and diverse landscape which celebrates artistic freedom, innovation, and direct connections with audiences. The collaboration for these can be far reaching. For instance, while creating Khayaal Rakhna, we were able to get beautiful voices like Sunidhi, Pawandeep Rajan, Vijay Prakash to sing for us. It also presents an opportunity to find new voices like Aryana Arora. Non-film music breaks any and all barriers in the pursuit of creativity and it’s an exciting time to be a part of this genre. The words independent and freedom are synonymous to each other. There is so much freedom in creating independent music that it gives the composer and listener a lot of joy.
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Non-film music is undeniably thriving and making waves in the music industry, Salim Merchant said. (Photo: Salim Merchant/Instagram) 
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