Piyush Mishra on singing three tracks for Revolver Rani,being too lazy to bring out an album and why he hasn’t written an item number in a long time
Krutika Behrawala (BOMBAY TIMES; May 9, 2014)

These days, Bollywood songs have strong Sufi and Punjabi flavours but your Revolver Rani tracks — Thaayein Kare Katta, Chal Lade Re Bhaiyaand Chanda Ki Katori Hai (Lorie) — are retro folk. Is this your comfort zone?
I only get offered these type of songs, I don’t get offered run-of-the-mill songs. I would definitely like to try them once — though I am not sure how good or bad I would be. My genre of music is more modern Indian theatre music. For instance, most of the songs I’ve composed — be it Ik Bagal in Gangs Of Wasseypur or the songs from Gulaal — are from the plays that I worked on during my theatre days at National School of Drama. I like to sing them in such a way that the song tells a story. Plus, there are a lot of pitch changes in these type of songs. For instance, the lyrics Thaayein kare katta, dhakk dhani se, chaaku ghuse chhaati mein, phuck dhani se has high stress points and cannot be sung in a straightforward manner. I am very comfortable with that.

How did Thaayein Kare Katta happen?
Initially, it was supposed to be the film’s title track, but after Revolver Rani was composed, the makers felt that that one suited better as the title track. Of course, Thaayein Kare Katta was equally liked but didn’t get space in the film. So, they used it in the promos. I won’t remember Revolver Rani because of my songs, but because of my acting in the film.

Being a music composer, did you change anything in Sanjeev Srivastava’s compositions for Revolver Rani?
No. He has created the songs and he is the boss. I have been given a song because he wants my style of singing. Toh main apni shakal gaane ko pehnata hoon. Apart from that, I don’t tamper with the composition at all.

Post Gulaal, you haven’t composed a full-fledged movie album. Why?
I haven’t received any such offers. I believe the kind of music I make has very few takers.

Is it important for a director to have a musical sense?
It helps. Anurag (Kashyap) can’t sing or compose, but he has a good music sense, and more importantly, cinema sense. One should know how to use music in cinema. I’ve worked with Vishal Bhardwaj in Maqbool, who being a composer himself, has great music sense.

Among the contemporary lot, who are your favourite lyricists and music directors?
Amitabh Bhattacharya and Swanand Kirkire write good lyrics, but I can’t think of any good contemporary music directors. My favourites will always be old-timers RD Burman sahab, Jaidev sahab and Salil Chowdhury. I have taken inspiration from them. Their songs are everlasting. The new songs don’t have too much shelf life.

Were you naturally inclined towards music since you belong to Gwalior, known for gharanas and classical music?
I was fond of music since childhood. I started out by playing the sitar for four years with a famous troupe in Gwalior, Little Ballet Troupe. After that, I played the violin for a year and also, began singing. I am not sure when I discovered that I could write and after a point, didn’t bother to find out.

Considering you’re multi-talented, have you thought of bringing out your own music album?
Initially, I did have plans, but I am too lazy. I don’t work until someone puts a gun to my head. I am not that ambitious. Whatever has happened is because of destiny and God.

Would you be comfortable writing an item song?
After Ranaji (Gulaal) became popular, I did get a lot of offers to write item numbers. But I was unable to write them, because none of the makers justified their presence in the film. I can't write such songs without a reason.