Upala KBR (DNA; January 12, 2016)

After giving music for action-dramas like Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Dilwale, music composer Pritam Chakraborty has now decided to focus on romantic films only. He is currently scoring the music for Aamir Khan’s Dangal and Ranbir Kapoor’s Jagga Jasoos. He tells us why he’s off action-dramas for the time being.

Why don’t you want to do music for action films?
I feel I am more comfortable composing the music for romantic films. I love doing songs like Gerua and Janam Janam in Dilwale as they survive longer than a fast track or an item song. Romantic songs are important for the film and keep playing throughout the film and they give meaning to a film. You don’t need to do only fast tracks to get a good opening for a film. Koi bhi gana hit hoga toh film hit hoga. I want to do dark, edgy romantic songs like I have done so many with the Bhatts. It’s my homeground which I can go back to anytime.

What will Dangal’s music be like?
I can’t tell you much about it as I have signed an NDA (non-disclosure agreement). All I can say is that the film is not so dependent on music as the script is so powerful! I am very excited about composing the music because of Aamir Khan. He is involved in the music every step of the way along with director Nitesh Tiwari. We have had music sessions at Aamir’s home in Panchgani. It’s situational music and very different.

Are you happy with the reactions to Dilwale’s music?
I am very happy with the reactions. With Gerua and Janam Janam becoming such big hits, I am more convinced about sticking to romantic songs only. I spent just one-and-a-half hours composing Gerua and that’s the time it took for Shah Rukh to come from his home in Bandra to my studio in Oshiwara to listen to it. He was as involved as Rohit Shetty in the music.

Is the music of Jagga Jasoos complete?
Composing the music of this film has been very difficult. It’s one of the most difficult films that I am working on because there’s no template for that kind of music. Contrary to reports, the film doesn’t have 24 songs. There are regular romantic tracks between Ranbir and Katrina. It’s not an intensely, romantic film but is interesting because of the treatment. I am composing for Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil where all my tracks are romantic. I have been composing for the last 12 years, then I took a break. Now I want to concentrate on films where the soundtrack is important and defines the film — where music is an integral part of the film.