Mithoon, known for hits like Tum Hi Ho, Sanam Re and Tujhe Kitna Chahne Lage, is happy with the success of his music for Gadar 2, despite the controversy (music composer Uttam Singh had accused the film’s makers of using his work without permission).

He says, “I can only speak about my process of working on the movie’s music and adding my own element to it. I am happy with how the tracks turned out. As a kid, I always wanted to make music for films like this,” he says.

In a chat, the music composer and singer talks about his career milestones, equation with his wife (singer Palak Muchhal) and more.

I always wanted to be like my father (music director Naresh Sharma) and dreamt of becoming a composer. Madan Mohan, R D Burman and A R Rahman have been my heroes. As a 19-year-old commerce student, I got to record the song Woh Lamhe (Zeher), which became an overnight chartbuster and I never looked back after that. I followed it up with Tere Bin (Bas Ek Pal) and Maula Mere (Anwar), which are considered iconic today. But I feel like I’ve only begun.

When I entered the music scene, so many platforms did not exist. But I would have chosen to take the film route even if I were to debut today because I am a fan of films. I never wanted to make music just to become popular or for glamour. I was always a fan of Indian cinema. I get a lot of non-film offers from various labels, but I’m focusing more on film music.

I have explored playback singing and songwriting as well, but primarily, I love being a music composer. I love discovering new voices and feel proud that Atif Aslam, Arijit Singh, Mohammed Irfan and Shilpa Rao, some of the best singers that we have today, sang their first song with me.

Tum Hi Ho has really struck a chord with the audience in India and even outside the country, people still remember it. The song meant a lot to me emotionally because it was a tribute to my father, who was the music arranger for the first film of the Aashiqui franchise (in 1990). It was a special moment in my career.

Palak and I keep very busy and when we get some time together, we don’t talk about music. We talk about everything else. Ours was an arranged marriage, and we didn’t really date before our wedding. So, we are really catching up on our personal space now.

I love Hindustani classical music and listening to greats like Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Jasraj, Kumar Gandharva, Jagjit Singh ji. I feel a sense of fulfilment whenever I listen to them sing. There’s something so divine about the way they went about their music.

Mithoon’s father, Naresh Sharma, was responsible for the sound arrangement for the 1990 hit Aashiqui. Destiny played its part, and 23 years later, Sharma’s son, music composer Mithoon, came on board to work on the music of Aashiqui 2.

Mithoon initially did not tell his father about his involvement in the project. “That gave me a lot of space to work [on my own and not feel any more pressure than what I was already feeling] to recreate the magic with the second instalment. When the basic idea of the song was ready, I went up to him and told him about the news.”

So what did his father say? Mithoon shares his father “gave a very understated reaction”: “That’s because he is also my guru, and I can’t get very pally with him. However, after a few days, when he heard the final version of Tum Hi Ho as well as the instrumentals in the film, he called up Mohit Suri (director), who was in South Africa at that time, and said, ‘What my son has done for your film is better than the work of my entire career’.”

Mithoon says it was an extremely emotional moment, not just for him but also for Suri, as the entire team needed that pat on the back from someone as experienced as his father.

Tum Hi Ho went on to become a massive hit, with its popularity enduring to this day. When asked what makes the melody timeless, the composer says, “It’s the intention to not create history. All I tried was to work on an emotion I connected to.”

Mithoon, who is often requested to perform the song during his live shows, calls it the “most honest moment with his audience.”

“When all the barriers between me and my audience are broken and we are one, that’s when I perform Aashiqui. I never see it as a mere presentation to impress people. This song is beyond streaming numbers and awards for me, and when I perform it, I let people know that I am sharing a piece of my life with them,” he ends.

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Kumar Sanu and Anuradha Paudwal

My first interaction with Shravan, rather Nadeem-Shravan, was long before we collaborated on Aashiqui [1990]. I was told of this upcoming music composer duo with great potential and I remember recording two tracks with them. When they began work on Aashiqui, I came on board to render the songs. The film, the music, everything about it was magical. I garnered awards for Nazar Ke Saamne and it marked the beginning of many more chartbusters with Nadeem-Shravan. Even though recording a track was different from what it is nowadays due to technology, Shravan had this inherent knack to know what will click with the audience, and it always did.

During the ’90s, the soundtrack of every film they scored became a hit. Naresh Sharma collaborated as their music arranger. After recording a track with them, I always had this feeling that this one is going to be huge. Song after song, it was a success story for them.

Shravan was a jovial, humble person. He came from a music background, so rhythm was within him. For me, that was the golden era of music. I last met Shravan at an event over two years ago. His passing away has made me emotional and nostalgic. From singing Bahut Pyaar Karte Hain and Jiye Toh Jiye Kaise in Saajan [1991], Tumhein Apna Banaane Ki in Sadak [1991] and Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin and O Mere Sapne Ke Saudagar in Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin [1991], it was an endless list of chartbusters with them.

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Kumar Sanu, who has often collaborated with the dynamic duo, says he couldn’t catch up with his friend Shravan due to the Coronavirus pandemic. "The first song I rendered for Nadeem-Shravan was Nazar ke saamne. It was part of the music album, Chaahat, but was later used in the film Aashiqui [1991]. I met the music duo through Gulshan Kumar. As soon as they heard my voice during the recording, they told me, ‘Tiger awaaz hai’. They then started calling me Tiger. I often met Shravan, and he would still call me Tiger, but of late due to the pandemic, we could not meet."

How has your musical journey been?
It feels good that I have come so far and achieved success in my career. Music makes me happy. I have composed music that is close to my heart and never been influenced by trends. I have always been a musician on my own terms, which is extremely fulfilling. Each day, when I enter the studio, I am excited to compose something new.

How did Mar Jaayen happen?
Back in 2006, I was approached to compose a song for Bas Ek Pal. I had offered the makers three melodies - Tere Bin, Kuch Is Tarah and a melody that was more of a scratch. At that time, Girish Kumar would attend music sittings as he was working as an assistant in his company. While working on Loveshhuda, Girish still had that melody in his mind. He reminded me about it. At first, I couldn't recollect but later, I found the scratch. He wanted the song for his film. I connected with Sayeed Quadri saab who had penned the lyrics. We changed the words a little bit to give it a fresh appeal. Sayeed saab is one of the most prolific and substantial poets in the world today. We share a great rapport and enjoy working with each other.

You have collaborated with Atif Aslam again. What kind of an equation do you share with him?
I have always had a good time while working with Atif. He has sung my compositions really well and I love his voice. But at the same time, I am not hell-bent on working with a particular singer. For me, melody is the king. I am sure if I have a good melody, then any good singer can make it sound better.

What is the most important element while composing?
For me, the lyrics are the most important element in a song. The words are the face while the song and tune are heard by the audience at a subconscious level. People start connecting to the lyrics and the melody slowly seeps in. I have always focused on good lyrical content for all my songs. Now, I have started writing lyrics on my own and am enjoying this phase of my career.

When and how did you learn music?
I started learning music at the age of 11. My father (Naresh Sharma) was a leading music arranger. He has composed background music for over 200 films. Since my father was busy, he sent me to the right people to train myself. He used to observe me closely and would often see what I am practising. He listened to the tunes that I created. My father believed that to be a musician, you should listen to your inner self. No one can teach you how music composition is done. This helped me create my own style. The entire credit goes to him for showing me the right path when I was teenager.

When it comes to Bollywood music, which has been your favourite decade?
I grew up in the 90s and I am fond of that decade's music. At the same time, my father would make me hear the works of stalwarts like Madan Mohan, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Mohammed Rafi. But if I had to pick one decade, it would be the 70s as I enjoy listening to that era's music.

Are you a spiritual person?
I think faith can never be quantified. I don't necessarily connect with religion as I believe that God is the father of all mankind and loves everyone unconditionally.

Do you consciously keep a low profile?
I am an introvert. Crowd and noise are a complete turn off for me. I do not believe in the theory of out of sight, out of mind. So I do not see the need to attend all the parties in town. These things actually derail me for days which ultimately affect my work commitments.

Many composers are also judging reality shows but we haven't seen you in one of them.
I have been open to the idea of judging a reality show and to be honest, I have been approached quite often. But it's just that I am not convinced with the kind of circumstances in which they work.

Singles are making a big comeback. Would we see you doing one in the near future?
In our country, music is too attached to cinema so the trend of singles picking up again is a welcome change. I am happy about it. Ultimately, it is the music that is being appreciated. I have heard a few of the singles that have released in the last few months and they are good. I do have a couple of offers and in 2016 you will see me coming up with a few singles.