Showing posts with label Sanjeev Srivastava. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sanjeev Srivastava. Show all posts
You can't expect soul in Chaar Botal Vodka. It's all about demand and supply-Sanjeev Srivastava
7:51 AM
Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; May 16, 2014)
How did you foray into music?
I was always a good singer. In college, I won several competitions. In 1991, I met my dream composer, RD Burman. I managed to get his number and dialled it. His cook answered and gave me an appointment instantly. At the time, he was working on 1942: A Love Story and a lot of music greats were present at the session. He was amused to see a college boy talking about his inter-collegiate victories. I said I'd like to sing in front of him as I didn't have anything recorded. I sang his composition Diye Jalte Hain, which he liked. He advised me to meet other composers as he didn't have work. I told him even if it was one line, I wanted him to give me a break.
I was always a good singer. In college, I won several competitions. In 1991, I met my dream composer, RD Burman. I managed to get his number and dialled it. His cook answered and gave me an appointment instantly. At the time, he was working on 1942: A Love Story and a lot of music greats were present at the session. He was amused to see a college boy talking about his inter-collegiate victories. I said I'd like to sing in front of him as I didn't have anything recorded. I sang his composition Diye Jalte Hain, which he liked. He advised me to meet other composers as he didn't have work. I told him even if it was one line, I wanted him to give me a break.
A lot of meetings followed. One day, I learnt about his demise and I gave up the idea of entering the music industry. In 1995, I started frequenting Prithvi Theatre. One day, Anurag Kashyap asked us to compose for his play. After that, I started getting offers to compose for TV shows. I dropped out of an MBA course to pur sue these offers. I started composing for albums. My debut was with Jaspinder Narula in her debut album Kuch Kuch Dil Mein in 1998. While finishing this album, I was approached by the singer-duo Preeti-Pinki to compose for their debut album, which also became a hit. I got an offer from Meet Brothers to compose for their debut album. In early-2000, I got offers but the films got shelved after the music was composed. Soon, the non-film music scene died out.
In 2002, Sanjeev
Ratan, Vidhu Vinod Chopra's assistant for Kareeb and Mission: Kashmir,
approached me to compose for his movie. I completed eight songs, but 10
days before the shoot, I was informed that it had been shelved. I was
broken because I had approached Lataji, who had become very choosy by
then, to sing the title track.
What turned your career around?
I met Sai Kabir (the director of Revolver Rani) while trying to pitch a few songs for Kismet Konnection to Aziz Mirza. He was writing the screenplay and dialogues for it. Aziz liked a few songs but over time, I realised my songs wouldn't get used. Often there is pressure from actors and music companies, and I was a nobody. One fine day, Kabir narrated the script of Revolver Rani and asked me to compose the music. He wanted everything that wasn't happening in Bollywood right now.
Your music for the film travels eras...
Watching cinema as important as listening to its music. It helps you understand why a particular song was used in the background and why a particular mood had been created. The music travels from the 60s to the 90s. The character, which is played by Kangana Ranaut, has grown up to their music. People make love listening to Micheal Jackson or Madonna, she makes out with Vir Das in the movie listening to Nadeem-Shravan.
You convinced Asha Bhosle to sing for you!
I approached her, but wasn't sure she'd accept. She
said that while my composition was original, the feel was the same as
SD Burman's Raat Akeli Hai.That was exactly what I had visualised. She blessed me after the dubbing, saying she's been given a melodious song after many years.
Is unconventional music in?
Jo accept ho gaya woh in, jo nahi woh out. One has to think beyond the conventional. If I make a ghazal tomorrow and want to break the rules, I'd approach Honey Singh to sing it. It will stir up curiosity as that's not his genre.
Jo accept ho gaya woh in, jo nahi woh out. One has to think beyond the conventional. If I make a ghazal tomorrow and want to break the rules, I'd approach Honey Singh to sing it. It will stir up curiosity as that's not his genre.
You like to break norms?
Yes, totally. I have been thinking about it for the longest time. But before Honey Singh, I will ask Rekhaji to sing a cabaret for me, even though she mostly sings Sufi songs. It won't be a cheap cabaret, though.
What's your take on double-meaning lyrics?
I am not against anything. You never know if I end up doing one if the offer comes from an established production house. But I would want to compose something that my family would be proud of. You never know what makes you famous. But personally, I'd like to work with those who understand and believe in my music. There was a time when content had become cheap but today's item numbers are pleasant. Double meaning was always there even in old songs, but they never sounded vulgar.
Quality over success for you?
Totally. Had I been successful 15 years back, it would have gone to my head. I am glad God made me struggle as he knew I would become snooty.Also, good music doesn't guarantee success. Sometimes, what you think is average becomes a hit.
How does it feel to know that the music is more successful than the film itself?
I feel fortunate to begin my career with this movie. It will be a lesson to all aspiring directors in the coming years. A debutant director breaks all the rules and creates his own genre. Music was a part of Revolver Rani and not the other way around. You can't satisfy everyone.
How flexible are you as a composer?
I take a lot of inputs from my singers and technicians. I am a singer first and only 10 percent of a composer and they help me with the remaining 90 percent. I give them the cue track and tell them to follow it or give me a better version. I don't like my singer in front of the mic for more than an hour. More the attempts, the more mechanical it sounds. I usually wrap a song in half an hour flat.
Music greats often complain that the soul is missing in today's music. Your thoughts?
You can't expect soul in Chaar Botal Vodka. It's all about demand and supply. You can't expect a Kabira in Ragini MMS 2.
Anurag Kashyap can’t sing or compose, but he has a good music sense-Piyush Mishra
7:50 AM
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.
Kumar Sanu replaced in Revolver Rani song after disagreement with T-Series
7:48 AM
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 26, 2014)
Keeping up with the spirit of the 90’s, which Revolver Rani celebrates, the makers roped in Kumar Sanu to sing a special track. The singer agreed and landed up at the studio to record the song Bol Rahi Hai Payal. It was composed by Sanjeev Srivastava. Everything was finalised and the song was almost incorporated into the film’s scene, till a contractual hiccup cropped up and the song recorded by the '90s sensation had to be dropped.
Revealed a source, “The makers wanted the song to be a tribute to the '90s. But Kumarji refused to sign the T-Series contract. He was surprised by the various clauses and refused to give in. As a result, the makers were left in a lurch but luckily found a quick replacement.”
Mumbai Mirror has learnt that the makers got hold of a singer, who “sounded exactly like Kumar Sanu”, Avi Dutta. He was flown in from Kolkata after a common friend informed the music director that Avi had a voice similar to that of Kumar Sanu.
Speaking from Kuala Lumpur, Kumar Sanu confirmed the news. “The contract said I won’t even be able to sing the track in concerts. How can they stop me from singing my own song?” he reasoned.
While Srivastava said, “We really wanted Kumar Sanu’s voice as there is a song in the film relating to every decade. But he had his concerns as far as the contract was concerned. Fortunately, we found Avi who has done a great job with Bol Rahi Hai Payal.”
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