By Debina Bose
A four-time national award winning music composer,
a playback singer and an incredible performer,
Shankar Mahadevan has made his mark in Bollywood. He is part of the acclaimed trio of Shankar Ehsaan Loy that has conquered billions of hearts with
chartbuster performances from Dil Chahta Hai, Kal Ho Na Ho, Taarer Zameen Par, Rock On and My Name Is khan to the recent 2 States and Kill Dill. In the city to
perform at a musical concert, the maestro took time out for a chat with Debina Bose. Excerpts:
From Dil Chahta Hai to Kill Dill, how has your musical journey been?
It’s been a progressive journey throughout. You start off with no baggage in the beginning but as you move on you come across new people, work with new directors, producers, meet friends and leave behind a legacy of songs that will stay forever. I completed my engineering studies but the sheer love for my music brought me to where I stand today. We (Shankar, Ehasan, Loy) never thought that coming from different backgrounds we would unite to produce some great music.
Music of movies like Salaam-E-Ishq and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom have been chartbusters though the films tanked at the box office. How much effect does a film’s success have on the music?
Music is synonymous with any movie. It’s important for the promotion of the movie. People associate movies with music first as it premiers earlier. Music also forms an integral part of Indian culture. We feel happy that despite some films tanking, the music managed to stand out.
You have worked on non-film projects such as Chittagong and Delhi Safari and social projects as well. How does the experience differ from working with Bollywood movies?
It’s all music at the end of the day. For us it is not mandatory for a movie to be a blockbuster or hailing form a big production house. We gladly accept non-film and projects for a social cause as there is no hindrance if you are creatively bound. Non-film and regional projects keeps us energised and enable us to expand our creative boundaries. Our aim is to leave a mark with any work we do.
You have performed internationally as well. What difference do you find in the audience’s reaction to accepting the music?
I have performed internationally as a Bollywood artist and also as a fusion artist with maestros like Zakir Hussain and U Srinivas. When I perform in Bollywood it’s primarily Indians and Asians who are present in the audience but when I perform Indian and classical music, surprisingly it comprises of 80 per cent foreigners. So I believe our classical music is truly the global form of music.
It has been a long time since your last album ‘Instant Karma’ as a trio.
We did not get time as we get so preoccupied with Bollywood projects. Adequate time is required for composing a music album and later promoting it. We hope to bring something different with our new album.
What about upcoming projects?
We are working in Zoya Akhtar’s next film Dil Dhadakne Do, Nikhil Advani’s next project Katti Batti, Ghayal Returns ,Rock on 2. It’s a endless journey.
What are the compositions for which you enjoyed working?
I loved working in movies such as Tare Zameen Par, Salaam-e-Ishq, Kal Ho Na Ho, Rock On, Luck By Chance. Unless I can give my heart and soul to a movie, music doesn’t come to me.
How do you feel performing for the first time in the capital city of Orissa?
I am just really looking forward to the performance. Orissa being a culturally vibrant state is brimming with singing talent and I am glad that classical music is still prevalent and worshiped here. I wish I had time to see the city, though next time I’ll make it a point to do so.