Interview : Anu Malik enroute to success

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Posted: 18 years ago

Interview : Anu Malik enroute to success

While the critics wrote away music director Anu Malik, he emerges once again with lots of success to his credit. He revives back his position once more with the music of 'Jai Santoshi Maa', 'Zindaggi Rocks' with 'Jaan-E-Mann' adding feather to his cap. With 'Umrao Jaan' lining up for release, things are looking upbeat and brighter for him. We talk to him on his second coming, success and forthcoming releases.

Excerpts from the Interview:

Jaan-e-mann is scaling to the top of the charts and has opened to great reviews. What is your take on that?

Indeed I'm feeling very great, emotional and good about it. When people like your hard work and appreciate your efforts, it is a good feeling altogether. I've been working hard on my music since last 2 years and the efforts are showing. The music is on the top of the charts. It is good news for me and my producer Sajid who has great faith in me. Our association goes back to the days of Judwaa and Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega. Also this is director Shirish Kunder's first film and I'm glad that I didn't let him down. Also it's good for Salman Khan and me as we share good rapports.

How is the music of Jaan-e-mann?

I would say that the music is such that you cannot put it under a specific genre. You cannot categories it under alternative music, hip-hop or jazz. Specifically it is plain great music. It is necessary for the composer to know the script well before he composes the music of the film. That helped me a great deal to compose the music, as the story of the film is itself very good. It is an emotional film made in a novel manner and deserved nothing less than great melodies that are fresh for the ears. 'Ajnabee Shaher Hai' has clicked with the audience. 'Sau Dard Hai' is an emotional number but different and 'Ud Jana' is a peppy track designed for Salman. There is a marriage song but it is not the typical Bollywood kind. My efforts were ably assisted by Gulzar saab. The songs turned more melodic and better because of his efforts. The music makes a place in your heart, is built as per the script and everything related to it lives up to expectations.

What role did director Shirish Kunder play in the music?

If you've a director besides you who understands music, your job as a composer is half done. Shirish Kunder was very specific about the kind of music that he wanted from his film. He is the writer, director and editor of the film and knew the situations very well. I used to record 15 tunes for him and he would put it in his laptop and came back telling me what he liked and what he didn't. He didn't give away his emotions. He insisted on new sound and great melody but very different. I am very happy to work with Shirish. Also producer Sajid and I have a beautiful understanding. He has a keen sense of music and we understand each other.

What are your expectations for JP Dutta's Umrao Jaan?

J.P. Dutta is a family for me. He stood by me and believed in my music in Border, Refugee and LOC. After he planned the film he approached me to compose for him. The earlier film has great music and he chose me at the time when I was almost diminishing. He wanted it to be my version and I hope I come 5% closer to the earlier Umrao Jaan then I will be blessed.

You are also composing the background score for a film after a long time?

J.P Dutta insisted that I should be totally committed to the project. When I was doing the third song I too felt that I should do the background song. I finished the background and I worked equally hard on it. I am open to doing the background score for movies but you need the motivation and the time from some one like J.P saab.

Your daughter Anmol has sung a song for the film. Will we hear her singing as a professional singer in the future?

Anmol is an innate singer and is grooming herself in singing since a very young age. She loves learning, writes her own songs in English and is inclined towards western music. J.P. Dutta heard her and wanted her to sing for the young Aishwarya. She agreed to do the song excitedly and though it was a very tough song she finished it in 16-17 minutes.

You're composing something very diverse in Jaan-e-mann and Umrao Jaan.

That's true, Jaan-e-mann is contemporary while Umrao Jaan is classical. Once again it highlights that I can deliver all kinds of music. It was a challenge and I took it as a test. I composed tracks that would grow popular, would contribute to the films and not just being played at the clubs.

Another latest arrival Zindaggi Rocks is also doing well. How do you feel?

It was possible because Tanuja Chandra has a good sense of music. My favorites from the album are Humko Choone Paas Aayiye, Ek Din Fursat Mein and Lets Rock the Charts Baliye. Meri Dhoop Hai Tu is a hit. The music of the film surely lives up to the title rocks. But I didn't prefer loud music for the film and so I combined rock and melody. The music is selling well and the songs are scoring the charts.

Amidst the rocking albums, you gave a shocking pleasure with the devotional album Jai Santoshi Maa.

It's an honour for me that I have been chosen to compose for Jai Santoshi Maa. I've grown up hearing the music of the original film. The earlier songs were huge hit and so it was a challenge to live up to the expectations. I am very excited about the music of Jai Santoshi Maa. It feels good seeing that people are appreciating the Aarti. This will be my first film to release followed by Jaanemann, Umrao Jaan and Woodstock Villa.