Interview : I was both nervous and elated

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Posted: 18 years ago

Interview : I was both nervous and elated: Anu Malik

Composing music for J.P. Dutta's 'Umrao Jaan' was an acid test for Anu Malik who was both nervous and elated when the project was offered to him.

'When I was told by J.P. Dutta that he was making 'Umrao Jaan' and that I will be giving the music, I was a mixed bag of emotions. On the one hand, I was experiencing extreme elation and on the other hand, huge fear,' Malik told us in an interview.

'It hit me that the music of the earlier 'Umrao Jaan' was a big rage and I am a worshipper of Khayyam saab, who gave the music for it. I wondered if I could do justice. I looked into J.P. Dutta's eyes and could see the trust he had reposed in me.

'I did not want to let him down when he was entrusting me with such an important project. In any case, the hard work and commitment that one sees in J.P. Dutta acts as a big motivator. His very presence is enough to bring out the best in me like it happened with 'Border' and 'LOC'. So, I switched on right into 'Umrao Jaan' and the quest for perfection began.'

While composing one of the most prestigious projects of his life, Malik was going through one of the worst phases of his personal life.

'It was a strange time for me. On one hand, my father was dying and on the other we were having the music sittings for the film. Somewhere, my own pain helped me to translate Umrao Jaan's pain into music. There were times I would be at a loss, but then promptly I would think of Umrao Jaan and the block would vanish.'

Malik went the extra mile to make the music melodious.

'There are things that I have done for the music of this film that I have never done before. I have played out the full songs on the harmonium, sat with the lead singer for hours explaining every single note and idea, sat with the sound designers.'

Though Malik hasn't been able to do a better job than Khayyam, he hasn't disappointed either.

'I was certain that I did not want to be influenced by any previous work. Moreover, the music had to be contemporary but of course within certain parameters to lend authenticity. For instance, one had to use the sarangi and the 'todas' and 'harkats' had to be there.

'J.P. Dutta had clearly told me, 'Meri Umrao naachegi!'(I want my Umrao to dance). Accordingly, to complement this vision the music was created. Besides giving the music, I have also created the background music of the film; something that I have not done for 18 years. So, it has been a dual challenge.'

Malik is pretty satisfied with his work in the film because when fast paced tracks are a rage, he got an opportunity to do something different.

'No artist is ever satisfied with his work. But with 'Umrao Jaan' I feel I have reached a level unknown to me. Today's music has been murdered by lack of creativity and remixes. Seems as if now music is meant only for health clubs and discotheques. In a fast paced 'chalta hai' time, it is a rare opportunity to get to do this difficult genre of ghazals. Hopefully, with this film I raise my bar.'

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Interview : I was both nervous and elated

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