Jatin-Lalit’s last score together

The Swan Song

M ere Haath Mein Tera Haath', sing Sonu Niigaam and Sunidhi Chauhan to JatinLalit's tunes in Fanaa. But the composer brothers are not walking hand in hand any more, having parted ways even before the film's music was released, highlighting a growing trend in the music industry.

Towards the end of the 1980s, when action flicks gradually gave way to romantic films, new musical talent was mak ing inroads in Bollywood. Among them were Jatin and Lalit, the Pandit brothers who debuted with Yaara Dildaara (1991). With their second offering, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, they entered the big league and consolidated their position with films like Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander and Khiladi. Like most success sto ries, Jatin-Lalit too had their off days, which lasted from 1993 through 1995 with films like Ashaant, Hanste Khelte and Cheetah. It was only in October 1995 with Yash Raj Films' Dilwale Dul hania Le Jayenge that the Pandit brothers returned to centrestage. From then on, the duo delivered at least a couple of hit film scores every year.

One controversy surrounding the duo was when Karan Johar decided to sign up a second music composer, (Sandesh Shandilya) for Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, as he allegedly was not too happy with their work.

Said to be largely responsible for bringing melody back into film music, the brothers have parted ways after 15 years of working together. Fanaa will be their last tango in Bollywood. While some in dustry folks attribute their parting to grow ing creative differences, others blame monetary disputes for their separation.

'A WONDERFUL JOURNEY' When did differences first creep between the two of you? What were the issues?

Jatin: I don't wish to talk about all that now. All I can say that it was a wonderful journey together, we composed some really fantastic music together.

Lalit: Let's not talk about that. I thought we're only talking about the music of Fanaa. Couldn't you arrive at an amicable solution since you're brothers?

Jatin: We don't have any enmity with each other. Lalit is my younger brother and I wish him all the very best in life. Our professional association might have ended, but our relationship as brothers is forever.

Lalit: Well, probably, they could have been sorted, probably not. Jatin is my elder brother and I'm sure he loves me. That relationship can never end. Who knows, in future we might work together. Now that the brand name has been divided, what films are you working on?

Jatin: I won't say I'm flooded with offers. I'm working on a couple of films for my friend, filmmaker Deepak Sareen.

Lalit: I'm composing for Bidhaatar Lekha, a Bengali film, produced by Rani Mukerji's parents, and directed by her brother Raja. There's also a Marathi film, besides a couple of albums with Tips. How do you plan to cope with the rivalry that will come up after the split?

Jatin: I guess it's inevitable, because people would want to compare one to the other.

Lalit: People will see us as rivals as now we're working individually. But Jatin is a wonderful composer with his own style which no one can imitate.

Other melody-maker duos of the last two decades Nikhil-Vinay: The duo began in 1991 and have done about 20 films. Anand-Milind: The sons of composer Chitragupt made their debut in 1984, and after Qayamat se Qayamat Tak (1998) there was no looking back. Amar-Utpal: The sons of Anil Biswas have done films like Shahenshah.

Nadeem-Shravan: Nadeem and Shravan did their first film in 1979, but Aashiqui (1990) catapulted them into the limelight. Their latest film was Dosti- Friends Forever.

Take 5- 'Split' ends on the international music scene

1 George Michael and Andrew Ridgely put an end to Wham! in 1986. While Michael turned poster boy for lewd behaviour involving policemen in public toilets, Ridgely was flushed out.

2 Robbie Williams followed Michael's example with a cover of Freedom when Take That split in 1997. His career now includes several hits, a film role and sold out concerts.

3 Sting told us he'd be watching every step we take.

But The Police lost the plot somewhere along the way. Sting retreated to his estate in Tuscany, and appeared in more TV sitcoms than songs.

4 Spice Girls ended their girlpowered screeches in 2000 after Spiceworld flopped. Posh married Becks, Baby outgrew her image, Geri found yoga and the rest are still struggling.

5 Ozzy Osbourne ate live bats, defecated in elevators and took Japanese groupies to bed when his wife was still in it. Reality-TV life after Black Sabbath isn't as much fun.

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Oh no! Why are they splitting? I liked their music so much. Undoubtedly their best was "Pehla Nasha Pehla Khumaar". That song can just make anyone feel like a teenager in love once again.

Also loved the songs in "Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani" especially "tu yaar tu dildaar tu".