SANDEEP CHOWTA

‘Jungle didn’t need any songs...
but the distributors insisted’
The haunting background score of Satya turned the spotlight on Sandeep Chowta. So happy was the film’s director Ramgopal Verma with the score that after his fallout with AR Rahman, it was to Chowta that Verma turned to compose the music for his next film, Kaun. Chowta rose to the occasion, and once again his background music for this psychological thriller was so good that it became the third character in this songless drama. Followed Mast, another chart-topping score, and then Jungle. Today, Verma and Chowta have become an inseparable team, and it is no longer surprising that he is the music director of Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya..., a Ramgopal Verma production. We caught up with the dapper composer hours before he was flying back to his home base, Chennai, to talk about his professional bonding with Ramgopal Verma, his personal friendship with Sushmita Sen and his recent association with Alisha Chinai, who is the singing star of the pop album that he is producing. Excerpts:

“Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya... was more of a challenge than Mast and Jungle because songs here are essential to the story. They’re different from my usual songs”

“If Mr Verma thinks that a song interrupts the flow of the narrative, it is axed. I’ve lost so many good songs on the editing table”

Tell us something about your latest film, Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya...?
(With a dimpled smile) You tell me how you find my songs in the film? The film is a suspense thriller, a romantic triangle, so there was a lot of scope for me to showcase my versatility. I’m pretty happy with the way the music has shaped up. They’re playing the title song these days in the promos and it is fast catching on.

What kind of brief does Ramgopal Verma give you when you were working on the score?
Mr Verma tells a story very well, and that’s a big help when you are composing the music. He’s constantly with you, briefing you on the different situations. We always record one song at a time, as the film progresses, depending on the need for a song. If Mr Verma thinks that a song interrupts the flow of the narrative, it is axed. I’ve lost so many good songs on the editing table, but I know they’re edited out in the interest of the film and I have no complaints. In fact, I personally thought Jungle didn’t need any songs. Do pyar karnewale... certainly looked out of place. But the distributors insisted on retaining it. I guess they were looking at the commercial aspect. Also, a music company needs songs to promote. And Do pyar karnewale was too good a song to lose, so we let it be and it turned out to be a hit.

The songs of Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya... and Ramgopal Verma’s earlier films seem to have been composed keeping a red-hot Urmila Matondkar in mind.
(Laughing) No, nothing like that. But yes, Mr Verma describes the look of every character in detail. And he did give me a clue about Urmila’s sensuality in this film. The beauty of working with him is that you are always a part of his team and know exactly how the film is shaping up. Everyone is involved with every discussion and we all take turns deciding which song suits which character.

After Satya there were great expectations from you, but the music of Mast and Jungle lacked mass appeal.
I don’t agree. The music of Mast did quite well and even the songs of Jungle were well-liked by the masses. I need to work on a musical now to really prove myself.

Mast was a musical, wasn’t it?
It was a kind of musical and I gave a different feel to the songs. They were very pop, very Western. But to be honest, Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya... was more of a challenge than Mast and Jungle because songs here are essential to the story. They’re different from my usual songs. I hope they work.

Your music seems more pop-oriented and less filmi. Doesn’t this restrict their appeal?
I have grown up listening to pop, jazz, Western classical music and RD Burman. This is the kind of music I’ve been inspired and influenced by. I’m happy and proud if someone points out that a particular song of mine reminds them of one of RD Burman’s. If I’m comfortable with this kind of music, I see no reson to consciously change my style, when there is no guaranteed formula for success for film music. The audience wants entertainment so you have to give them songs with melody and rhythm which have been sung well. I really enjoyed recording the first song of Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya... which goes Kambakht ishq. It fell into place most naturally. All the three singers, Asha Bhonsle, Sukhwindara and Sonu Nigam were phenomenal. The lyrics by Nitin Raikwar are too good, very different from his usual Aati kya Khandala style. This is the song to watch out for.

Why have you confined yourself to the Ramgopal Verma camp? Why aren’t you working with other young filmmakers?
It’s a pleasure working with Mr. Verma because he knows exactly what he wants. He gives you complete freedom and doesn’t impose his views on you so you’re constantly growing. But I’m working with other filmmakers too. I am doing the music for Abbas-Mustan’s Yeh Kaisi Mohabbat. Then there’s a film with Sudhir Mishra starring Sanjay Dutt. I’m also doing the background score for Anurag Kashyap’s Paanch. Then there’s an album with Alisha Chinai that I have just finished.

Tell us more about this album?
It’s fabulous! My first pop album, it will be released by Tips and presents an Alisha you have never heard before, because she has never sung these kind of compositions before. I’ve been wanting to work with her ever since I heard her sing Kaate nahin katte from Mr. India. She’s a very versatile singer but unfortunately she’s been stuck with the Baby doll kind of songs. I’ve tried to help her break out of the mould.

We took a lot of time to make this album. Working on the album taught me that even a simple song can sound good. There’s no need to show off your knowledge everytime. This was pointed out to me by Alisha who preferred some of my simpler songs to the jazzy ones. All the songs are good, but I particularly recommend Ishq.

You were the one who re-discovered Sunidhi Chauhan and made her an overnight sensation with the Mast songs. How does it feel to see your protege so much in demand?
Sunidhi is a very good singer and she had to make it someday. It was just a matter of time and the right break. So I don’t want to take any credit for her success. Know what, she hasn’t sung any song in Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya.. because she was too busy with her stage shows and other recordings. Also people felt that she sounded like Mast in Jungle.

Who among your contemporaries have impressed you?
AR Rahman is incredible. Anu Malik is also making real good music. I like Vishal Bharadwaj’s music too, but he isn’t composing much these days.
Are you getting any offers from international recording companies?
I have got an offer from Paris to come up with an album of ambient music, that is music using a lot of Indian elements. People there want to listen to the music of India. It will have a blending of Indian with some Western music. But it will take time.

Why haven’t you shifted to Mumbai, which is the happening place as far as the Hindi film industry is concerned?
I have set up base in Chennai because in Mumbai there’s the tendency to take on more than you can handle. Also, every three weeks the trends change and you have filmmakers forcing you to incorporate new trends into songs already recorded. I can’t work like that.

I prefer doing fewer films. I am not a Superman that I can take on 12-15 films at a time. I don’t know how others do it. Hats off to them.

How did it feel courting a former Miss Universe? It made a lot of news.
You’re talking of Sushmita. (Smiles) It was good publicity for me!

Are you seeing anyone now?
No, I am very single and willing to mingle (Smiles).

Salma Khatib>>>
salmakhatib@hotmail.com

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