What’s cooking between Sandeep Chowta and Alisha Chinai

We share a very good working relationship. Alisha is a very, very good human being. We’ve a very nice friendship that’s growing by the day. We relish each other’s company. I’m so happy that Alisha is so involved with the project. I couldn’t have got a better singer for
my first non-film album. I wouldn’t even like to call the others Indi-pop singers -- SANDEEP CHOWTA

What happens when ‘Jungle’ boy Sandeep Chowta meets the crooning queen Alisha Chinai? Together they make earth-shattering music, that’s what! Currently ensconced in Sandeep’s cosy studio in Chennai for an album produced by Tips, with music by Sandeep, Alisha seems to be thoroughly taken up with her composing companion. "Sandeep is s-o-o-o talented," the familiar Made In India voice croons from Chennai, early morning one Friday, "I wanted to work with him from the time I heard his compositions in Satya and Mast, and I told him so. Now that we’re finally working together we’re like a dream team."

Sandeep reciprocates the compliments. "Alisha’s fabulous voice had got into a groove. You know, the double-voiced tracks, the typical harkats. She’s an extremely versatile singer. When she sang in different keys for me, I found she sounded different each time. She’s a one-take artiste. I don’t have to tell her what to do. I found it a problem to explain to other singers what exactly I wanted. But not Alisha. In this album that we’re doing together Alisha is also a part of the lyric-writing process. That helps."

So are Sandeep and Alisha writing poetry by gazing into each other’s eyes? "Hey hold it, I’m no poet," protests Sandeep whose recent songs like Do pyar karne wale and Jaan in Jungle cracked open the charts. Nitin Raikwar and Alisha are writing the lyrics together. She’s very clear about the attitude that she wants to project into songs. So we haven’t gone into deep poetry or anything. But there’s a beautiful ballad Ishq se ishq hai which might be the title of our album."

Sandeep is keen on making this an Indi-pop album of substance. In the meanwhile, his music for E. Niwas’ untitled Ram Gopal Varma production is coming along fine. "There’s one kickass track by Ashaji (Bhosle), Sukhwindara and Sonu Nigam. You simply have to hear it. Ashaji makes other singers look like kids. This is one of her best numbers in recent times."
The Alisha album is ten percent complete. Sandeep has also done the signature tune for Zee’s pricey game show Sawaal Dus Crore Ka. So how is he finding the time to make music with Alisha in ways other than the obvious? Sandeep blushes the colour of blood. "I’m a workaholic, remember? I am married to music, ha ha. Seriously, I’m enjoying being Alisha’s producer. I love having a good singer at my disposal. But that’s it. And please stop trying to sniff anything more. You have a cold," smiles Sandeep.

When I persist, Sandeep admits there’s a mutual attraction. "But it’s too early to say anything. Right now I’ve to put my best into the album. We share a very good working relationship. Alisha is a very, very good human being. We’ve a very nice friendship that’s growing by the day. We relish each other’s company. I’m so happy that Alisha is so involved with the project. I couldn’t have got a better singer for my first non-film album. I wouldn’t even like to call the others Indi-pop singers."

Sandeep would very much like Alisha to sing for his films. "Even Ramu (Gopal Varma) loves her voice." With Sunidhi Chauhan, whose voice Sandeep nurtured and nourished, committed to sing with countless other composers, Alisha’s voice seems god-sent for Sandeep. "I tell you, he enthuses, "Her vocals are adding immensely to my production." The album is expected to be complete by the end of November.

In a market cluttured with Indi-pop albums by Johnny and Jane come-latelys, who don’t know the sa of singing, Sandeep Chowta and Alisha Chinai’s album promises to break the stagnant mould to begin a new era for Indi-pop.

Subhash K Jha

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