'There's a connect between me and the audience'

He can break into a song at the drop of a hat and create a shayari on any topic in the world. But everyone knows that composer Anu Malik is more than just that! Known for his melodious compositions for hit films like Baazigar, ‘Border’, Munnabhai MBBS, Main Hoon Na and Yamla Pagla Deewana, Anu’s music has always reached out to the common man.

Interestingly, his latest project is Gali Gali Chor Hai, a film revolving around the troubles faced by a common man due to the system. In the City to promote this film, Anu spoke to Metrolife on his compositions, South Indian films and the viral hit ‘Why This Kolaveri Di?’

“South has interested me a lot,” he says. “I have worked with the famous producer D Ramanaidu on several Telegu films. But I would love to compose music for Tamil and Kannada films. The music of South is infectious, the tunes are melodious and the singers are robust,” he adds. “There is a lot of fun, happiness and mirth. Look at ‘Why This Kolaveri Di?’ It’s a very nice song and the youth loved it. There is just so much happening in the South and I admire composers like Ilayaraja and A R Rahman. I have also been a huge fan of M S Subbulakshmi and love the voices of S P Balasubramanian, Chitra and Chinmayee,” he says.

Coming to his latest offering Gali Gali Chor Hai, Anu says, “There is a connect between me and the audience. When I went to Jaipur recently, all I had to say was Channo (the item song) and people went into raptures. Singers like Kailash Kher, Mamtha Sharma, Mohit Chauhan and my daughter Anmol have done a wonderful job in the album,” he explains. “I am so proud of Anmol as she has worked really hard to be where she is,” he gushes.  

Anu has many interesting projects in his kitty like Ye Jo Mohabbat Hai and Hera Pheri 4. He will also be seen on the small screen in the upcoming season of ‘Indian Idol’ and Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega. But he says nothing is confirmed yet. “Ye Jo Mohabbat Hai stars Aditya Samanta, the grandson of the great film-maker Shakti Samant while Hera Pheri 4 is made by Aneez Bazmee and Firoz Nadiadwala. Firoz actually came up to me and said that he was missing my brand of music since I had composed music for the first Hera Pheri. Like how Tinku Jiya was an instant hit last year, I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope all these films do well,” he says. “I am also doing the next film of director Rumi Jafry and producer Nitin Manmohan (the team behind Gali Gali Chor Hai),” he adds.

Ask him about Bangalore and he describes the City as ‘centrally air conditioned’. “I have fond memories of coming to the ranch of actor Feroz Khan here. I have heard about the oldest rock in the City (referring to Lal Bagh). But I haven’t seen it yet. I must get my wife and then go there. Though Bangalore lives up to its name, the traffic is really bad here. However, the people are beautiful and the food is yummy,” he signs off.