JOIN US'An artist is always struggling'
It was like an overnight success for Dhurv Dhalla, whose song Chak de Phatte in Dibakar Banerjee’s Khosla ka Ghosla topped the charts. After the song, which won him the ‘Debut Music Composer’ nomination at the Stardust awards in 2007, what followed Dhalla was a series of successful background scores in films like Oye Lucky Lucky Oye, Sahi Dhande Galat Bande and Tere Bin Laden.
He has now composed music for Tere Bin Laden 2 where he has created music against the backdrop of comedy to bring out heroic element of the protagonist. While the movie hit the screens last Friday, Metrolife got candid with the music composer who talked about his personal fondness for music and music scene in Bollywood.
Excerpts:
How did you start your journey in music?
I started as a keyboard player in school. I would play whatever songs I heard on the radio or TV and reprise them on the piano. But it was in college when Palash Sen from the band Euphoria called me to play with them. With him, I realised that I wanted to be a professional musician and then went to Hollywood to study Western composition. I got back and met Dibakar Banarjee and he offered me Khosla Ka Ghosla.
Elaborate on your music in Tere Bin Laden 2.
Because of his exposure to music scores and soundtracks, Abhishek Sharma, the director, was a tough guy to please. This however, helped me push the envelope further. The score had to be grand and sincere yet had to match the comic under current subtly. Movies like Tere Bin Laden have helped me grow as a musician. The scary part, however, is to match or better your best work.
Does making music for Bollywood affect your creative space?
Making music in Bollywood does affect your personal creativity. Every composer has his own personal style. But the success depends on how well he manages to commercialise his music for a large audience. Take the soundtrack of the movie Rockstar, A R Rahman moulded rock nuances and made our audience sway to it. It’s his talent, his genius and his ability to add commercial elements needed to relate to Indian audiences.
What are the challenges faced by music composers in today’s time?
Every bit of music that works becomes a reference point. The struggle is to be better as a musician that I was yesterday or for my last project. Commercial success is important but real gratification comes from being able to improve on what I did in my last film. In that sense, an artist is always struggling and trying to better his art.
How has Bollywood music evolved over the years?
Music is made of rhythm, melody and harmony and we have always been true to our strong folk heritage. Our melodies rule! Their fusion with world music makes Bollywood music distinct and amazing. Music earlier was simple. People gave it time to grow on them.
Now it’s about instant gratification. But what won’t change is the magic of heart touching lyrics in sync with a strong melody.
What are your future plans?
I have another film lined up with Abhishek Sharma. Alongside I’m also working on a Gurgaon mafia film in Delhi, a project with Sanjay Dutt Productions and a film directed by Omi Vedya.