Singer Mohit Chauhan gives voice to characters while establishing an invisible connect that cannot be broken, says Team Viva
Sajra Savera Mere Tan Barse Kajra/ Andhera Teri Jalti Lau Katra Mila Jo Tere Dar Par Se, O Maula... Maula...” Mohit Chauhan’s voice wafted softly across the screen and then soared as Ranbir Kapoor looked up at the dome of Hazrat Nizamuddin’s dargah for salvation and inspiration. While creating an iconic cinematic moment where the audience connected with the despair that the singer Janardhan, who would soon metamorphosis into Jordan, felt, Chauhan became inseparable from the film that firmly established him in the realm of songs that were ethereal and could not be replicated. In ephemeral times, Rockstar’s music still continues to feature in the playlists of millenials and Generation Z (as well as their parents) despite the passage of eight years.
The voice, which expressed the emotions effortlessly, connected with thousands of others who failed to bring out the same emotion and wanted to. He, sort of, gave words to everybody’s feelings. While Imtiaz Ali, AR Rahman and Irshad Kamil created the cult film, it was only Chauhan who could have expressed each of the emotions that Jordan goes through, whether it is the unattainable love that he felt for Heer or the anguish he feels at her death or the rage at the system. Mohit, who is in the capital to perform at the Mayur Utsav, feels that Rockstar is one the most important milestones in his musical career. He met Imtiaz for the first time, when music composer Pritam Chakraborty to sing in Jab We Met. But it almost did not happen. He shares, “I had disappeared into the mountains and they were not able to contact me because I am not fond of using phones too much. A couple of months went by and I got a call from Imtiaz saying, ‘where have you been? We have been trying to get in touch with you desperately for almost three months’. Then I came to Mumbai and sang that song. I am still very thankful that he waited for me. There were so many singers, he could have easily approached someone else but he didn’t.” And that’s where their relationship started. Gradually they were on the same wavelength. Interestingly, Mohit says that right from Tum Se Hi to every song that he has sung for Imtiaz’s film is written by Irshad Kamil. And they have been all very successful songs. “It’s so great to spend time with him. He’s an amazing director as well as a great friend,” says he.
Mohit says that it’s almost like a spiritual experience to be able to sing about 10 to 11 songs in one film. I sang Sadda Haq, Tum Ho, Kun Faya Kun and Phir Se Ud Chala in the same film, which is extremely unheard of. A playback singer usually sings one or two songs in a single film. People use six music directors and then 10 different singers for 10 songs. But to be able to sing all of them in just one album is an indescribable feeling. I went through all the emotions that an artist can go through and express. Also, the character that I was singing for was like really close to me. Almost like me as the story is that of a contemporary musician and his journey. How he learns music all by himself, so all the emotions and expressions were so real for me,” says he and narrates how he met AR Rahman. He says, “I was a part of the band called Silk Route. We sang songs like Dooba Dooba and Boondein. There was this huge music award festival in Delhi in November, 1998. That evening we won four awards. We got the best songs, best debut and best band of the year award. I met him there for the very first time. I paid my respects to him and he complimented me saying, ‘Your band has a beautiful sound’. He, later, asked me if I have every tried singing in films. I replied in the negative. Then almost after five years later, I got a call from him for Khoon Chala for Rang De Basanti. That was my first song. And that’s when my musical journey started. It has been really amazing since then to work with him. I really consider myself fortunate to record with him, under his guidance.”
The singer has always been keen on promoting arts and culture. He believes that it’s a natural process that when you value art, you feel the urge to promote it more and why not? “Folk music should be heard by people and especially by the younger generation, so that they understand, absorb and enjoy our roots and culture. I have always promoted folk music because it’s related to our tradition and culture. It’s great to be a part of art and make it a part of you,” feels Mohit.
The most important change that has happened over the years, according to him, is the advent of technology. It has become much easier for individuals of all kinds to be able to showcase their talents. “A lot of people have gained acclaim just because of the internet. That’s something huge and good, especially for the artistes,” says he.
It was in 2017, when the singer himself started his online show, CoHear, on YouTube. “I did it for a year. I am a traveller. I always travel to hills. The idea came from my wife. She said that ‘you hang out so much in the mountains, why don’t you do this live concert show’? And then I thought about it. People love to come to concerts but not everyone is able to attend them. I got a really good response for that. Nobody was doing it at that time,” says he.
Mohit has also been conducting various workshops in colleges. He feels that it’s great to inspire someone with your own story. He says, “I was made the ambassador for the Skill India initiative. I really feel, it’s about turning your passion into your skill. It’s, in fact, a theory — if you are passionate about something you spend so much time on it that it becomes a skill, which you can use to reach out to people and make things better. I have learned from artists who are senior to me or people that I have read about in their biographies. I loved hearing how they made their music, what came in their mind and everything, so that inspires me to do my work. In the same manner I can help youngsters understand that they can do it too. After all, they are the future.”
Just like ‘I Love New York’, every city has a campaign. Ask Mohit what does he think can be done to brand Delhi, and he will tell you that Delhi is a great city with a greater history. “The capital will always remain, ‘Dilvalon ki Dilli’. Delhiites are filled with love. Their hearts are pure and the amount of energy they have is unbeatable. Each and everything adds colour to this beautiful city,” says the singer.
(Mayur Utsav is on November 24 and 25.)
