Composer GOUROV DASGUPTA, speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about this latest single, composing for Big B and Abhishek Bachchan, and working with Emraan Hashmi
What is Saiyyonee about and what was the best compliment you received?
The single is the beginning and revival of many things personal and professional at my end. After nearly five years of Gourov-Roshin, this is my first solo venture. I had the same anxiety I had when I did my first film Dus Kahaaniyaan with Sanjay Gupta. The single is my first release with Sony Music. Sameerji’s (Anjaan) poetry is one of the strongest pillars of this song. The video feat with Asim Riaz and Shivaleeka Oberoi and directed by Kookie Gulati has done wonders.The best compliment I’ve got is that people feel they are finally getting to hear the real Gourov.
Tell us about your tracks in movies Chehre.
The movie has a larger-than-life track, Rangdariya. It’s the only song in the film and was an honour to be amidst legends like (Amitabh) Bacchan saab and Emraan (Hashmi). There was a lot of pressure as the music and Emraan went hand in hand and we needed a song that could hit the ball out of the park for him and me.
What is your favourite song from The Big Bull?
It is Ishq Namaaza followed by Hawaon ke sheher mein. Kookie Gulati the director fought against a lot of odds to have these songs in his film as he personally believed that these songs had the potential to be iconic and when Ajay Devgn sir heard them, he immediately gave a go ahead. Though the film is an OTT release, I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope that the music reaches out to all the audiences.
And what about the music in Hello Charlie?
Gypsy guitar is a quirky and beautiful love song. This was everyone’s most favourite song, I am told. However, the song has been chopped from the film and will be now promoted only as a promotional track. This movie too is an OTT release. In fact, they forgot to put Shellee (lyricit) and my name in the credits. Extremely disappointed and heartbroken as Excel is supposed to be a production house which respects musicians. But such is the life of an artist.
You have composed the tracks for Big B (For Chehre) and Abhishek Bachchan (For Big Bull). Any anecdotes you would like to share?
It was an honour and a thrill when Emraan told me that Bacchan saab heard Rangdariya and said that it’s one of the best songs he’s heard in the decade. I jumped with joy like a kid. It made my day. Working with Abhishek B was amazing as well. He is so funny, down to earth and has an immense knowledge about music. In between shoots, Kookie, AB and I used to sit, jam and ideate on many new things. That’s how Hawaon ke sheher, my second track in The Big Bull was conceived. I’m extremely proud of the work I’ve done for them.
Emraan Hashmi movies are known for superhit sound soundtracks. What was his reaction after listening to the track?
He is a musician who isn’t a musician. You can’t fool him with a mediocre melody. Luckily we were already working on some music for another film and he was familiar with my soundscape. It’s no mean feat to score for him. This was a dream come true. I’m hoping there’s more to come.
How did it feel to have three films releasing on the same date — April 9, 2021?
Chehre, for now has been postponed. It’s surreal especially since my last release Jawaani Jaaneman seems ages ago due to the lockdown. It’s the same feeling I had when I arrived in this city a decade back with pennies in my pocket and dreams in my eyes. I pray the audience accepts and loves Gourov Dasgupta as they had done in the past.
What are your future projects?
There are quite a few in the pipeline. But don’t want to jinx them by talking about them. Once they are ready for release people will get to know about them.
