Entertainment

‘Munni badnaam hui…’ established my career as solo composer: Lalit Pandit

The composer, who earlier worked with his brother Jatin, tells Subhash K Jha what composing the most popular item song of Hindi cinema, meant to his life

The composer, who earlier worked with his brother Jatin, tells Subhash K Jha what composing the most popular item song of Hindi cinema, meant to his life

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What significance does Munni badnaam hui have to your career as a composer?

Jatin Lalit was a significantly big brand of music but we separated in 2006 after the musical success of Fanaa. I was acutely aware that when a brand breaks it’s almost impossible to restart it again. But I had no choice and had been very unhappy with working conditions with my brother Jatin.

Did you get offers to compose music as a solo composer?

Yes, after the split I did get films from Mukesh Bhatt (Showbiz) and Vikram Bhatt (Life Mein Kabhi Kabhi) and a few other films. Though I consider m ymusic good in them, the films didn’t work. But I somehow managed to keep my team together and kept working.

How did Munni badnaam hui happen?

During this dry period, I understood that I needed to do something extraordinary to get the focus of people on me and my music. I worked and worked and composed Munni badnaam hui in those days. But I didn’t have a good film for the song and I decided to hold on to the song. I was working on a small film called Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye. It had Arbaaz Khan in it. I had done Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya with him earlier and was friendly with him. I requested him to have a music sitting with me to which he agreed.

You played Munni badnaam hui for Khan?

Yes, he came over with (Dabangg director) Abhinav Kashyap. I didn’t know that they were working on Dabangg then. We had a long session and then Arbaaz told me that they were already working on a film and wanted an item number. He said we have only one situation left and also said we need a crackerjack of a song to make this music a hit. He had told me overall the music in Dabangg  was soft and that he needed a big dhamaka song.

And then?

Here is where I sang out Munni badnaam hui to both of them. They instantly loved the song as was expected and we had a great time listening to the song again and again. Both Arbaaz and Abhinav were sure that this was a big hit song for the film.

How did the singer Mamta Sharma come into the picture?

I selected a new voice Mamta Sharma and the producers were kind enough to go with my suggestion and intuition. I must tell you that I worked for nearly 40 days in the production of the song till I finalized it. Since I was aware this could help. Considering my situation as a solo composer after the split with my brother, I didn’t want to leave any stone unturned! I wanted a cracker of a track. Since I am quite well versed with the technical aspects of recording that extra knowledge helped. This technical know-how was also the USP of the music that I did with Jatin. I was good at recording and arranging music.

What happened when Munni badnaam was released?

The song became the song of the year in that particular year! Munni badnaam swept all the awards. Sadly, no music scored by the Jatin-Lalit team ever won any award.  The awards for Munni badnam were very special for me. I won an award handed over to me by (lyricist) Sameer Anjaan for best lyrics!! Also, the song won the best song recorded that year!!This was a very happy moment for me winning these awards along with the best music. Song of the year, best item song...and many other different categories. I’d say the song Munni badnaam  benefited  the overall score of Dabangg .

Did Munni badnaam consolidate your career as an independent composer?

Since then, I have done 20 independent films and am working on more films. I have been lucky to have films with me always since Munni badnaam and am constantly doing music scores. These are difficult times for music as producers want one or two songs by each composer with multiple music directors scoring for a film. It’s sad. But luckily, I have done many films as a solo composer. I have got many offers to do a single item song for a film score, which I have had to let go because I am not happy doing that.

Recently I have decided to venture into independent music and produce some non-film music. I want to compose music that my heart tells me is nice and music that I know film producers and directors won’t take. I am excited and happy to venture into this new phase in my music composition which will give me creative freedom.

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