SANGEETA YADAV catches up with doctor-turned-music composer and song writer ARKO MUKHERJEE who is basking in the glory of his newest Jazbaa tracks
He left his medical profession to pursue his dream of becoming a music composer and director. Arko Pravo Mukherjee is an emerging star with hits like Abhi Abhi Toh Mile Ho, Ishq Bhi Kiyare Maula, Yeh Jism Hai Toh Kya and Hai Teri Meherbani in his portfolio.
He is now gearing up for the splash of refreshingly power-packed tracks Kahaaniyaan and Jaane Tere Shehar from Aishwarya Rai’s comeback film Jazbaa.
“When I went to Sanjay Gupta with Kahaaniyaan, I had no idea he would make it the opening track of the film. He tweaked some lyrics and we were good to go. Debut singer Nilofer Wani gave her rich texture of voice. The song is full of energy and inspiration. Jaane Tere Shehar is a unique song which wouldn’t have fit into any other story. The ghazal genre is a first for me and it has come out beautifully,” Mukherjee says.
After quitting as a doctor in Kolkata, Mukherjee struggled for three years in Mumbai before Mahesh and Pooja Bhatt launched him with Jism 2. “I decided to leave everything and come to Mumbai to pursue my dream. The first three years were the most difficult for my family and me. Coming from a non-filmy background, getting a break in Bollywood was an uphill task. But my life took a U-turn after Jism 2. I still remember when I went to meet the Bhatts. It was a 10-minute meeting that stretched to two hours. I owe my success to them. Jism 2 made everybody listen to my music,” Mukherjee says.
He is quite unruffled by the pressures of creating music in a talent rich industry. He believes in creating songs that please him first and only then others.
“I don’t like to work under pressure and that’s why I left medicine. Art can’t be created made under pressure. You need inspiration and creativity which require time. I believe songs should be created such that listeners feel the lyrics,” Mukherjee tells you.
With independent music storming the world, the day is not far when India too will be in its midst.
“Five years down the line, there will be a huge independent music industry in India. Though it’ll not have the kind of promotion music gets from Bollywood movies, but labels will figure out how to fill this gap. The only difference between Bollywood and independent music composer is that the reach of Bollywood is huge and it gives a lot of exposure to musicians. You’ll find radio channels playing Bollywood music all the time. The songs are promoted so well and it makes them more special when they are featured on big stars,” Mukherjee points out.
But it’s not just Bollywood music that has kept this composer busy. “Classic rock like Guns And Roses are a dying genre and I’m working on projects to revive it by 2016,” says this proud recipient of the Stardust Award for Standout Performance by a musical director for Yaarian.