The recently released Crew, apart from its interesting cast, has some exciting soundtracks, be they recreated tracks like Choli Ke Peeche and Sona Kitna or originals like Darbadar. The music composer duo Akshay Raheja and IP Singh, the ones behind these chartbusters, have been in the news for all the obvious reasons! The duo go back a long way from Delhi and have known each other since 2008. Both IP and Akshay moved to Bombay in 2017 and ended up reconnecting, and that’s when they thought to start making music together. As they began to start making music together, one thing led to the other, and here they are now, making music for the films. “The journey has been amazing, we are having fun and enjoying every part of it, even the rejections. Just keep making music and always understand that any time you spend honing your craft will pay you back sooner or later,” says the duo as we head for an exclusive chitter-chatter in regards to the BTS of these trending songs.Tejal Sinha
EXCERPTS FROM THE INTERVIEW
After receiving immense love for these songs, what’s your personal favourite?
AKSHAY RAHEJA: We have three songs in the album, and all three are different from each other. To pick one is definitely difficult, not just because they are our tracks but also because of the kind of love and effort that has gone into the whole process. It has been fruitful. There are two tracks that have been reimagined. But personally, if I have to pick one, it’s going to be Darbadar. We have Bpraak and Asees Kaur singing on it. It’s not the usual song. It’s a deeper song and has a lot of emotions. In that, we have also tried to keep it soft and have taken a modern, contemporary approach. The song has been close to us and has been with us for a while. It’s now part of a mega-film.
IP SINGH: Honestly, I’d say Choli because we have tried something wacky. It was a great moment to make Diljit Paaji sing this, and that was also the first song to be released. We had to spend a lot of time to make it, and also Sona Kitna. It’s very exciting when you create a tune that you’ve grown up listening to with some of your own musical characters.
What went on behind remaking Choli Ke Peeche and Sona Kitna?
AKSHAY RAHEJA: Somehow, we didn’t let that get to us. I’ll be very candid with you. When we got the brief and started working on these songs, just to add to it, we were contacted for Darbadar. Rhea Kapoor Boolani had heard the song a couple of years ago, and this kind of fit in with this film. We later cracked Sona, and then Choli happened. While the process was going on, I don’t think there was any moment where we felt pressured to create an iconic song. We enjoyed the process, and we were also reassured by the producers. They were equally excited. And that’s shown; people are loving it.
IP SINGH: Hum Delhi ki ladke hai darte nahi hai. And you know, we don’t think that we are remaking this song. We always come from a space of honesty and no pretense. Let’s give it our best shot. We are excited, and our excitement should be reflected in the music remake.
Asha Bhosle ji earlier commented, today’s composers don’t have the ability to create classics. Having recreated two iconic songs, what would you like to say about them?
AKSHAY RAHEJA: For us, it was more of that; we grew up listening to these songs. It was more like a tribute! Our genuine feelings were that we were getting to put our sound. While we are giving a fresh take to this, we are keeping the innocence and respect of what the song has. We are just adding our flavour. Another thing is that, now that we are reimagining these songs, we are making the newer generations also aware of these iconic songs. They are getting to revisit what we have heard.
IP Singh: I understand where Asha Ji is coming from. I am not fond of every remake that is being done! We need to carefully understand the legacy of the song and live up to it. We have spent 3–4 months to make sure that we like the song. We had to put our hearts, souls, and honesty into it. I want to personally send this song to Asha Ji and take her suggestion on the same.
Do you believe every song in the film inherently possesses a destined time and place to resonate most effectively with the audience?
AKSHAY RAHEJA: All the songs are driving the film ahead. The majority of it, I think, will make sense once the audience goes and sees the film in the theater. These songs are also based on situations and are not just promo songs. There’s, of course, a reason why Sona Kitna is played in this certain scene when they hide the gold. And the same goes with Choli Ke Peeche, and the same goes with Darbadar too. All of these songs are situation based.
IP SINGH: I generally feel that when you are creating a song for a film, one of the challenges is that it should look smacking and in sequence. It should also make sense when you are listening to it without the visuals. We are very glad that all these songs are based on situations.
