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| Inteview no 2 |
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| Karan on K3G music |
| "Sandesh Shandilya delivered what Jatin-Lalit couldn't have" The bubblegum baron is back, with a new, differently-packaged, slightly mature offering in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. But make no mistakes. The grandeur of KKHH only multiplies itself several folds here. Karan Johar treats us to the songs of his forthcoming multi-starrer, and one after the other, they present a lavish world, so unreal, so Barjatya. The director makes no bones about his decision to shoot Suraj hua maddham, a Shah Rukh-Kajol ditty, in the pyramids of Egypt, openly admitting that it is a marketing gimmick. The mixed reports the music is carrying, especially since the news that Sandesh Piya Basanti Shandilya was roped in to save the Jatin-Lalit soundtrack, don't seem to bother him. He is as much confident of his music as his film. |
| So, as he settles down to discuss the music of his family flick with me, I know that his confidence in his film and its music is real. There is a certain similarity between the music of KKHH and K3G. One can't imagine them working outside the context of the film. Yes, but isn't that true for any film soundtrack? The songs in any good film should be situational, and reflect a movement in the narrative. In both the films, the music derives itself from the screenplay. So, it is only expected that the songs will grow on you if you like the film. But how about something like Lagaan, that is outstanding in itself, and works with the film too? I don't agree. I know as a fact that the music of Lagaan picked up a lot after the audience in Mumbai liked the film. In Delhi, it never worked. There is a certain market for any music. The music of K3G has universal appeal. While youngsters will like peppy tracks like the Hrithik-Kareena song You are my Soniya, the more mature audiences might go for the title song or Suraj hua maddham. I don't know if you could make out in the preview, but the songs of K3G are certainly more catchy than those of KKHH. You will find yourself humming them very soon. So, which one is your favourite song in K3G? The title song, of course. It is the soul of the film. It comes at various stages, at various narrative points where the story takes an important turn. In the main version, it is an aarti song. It is bound to have universal appeal all across the world. And of course, I like it so much more because I had the opportunity to work with Lata ji for this song. It was such an honour. The rumour mill has been working overtime on how Jatin-Lalit were given the cold shoulder in favour of Sandesh Shandilya. See, like each director, each music director has his own sensibilties. I can't make an action film today. Similarly, Jatin-Lalit couldn't do justice to the Western songs in K3G. We tried, but it didn't work out. I realised that it was my mistake, not theirs. I was expecting something outside their sensibilities from them. So how did Sandesh happen? I have known Sandesh as this bright, young chap. When we struggled to get our tunes right with Jatin-Lalit, we decided mutually that maybe someone else would do justice to the situations. Sandesh delivered what Jatin-Lalit couldn't have. I should have realised that in the first place. And Aadesh Shrivastava? That was Amit ji's idea entirely. Say shava shava is the typical filmi item song. I had the situation ready and Aadesh had the tune in place. Amit ji brought us together and things worked out. I think I may have set some kind of a trend here by using three composers for one film. Not really. It has been happening for quite some time now. But not in this fashion, if I may say so. There is a certain pattern in K3G. The Indian songs are done by Jatin-Lalit, the Western ones by Sandesh and the bhangra track by Aadesh. Javed saab and you were supposed to work together in KKHH. Yes, but there was a minor misunderstanding between us over the interpretation of the title of the film. But I have great respect for him. He is simply brilliant. So, when Javed saab went on record to say that KKHH made him realise that he was wrong, he in effect opened his gates for you and K3G. It is so nice of Javed saab to say such things. But Sameer stood by me in my hour of need, and I will never forget that. My relationship with Sameer extends beyond the professional. I can't think of anyone else doing my lyrics. I seriously object to the use of Raghupati raghav in KKHH. You do? I thought the song was a personal victory of the director in me. I mean, here are two friends who are meeting after years, and I used two versions of the song - one aarti and one Western - to build lead to their reunion. I think it worked. But only in the film. It was fast forward material on the tape. Of course, it is not a song that has any aural appeal. It was meant to be heard in the context of the film. But yes, maybe you have a point of view there. But I would still count the song as a proud moment of directorial brilliance in KKHH. |