 Shankar Mahadevan is on a roll now. A couple of years ago, he might have felt a little disappointed after 'Mission Kashmir' didn't hit the top of the charts, despite a lot of hard work put in along with Esaan and Loy for the music.
'Dil Chahta Hai' changed all that. The success of the film and the success of the music brought in a spate of awards, recognition and fame for the trio, particularly
Shankar.
There's been no looking back ever since. Today, he is one of the busiest musicians around.
We talked to Shankar during his flying visit to Chennai in connection with the release of his new album 'Nine' and a fusion music concert for the Sivaswamy Memorial Foundation on Sunday. In this no-holds-barred interview, Shankar has a lot to say about his plans in the Tamil film industry, in Bollywood and Hollywood as well!
Q; So, how are things with you at the music direction front? You seem to have taken up a lot of projects?
Shankar: Well, things are really looking up now. We have been signed for two Holywood films.
Q: Are they being made by NRIs? Are these films again about Indian Americans?
Shankar: No, these are real Hollywood films. The films may be shot partly in India or have some Indian music as a part of it. But otherwise, they are regular Hollywood films. That is why we are particularly happy that our music is reaching the world stage. One film is called 'Marigold' being made by William Caroll and the other is a film by Kruti Majumdar, which is as yet untitled.
Q: Is 'Marigold' about music, Indian music? Does music have a prominent role in it?
Shankar: Yes, music does have a strong role in the film. And Indian music too will feature in it.
Q: What about your projects for the Hindi film industry?
Shankar: We have completed work for Manishankar's 'Rudraksh', Kuch Na Kaho and Farhan Akhtar's Lakshya. Besides, we are working on Karan Johar's Kal Ho Na Ho, Sameer Karnik's Kyon Ho Gaya Na (with Vivek Oberoi, Aishwarya Rai and Amitabh
Bachchan). We are also working for Revathi's next film (yet untitled).
Q: What about Tamil? Your work in Aalavandhan was amazing but you haven't worked in Tamil films again. Why is that?
Shankar: Frankly, wetoo liked our work in Aalavandhan. It was an experimental film by Kamal Hassan and our music was experimental too. It was not on routine lines. The music was composed keeping in mind the requirements of the film. But it may be, that it sent the wrong signal, that we could only do that kind of experimental music and not the regular kind. Let us see how things work out in future. As far as I am concerned, I would love to work for Tamil films.
Q: You made your entry here as a singer. However, there is a feeling that you are not doing too many Tamil songs these days. Have your assignments as a music director eaten into your time as a singer?
Shankar: The last part of your question is very relevant. It is true that I concentrated on music composition and devoted less time to singing. I am not only composing music for films but also for albums like Nine, besides doing a lot of fusion concerts in India and abroad. That involves a lot of travel too. I agree that I have been singing less these days, particularly for Tamil films. I enjoyed singing a lot.
Q: A few years ago, your songs in Sangamam, Mudhalvan, Kandukondein and Rhythm were a rage. There was then a gap. Will you sing more for Tamil films now?
Shankar: I enjoyed singing in those films for A R Rahman. Those songs are remembered even now. However, you must keep in mind that I am based in Mumbai and I can't abandon my work there. All the same, I kept in touch with the Tamil industry. My recent songs like Aal Thotta Bhupathi Naanada, Kalakkuven...Kalakkuven, Aasai...Aasai from Dhool have all been hits and chart-busters. But I agree I ignored Tamil films to some extent. I will make it up by trying to spend some time here, once in a way, do some recordings and go back to Mumbai. That is a promise.
Q: What do you think is the basic difference between music compositions in the South and in Hindi films?
Shankar: The one most apparent distinction is that the South Indian film industry, particularly Tamil offers a lot of scope for variety, creativity, with a thrust on melody. Songs by and large are still based on some Raga or the other. People here are also willing to encourage experimental music, even different voices. For example, I am very happy and excited to find that a singer from rural areas like Paravai Muniyamma produced some hits. We can't imagine something like that in Hindi films. Or take Manicka Vinayagam, he has such a rustic and rare voice. He has also been a big success. I am happy that two voices like that are being encouraged by music directors and the people here. I can't imagine something like that happening in the north and the west. However, I must also add that Hindi films are made for an all-India, even an all-world audience now. So, Hindi films must have a style which is okay all over the world.
 Q: Will you be making more albums?
Shankar: Definitely . Albums give us the scope and the dimension to do something creative and something novel all the time. We can choose the subject, the theme, the moods, and the canvas. Unlike in films, where one has to go by the theme and song situation. That is highly restrictive. There is also the minus side, that we have to conceptualise everything in the albums, all the way. Otherwise, making albums is definitely more fun, more soothing, more satisfying any day. My new album Nine is based on the nine different moods like joy, sorrow, hope, jealousy, fear, ecstasy and things like that. It was very difficult trying to create a mood on jealousy and fear. The lyrics were by Javed Akhtar saheb, and he has done a magnificent job. I tried to do my best.
Q: On the plethora of remixes in Hindi?
Shankar: I am not in favour of it. I think there has been a big overdose. Fortunately, the people have seen through it all, and now feel that enough is enough. I think they want to encourage good lyrics and good music now. That phase of re-mixes may be getting over soon, thankfully.
R Rangaraj
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Interview with Shankar Mahadevan
