MUMBAI: With the music of Karthik calling Karthik, two prominent names in the independent music world  - Midival Punditz and Karsh Kale - have debuted as background music composers in Bollywood. The duo has started a new production unit MPKK (Midival Punditz - Karsh Kale) through which they will be composing background scores for Hindi films 

For many independent musicians, Bollywood remains a lucrative and rewarding medium, which helps them to reach a wider audience. Is this what brings these musicians to Bollywood?   

Tapan Raj from Midivial Punditz says, "We have always been interested in making music for cinema. It doesn't matter whether it's Bollywood or Hollywood, it just has to be a well directed, gripping story and we will love to score the music for that. And yes, the platform of films is big and it helps put out our music to a wide audience," he adds 

For those who are expecting a typical Karsh Kale or Midival Punditz sound will be in for a surprise, says Kale, "The film (Karthik calling Karthik) called us to expand our sonic scope and approach the music with a fresh new sound. We composed on everything from orchestral instruments and piano to hard core electronic soundscapes and crunchy rock guitars. We did not set out to repeat what we have done before. We used this opportunity to challenge ourselves to take things to another level and I think we accomplished that," he adds    

But unlike Hollywood, Bollywood has not given as much emphasis to background scores - here the films' songs take the cake. However, that is changing, feels Kale. "I think now that Bollywood films are getting more international appeal – it is important to address a more international audience  The world of cinema actually does not revolve around songs but rather background score... In fact in Hollywood, it is called a 'score' not a background score. In the past Bollywood has put most of its emphasis on the songs but I think this changing...Slumdog Millionaire had only a few songs and more about the music – that's what the world wants out of Bollywood, so I think we arrived at the right time," he adds 

While most background score composers are happy to sit back in their studios and tweak knobs, Midivial Pundits -Karsh Kale aren't stooping just there. Both of them, with their wide performing experience are also looking forward to perform their soundtracks live. "We have composed about 13 new themes for the film of which at least half are worthy of including in our sets. If Karthik Calling Karthik becomes a successful film we would fashion a show around it and perform the score in its entirety," adds Kale  

Besides composing background scores, the Midival Punditz- Karsh Kale team is also open to composing songs,  Well, if we are given the right script and full creative freedom to make the kind of songs that we do, then why not....it would be an awesome experience,... says Tapan Raj 

What's next?

The duo will be working on the background score for Ajay Naidu's film Ashes due to release in 2010.