Bagging a Rajshri Productions movie as a first commercial film for music direction is a commendable achievement, and that is just what the trio of Meet Brothers and Anjjan achieved. Their music for Isi Life Mein has been appreciated, especially Mohit Chauhan's Isi Umr Mein, which has received good playout across radio stations. Avani Bheda caught up with Harmeet Singh of Meet Bros-Anjjan on bagging the Rajshri film and its music, their journey so far, and their future projects.

Tell us about the journey from offering sound-studio services on hire and smaller composing jobs and performing at events, to getting an entry into the Rajshree camp. You've finally composed music for a film produced by a banner that's always been strong on music.

We've been in Mumbai for more than 10 years now, and have known Anjjan all this time. He was in Kanpur, and he too composes music. We used to do shows together. We've been in Mumbai since 2000,  and in 2007, my father, who had invested in setting up a new radio station in Gwalior – Radio Chaska – said he wanted us to go there and set up the station -- create and staff all the departments, infrastructure; everything to do with the creative side of things. We created the entire station audio packaging and jingles there, trained the RJs, worked on the music programming for playout... everything. We were there all of 2007, and Radio Chaska became the Number One station there. Our sales was eight times that of any other radio station in the city.

But the desire to make it in the music business here (in Mumbai) was too strong, so we sold our share to our partner, and the three of us came back. The first film that we bagged was in 2008 – a film called Tewar, which Pradeep Sarkar was working with Yash Raj Productions for. But for some reasons, the project got shelved. We had composed four songs; the final lyrics had been written too.

But the writer of that film, Habib Faisal, called us and said he was making a film for Walt Disney. He said he'd liked our commitment and passion. I like guys like you who work hard and are quick. I want you to compose the music for my film.... It was Do Dooni Chaar. The film was very realistic. It was based in Delhi. But all the songs were without lip-sync. It was more like background music. But we're really grateful to Habib for his confidence and for giving us our first film. He's an excellent writer and director.

Tell us how you impressed Sooraj Barjatiya to bag Isi Life Mein

Getting the appointment with him was the most difficult part! We had to make countless calls. But ultimately, he called us for a meeting, and all three of us reached his office with our keyboards and instruments. He'd given us about an hour or so for the sitting. But time just flew! As we got into presenting our tunes, he too got engrossed, and before we knew it, he was grilling us about our knowledge and understanding of music. He himself is extremely knowledgeable and very sensitive about music, and I guess he was trying to check us out about the same things. He asked us about various raags, their  moods, timing, use… he gave us music tests wherein we had to compose, extempore, tunes to different situations… no lyrics, just the scene and the mood that he wanted the tune to express.

It was such a deep session that before we knew it, we had spent more than six hours with him! And you know what? Normally, Sooraj ji takes time to come back with his decision, but to us, at the end of those six and a half hours, he said, Rest assured that I will use you guys to compose music of a film of mine. I don't know when that will be, but we will do it....

And three months later Rajshree called us, saying We've finalized a script, so come on over and let's start working....

How has Isi Life Mein done, so far?

The film was doing very well outside Mumbai. In Mumbai, it was a little slow to take off, especially because of TMK opening along with it, but afterwards, it took off, slowly and steadily. In the small towns it has been doing very well. But everywhere, it is being appreciated because it is an amalgamation of small town and Mumbai.

Musically, how has Isi Life Mein fared?

For the first time in 50 years under the Rajshri banners, this is the first film which is completely and out and out extremely modern, very youthful. There are rock songs, hip-hop songs, instrumental jazz, R&B, operatic ballads. For instance, Ramji 24x7 is pure hip-hop song; LOL (Live out Life) is complete rock. This is a club song with strong rock programming arrangements. Tere Pyaar mein is a romantic ballad – not out and out Bollywood commercial, but with an operatic feel. There's Rajasthani folk and bhajan too. Banni Avela Tharo Banna is R&B rock. This must perhaps the only CD in this country having so many genres of songs in a single film.

You also had a great lineup of singers for your first commercial film…

Yes, thank God! We had Mohit Chauhan Udit Narayan, Shreya Ghoshal, Kunal Ganjawala, Kavita ji… For the male voices, it was a mix and match, but we chose Shreya Ghoshal for the heroine's voice because it's a heroine-oriented film, and we thought the heroine should have only one voice. We've also used Kavita ji's voice where other female vocals are required.

Amongst the male singers, Uditji has sung two songs,and they are Bhajans. Tere Pyaar mein, the fourth song, has Kunal Ganjawala because it is very operatic. It's a stage play by Shakesphere, so we had to add that Hollywood feel  They are dancing in total Jazz style. Banni Avela Tharo

And which is your favourite song from the film?

We love them all, but Mohit Chauhan's Isi Umr Mein, especially the unplugged version, is a favourite. It's got beautiful lyrics as per the situation. I feel the unplugged version is the best song of the film. If promoted well, it can become a national anthem; it has that potential.

How easy or difficult was it, to work with Mohit Chauhan?

He has a very creative mind, and the biggest advantage was that we are pop singers ourselves and he too is a pop singer. In fact, Mohit and Meet Bros-Anjjan go back over eight years of friendship. We told Mohit, �This is a Rajshri film, and knowing their reputation and how serious they are about their work and music, if we have to work with them, it has to be as per their timings and convenience – they are an institution in themselves. So are you ok with it?' Mohit said �Sure, but just give me some advance notice'. Which we did. Every person can be difficult in this world; it's just how you handle the person. And Mohit has always been a gem. He even supported us on the background music.

How was that?

We wanted the hero's signature theme in the film to be in Mohit's voice, and he gave us all the time for it, and very enthusiastically too. He really supported  us.

How's the future looking? Have you hired a manager or agent yet?

No we haven't hired any agent. We have been looking out for work on our own  After Isi Life Mein, we're doing Govinda ji's Naughty at Forty, and Ye Dooriyan, and Karan Oberoi's Guns and Heroes.

Ye Dooriyan releasing on 25th February. Deepshika Nagpal and Keshav are producing it. Deepshikha is starring in the  film as heroine.

Which singers are you working with for Ye Dooriyaan?

We have taken Kavita ji and Krishna,  who sang the Maula song in Chak De. One song is by Akrti Kakar. Another singer is Umer – a Pakistani singer. He's a new talent we have spotted. We are still in talks with others – Sonu Nigam is a singer we really want too, but it depends upon his dates. Let's see.

And what about Naught At Forty?

In it we have composed only one song, and it is the  title song, which Abhijit has sun for us. The other music is by Monty Sharma.