Sipping on coffee and dressed in his trademark black tee and blue jeans, music composer and singer Shekhar Ravjiani, of the Vishal Shekhar duo, greets warmly and proceeds to talk to Radioandmusic.com’s Dhairya Ingle. In a candid conversation Ravjiani talks about his journey so far as an independent artiste, his opinion on gen next singers and of course his upcoming project ‘Bang Bang’ .

My independent journey:

I set out on a new musical adventure a couple of years back. This journey was just about creating music by following my heart and not a brief. This space has been my canvas on which I have painted my dreams. There comes a point in everyone’s life when you wish to do something for yourself, without worrying about anything else. This is how my previous three singles, 'Saazni', 'Saavli' and 'Butterfly' took shape. My latest single happened while I was sitting in my studio and a memory of my grandmother who passed away two years ago prompted me to recite the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’. All my singles are very close to my heart as I put a lot of my soul into them.

Creative process:

When I am working on a film, Vishal and I sit together and jam. We try and make sure our music is true to the script. But when it comes to my personal space or my singles it is my individual expression. I wait for the moment when I am creatively charged and let my instincts and my heart lead the way.

Concept of Multi Composers:

I am not against any concept that exists. Trends will change and we will have to move with time. Some films might have six composers. There are times that a movie might not need music, so you need to respect the fact. I believe in always giving our best for whatever we choose to do.

Judging reality shows:

I really enjoy judging reality shows because I come across so many talented people. Reality shows can really help a singer in his/her playback singing career, as you undergo a formal training of six months. Right from hanging out with their team mates, to handling pressure and even performing in front of celebrity judges, the contestants are constantly exposed to new challenges. This can boost their confidence, and their learning obviously increases. I think there should definitely be more music shows because our country is brimming with talent waiting to be discovered.

About ‘Tu Meri’ from ‘Bang Bang’

The song ‘Tu Meri’ is a complete package. The direction of Siddharth Anand and Bosco Caesar’s choreography with the moves of Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif has made the song a treat to the eyes and ears. The response that we have been getting is just overwhelming.

On the issue of Copyright:

The best part is that the issue is getting sorted. I am extremely happy that the government is on the singers’ and composers’ side or any creator, for that matter. I think our producers are kind enough to respect the fact that creators should get their due.

New age singers:

One thing that attracts me to a voice is originality. I really admire people who have their own style and I believe that the current generation of singers has a lot of potential. But I would refrain from comparing them to Kishore Kumar or any other veteran singer as I feel it is unfair. Every new generation of artistes should be respected for what they bring to the table.

My leisure time:

When I am not recording or when I am not in the studio, I enjoy relaxing at home and listening to music. Also I keep discovering new music on iTunes. I have recently been listening a lot to the band called XX and love their music. I enjoy long walks and that's something I do for almost an hour everyday. Long drives in the mountains are my favourite way to get away from the chaos of everyday Iife. I also enjoy travelling and try and catch up on reading books now and then when time permits.