Chaitanya Bhosle, popularly known as ‘Chintu’ has come up with music album 'Coming Home’ where he is sharing space with his –(legendary grandmother) Asha Bhosle.

Chintu has acted in Bollywood and done countless shows in India and abroad. He was also a video jockey (VJ) for a year in Zee Music in the year 2004. In 2006, he had helped launch India’s largest radio station Big FM as the programming head for its Mumbai operations. His first solo album ‘Sapne Suhane’ was launched in 2009. He is also a member of boy band, ‘A Band of Boys’. Recently, he also performed at Kala Ghoda festival.

Speaking with Radioandmusic.com, he shares his lighter and difficult moments and talks about  grandmother Ashaji. He expresses all his love and dedication with music.

Excerpts:

Could you tell the readers about your album ‘Coming Home’?

'Coming Home' for me is an endeavour that was composed live by musicians; nothing is programmed.

Every song has an English and a Hindi version. English would help foreigners understand what’s happening in the song. Every song has the Indian instruments in it. It gives an idea of what happens in India and that’s what the endeavour is.

My grand-mom (Aai) has also sung three songs. For the title track ‘Coming Home’, I told her; “ let’s use your voice as an instrument in that song.”

The other interesting part is that it’s sung in five different languages- Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati and Hindi. There was great response to the (regional) versions more than the Hindi one. I have been working on this one for eight-nine months. It is because of my friends who have played in it. It’s tough for a musician to do an album. They said it’s a hard project and we are there for you. It is about absolute togetherness and absolute love. The video is out and it’s out in all five languages

How was it working in a professional space with Ashaji?

When we would get inside the studio, she would say that now you are music director and we are no longer related (grandmother-grandson).

The first song that was recorded was a rock n roll song; she would tell me to guide her on how to go about with the song. So I would reply; you do your style so she would reply, if I would use my own style how will I learn because you are more of the western style composer. She would ask me to teach her. After she use to finish the recordings, she use to call me at ten o’clock in the night to say did everything go well, I would assure her yes it did.

She would start pointing out her mistakes and say can we record again because she feels it’s not gone on a right track. Even after singing 11, 000 songs she goes over and over again on how she sang and should she do it again. Her dedication towards her art is proved by her willingness to learn always.

What did you learn professionally from her?

Lot of dedication, like when we sang the song; she was on her toes all the time. Her focus was so absolute that she did not even want to leave the studio or even sit down. She would immerse herself in the music and I think it is a brilliant thing. That is, one thing that I keep reminding myself. She has a 'never say die' attitude. She would try anything that is new.

Apart from the album, what is keeping you busy?

Band of Boys are planning of doing a couple of film songs. I have very strong project going on a personal front. I am teaching kids drums, guitar, keyboard, vocals and how to write  and compose songs. I encourage them to play their own song and record it too. And show how much they can do in spite knowing little about.

How was the experience listening to Zanaya in ‘Mai’?

I was so happy listening to her. She has learnt classical and I think she can go a long way and the thing is that she has appetite for music. It’s not necessary at all to be a musician only because you’re from the family of musician. But she has a very strong grasp over music. If she continues, she has a very fantastic journey ahead of her.

How has Ashaji taken the sudden loss of her daughter?

When I was speaking to Aai she was crying the whole night after my aunt passed away. Early morning at five, I wrote two songs after that. One from Aai’s perspective as a mother and one as my perspective about my aunt’s journey.

She has been very strong. It’s not easy to lose a child. I would say that no parent can outlive this thing. It’s toughest thing to happen. Having said that the incident has happen, we believe and hope that our aunt is in a happier place now. Aai has moved on and she is back to her work. Such things happen, it always depends on how you take it.

Do you enjoy live performance or studio recording?

I live for live performance. Studio recording is in a controlled environment where you can give takes. But in live you can’t take re-takes.  People react on what we do. When you mess up how you can cover the scene? You make a mistake and you laugh and audience laughs with you.  It’s beyond imagination how it keeps you on toes every time on the stage. It is something I thoroughly enjoy. Recording versus stage show- hundred per cent stage show. No moment is same on stage. Even if you sing one song each time it sounds different. Studio needs perfection and stage is energy and fun.

What is the current status of independent artist in India today?

It’s been neglected and thanks to many platforms likes Artist Aloud as they have taken a big risk of entering the space that has shrunk. Many companies think that there is no money in this so they shy away from investing in it. We are in the brink of revolution now, within next two years it will start exploding. We have to stick around for a while and it will happen. It’s just a rough day right now.

What your plans with Bollywood?

Unfortunately, Bollywood doesn’t wait for you; you have to wait for Bollywood. Even as I have done couple of projects and spoken about it with great enthusiasm but it didn’t release and I ended up looking funny. So I would say I will wait for it to come. My journey is mostly for Indian independent music because my music is all about inspiration.