The music of films like 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge', 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander', 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' and 'Sarfarosh', have been among a few films to have brought composer duo Jatin- Lalit their fame. Although the brothers have parted ways, their music is still remembered today. In fact, Lalit still offers hits like 'Munni Badnaam Hui' and continues to take up big projects. On the occasion of 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' completing 1000 weeks, Radioandmusic's Jescilia Karayamparambil gets candid in an interview with Lalit Pandit.

Journey of 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge'

It was an opportunity that Jatin and I received to work with Lataji for the first time. It was an experience that taught us a lot. Right from the narration by Aditya Chopra, we realised that he (Chopra) was going to be the hero of the film and that's how it turned out. When we were working on the project we never imagined that it would reach even close to 1000 weeks. It is overwhelming to know that we have completed 19 years and 1000 weeks. It is an amazing feeling to be part of such a historic moment. In Jatin-Lalit's career, it was a memorable experience.

How much do you miss your brother when a film you have composed music for reaches 1000 weeks?

We are together in the celebration of 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' as we both worked on the project. We planned everything together. When we were working on it, we worked very closely. It was a big opportunity given to us by Yash Raj Productions. We knew that we had to do our very best. We were motivated by the fact that Lataji would be singing for us and that was one of the happiest moments in our lives.

Recently, BBC Asia conducted a poll and asked people to vote for the best musical Indian films of all time. They shortlisted 40 films and it include films like 'Teesri Manzil', 'Guide', 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge', 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' and others. From the list, people selected the soundtrack of 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' as the greatest musical film. People voted in millions.

Would you still use the style of music that 'DDLJ' had in any of your present/future projects?

Absolutely. It has been 19 years since recording songs for the film. Then, it was a completely different process. Each song had more than 50 musicians playing contributing to it. We recorded it with the best technology of that time, which came from England. We had a good team of technicians that helped us creating a song with so much clarity. We wrote the whole song down before we started working on the sound. That time the way songs were created was different. That time, 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' interludes were composed by my assistant Richard Mitra, orchestra arranger Babulda and me. It was a completely different way of recording. There is a huge difference in the way music is made today compared to the time the music for 'DDLJ' was composed.

Do you have to compromise with your music when working with big Bollywood projects?

I do not think there is any form of compromise as there is no scope for compromise. Not while you are writing lyrics and composing tunes. There is no chance of doing so while you are producing songs. I am honoured to have produced some of the biggest hits in the country. I have given music to many Shah Rukh Khan produced and starred films. I have worked with Salman Khan's 'Dabangg'. Most of the film music that I worked on was released on a large scale. There are minor compromises that take place in production so I believe that it should not be done.

From 'DDLJ' to Dabangg's 'Munni Badnaam Hui', things have changed. Did you decide to create the song 'Munni Badnaam Hui' keeping in mind the change?

When I did 'Munni Badnaam Hui', I had different reasons. I wanted to have the focus back on me after the separation of the brand name Jatin-Lalit. I had to find a new start, very quickly. 'Munni Badnaam Hui' went on to win 48 awards that year. I have never got so many awards in my life. That did change things for me. But I never realised that I would create a wave and I would also be swept away with the trend. There were composers who tried to make another 'Munni Badnaam Hui'. Songs like 'Munni Badnaam Hui' and 'Pehla Nasha' cannot be repeated in a career. We should keep evolving; create new things. Some songs just happen and the magic of it cannot be re-created in another song.

Are you getting your share of royalty after composing songs like this?

Even though the law has been made, it still not been implemented. We are not getting royalties as many companies are not giving them to us. Hopefully, everything will fall in place, and those companies that do not follow the law will face the consequences.

What is your take on musicians/singers who do not join the Copyright society?

Artistes should join the Copyright society that represents them as it helps protect their rights.

Which new projects are you working on?

I have composed music for films directed by Naresh Malhotra. I am working on two love story based films. I am also working with Kapil Sibal and Javed Akhtarji for few films. There many projects that I am working on currently.