‘Music producers are half composers’: Meghdeep Bose

While composers walk away with accolades, it’s music producers who deserve a pat on their backs, too, for infusing life into tracks. Like Meghdeep Bose says, “What you hear from the singer is the composer’s job but everything else is the producer’s work. So, they are like half-composers.” Ergo, his ilk deserves to be called artistes. More from Meghdeep...  

You’ve worked extensively with Vishal-Shekhar (Bharat, Student of the Year 2, etc) and Amaal Malik. What’s been the best part?

The challenge. Vishal-Shekhar’s sensibilities are vast and unpredictable. They challenge you to create something unconventional and new. That gives me the high because I follow the ideology not repeating what I’ve already done. Amaal (as a composer) and I both had a breakthrough with Main Hoon Hero Tera. So, I have a different connection with him. His music is melodic and I come from a background of harmonies, too.  

You father Dilip Bose is a composer as well as a music producer. Why did you choose to become the latter?

I was brought up in studios and witnessed some of the greatest musicians at work. I realised that production is a lot more holistic process (though, of course, the melody is the king). Also, the involvement of technology fascinates me. We must realise that production is an art — you get to do a lot more in it than in composition. And I get the opportunity to work with so many composers. I do compose a bit and I’m open to it but I will never give up producing.   

Who have been your influences? 

India’s biggest producer is AR Rahman. Before him, there were separate designations for composers, arrangers, conductors, etc. But he consolidated everything. I admire Yanni, Quincy Jones, Salim-Suleiman, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. They are artistes and not composers because they do a lot more than just make melodies. 

A still from Aithey Aa in Bharat

Do you think producers don’t get due credit here?

Common people are not aware of a producer’s work. Reviews don’t mention them at all. A guitar piece, for instance, is credited to the composer while a producer creates it. This is the era of production considering there are so many remixes, which is not done by a composer. There’s hardly a category for us in awards. But times are changing now. It’s more collaborative and there’s no hierarchy. Composers credit us on their social media; I’m sure things will get better.  

Who are your favourite music producers?

I look up to Clinton Cerejo’s work for Vishal Bharadwaj. Jackie Vanjari, Abhijeet Nalani, Sachin-Jigar and late Pritesh Mehta, are also brilliant. 

What are you working on currently?

I’m composing for international projects — Running for a band called Model Man in the UK. I’m the additional composer and Indian recording sessions producer for Gurinder Chaddha’s series Beecham House. There’s something for Amaal, Vishal-Shekhar and some regional projects.