Raid composer Tanishk Bagchi talks about recreating songs and trying to bag films as a solo composer
If Bollywood remixes are the order of the day, Tanishk Bagchi’s name figures prominently. After all, he has has to his credit hits like The Humma Song (OK Jaanu), Tamma Tamma (Badrinath Ki Dulhania), Hawa Hawai 2.0 (Tumhari Sulu), and many more. The composer clarifies, “I don’t remix but recreate a song. You need a certain art for that. I don’t spoil a number by forcefully making it a club song. I try to get the essence of the original song and do what’s minimally required.” He also prefers making soulful and romantic melodies. “I’m a softie at heart,” he laughs, “But, producers approach me for dance numbers because that’s what pulls a movie.” The music director talks about his just-released film Raid, why he wants to graduate from multi-composer projects to being the solo composer and upcoming works.
After Mere Rashke Qamar (Baadshaho), Tanishk has reinterpreted Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s compositions Saanu Ek Pal and Nit Khair Mangaa for Raid. He says, “I was approached to do the entire score of the movie. But I was tied up with other work, so I decided to do only a couple of tracks. They gave me references of the two songs because they wanted something similar to Rashke Qamar in a more uptempo style.” So, he composed an entire melody while using the hook for the numbers. A big fan of Amit Trivedi, he is thrilled to share the credits with the Dev.D composer.
Recreating melodies
The musician says that instead of just remixing, he rearranges songs, uses live instruments and dubs them all over again. “I want older melodies to come back and feel like I’ve achieved something when I hear Rashke Qamar, Humma, Gazab Ka Hai Din (Dil Juunglee) or Tamma Tamma playing at clubs as new songs,” he smiles. Reinterpreting the legendary Ustad Nusrat’s song (Rashke Qamar) for the first time didn’t make him nervous as he had worked on AR Rahman’s Humma (OK Jaanu) earlier. One composer whose tunes Tanishk would like to remake is Madan Mohan of Woh Kaun Thi? (1964), Mera Saaya (1966) etc. because his melodies have always haunted him.
Composing for entire soundtracks
Though Tanishk has worked with multiple composers on films, he now looks forward to Ayush Sharma’s launchpad Loveratri, which will be his first full-length album. “I’ve composed all the songs and designed a colourful soundscape based on Gujarat. I’ve collaborated with guest composers DJ Chetas and Pritam’s Jam8 on two songs because I wanted a new kind of production for those,” he says. Tanishk also has a couple of movies of Karan Johar’s production house this year. “I want to start pitching for entire soundtracks including background scores,” he says.
Other plans
Apart from cinema, he plans to work on non-film singles featuring street musicians and folk melodies. As for playback singing, he says that he’s not too confident. “I’m a bit scared for my voice. Singing is a different ballgame altogether and I don’t want to turn my focus from being a solo composer for films. Later, when I have enough time and money, I will go for playback singing,” Tanishk signs off.
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 "Tanishk Bagchi")
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