The reluctant romantic

He may come across as an indifferent as any 29-year-old but it is the talent which gives away Mithoon's real persona under the camouflage of aloofness. Looking at his reticent and introvert personality, it would be hard to believe that the same guy has given music to some of the best romantic numbers in recent times. Life came to a full circle when this young composer, many say he is most underrated talent in today's time, won numerous awards for Aashiqui 2 – his father was a music arranger for the original 20 years ago. Here Mithoon talks about his work, life and music. Read on...

Tell us about your journey as a music composer and person...
My first memory of music was probably when I was four or five years old. I was very fond of the song 'So Gaya Yeh Jaahan' from the movie 'Tezaab' which was sung by Nitin Mukesh. My father was a music arranger and musicians were always in the house, trying out new things. Since that era was all about music sittings unlike the software and email based system which is prevalent now, I remember a tambourine that was sitting in my living room and I would pick it up and try to have fun by playing it. And when I was in college, I got my first film offer, all thanks to my father and one thing led to another and here I am (smiles).

How close is Aashiqui (1 and 2) to you?
Aashiqui 1 is very close to me since my father was the music arranger for the movie. And then when I got the chance to do Aashiqui 2, it was almost as if life had come to a full circle. What is even more gratifying is all the recognition and the awards it has garnered and the hearts it has touched across the world. Though it has been one full year since 'Tum Hi Ho' released, I still get mails and texts from listeners. And I dedicate all the awards and the recognition it has received to my father.

You have given music to some very romantic songs. How romantic are you in real life?
I'm a very imaginative person and it's God's gift to us because there is no limit to the thought process. People close to me usually describe me as inexpressive and not very colourful and maybe that's why all of that comes out through my songs. Romance is more about being spontaneous and demonstrative which I'm not.

Which composer inspires (or has inspired) you the most?
I must say that my inspiration is only Jesus but in terms of influence it has been my father (Naresh Sharma). He introduced me to some amazing composers like Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Madan Mohan whose work I discovered in great detail. Subsequently, it was composers like Viju Shah, MM Kreem and the one and only AR Rahman whose work I admire a lot.

Times have changed, music too has changed. Comment.
Music is a reflection of every generation and when people change, ideas change, thoughts and perceptions change and hence music also has to change and that change is good.

Do you think words and poetry have lost value in today's music?
I don't think words and poetry have lost value. A song like 'Tum Hi Ho' and the level it went to across the world proves that one should not underestimate the audience and that good poetry does connect. There will always be exceptions to everything in life, including music. In fact if you look at the poetry of someone like Saeed Qadri saab in the last decade, it has all been lapped up by the common man (songs like Awarapan Banjarapan).

Among the contemporaries, who is your favourite composer?
As I said before, there is a lot of good work being done and each one is different and distinct from the other. It would be unfair to pick one.

Most of your movies are produced by the Bhatts. Comment.
I do a lot of work with the Bhatts. One reason is, I have a very good creative rapport with them and they believe in my music and give me the space I require to create what I want. I'd also like to add that my identity was created by 'Bas Ek Pal', 'The Train' and 'Anwar' which were not produced by the Bhatts.

What is your take on the ongoing controversy on music rights?
Honestly, there needs to be a balanced approach. The problem here is that there is no credible body/association unlike the west where an Artist can track and receive royalties. So the trust has to be built in the system and once the Artists see that it is working, it will be fine. Of course we have a long way to go to achieve that.

What do you think about remakes (as in recomposing old songs)? Would you do that?
I am not against it. I would do it if the necessary legalities are in place and feel that as a music producer, I have a creative route and could add something to it and not just piggy back on the success of an old song.

Tell us something about your current films. How their music is different from others?
Immediately up for release is my song in the Rajshri Production, 'Samrat & Co' but two other films 'The Villain' and 'Creature 'are due in the next couple of months where I've done more than just one song. With Mohit, (The Villain) I go back a long way and we have this tuning which helps in the music creation process. Creature is India's first IMAX film and hopefully will set the ball rolling for many more in this genre (directed by Vikram Bhatt). Apart from this, I have also composed for 'Traffic' which is a remake of a Malayalam film.