Music composer Manan Bharadwaj, who has composed music for the film Shiddat is all set to roll, finds his Godfather in Bhushan Kumar

Sheetal

Music composer Manan Bharadwaj hails from Haryana. He has done a number of projects in Bollywood in a short span of time. As he gears up for promotion of his first film Shiddat, we catch up with him on his journey so far, about his mentor Bhushan Kumar, some upcoming collaborations with Punjabi singers.

Abundance of content has made artistes look for a unique selling point. Has finding a USP become important?

If you stay true to your art, everything is secondary. My job is to do my best. My work never leaves my studio if I am not convinced about giving my hundred per cent to it.

Your title song for the film Shiddat has released. What’s the takeaway for listeners?

I believe this song is like water and will eventually make its own course. We have tried to bring something new and I have got good feedback so far.

Do you like experimenting? Does it make you nervous?

While dabbling with something new, it is always risky if the composer is not confident, but one cannot let fear overpower the creative side. When Roja came out, its music was something we had never heard before. Had it not been released; I wouldn’t have been a composer. AR Rahman sir’s songs (listening to Roja cassette on repeat at the age of four), his interviews have been a part of my education.

You have worked with director Kunal Deshmukh in Shiddat and now set to work in movies like Radhe Shyam and Hit. So, which director has become your favourite?

I am new to the industry and would be able to answer this may be 10 years later when I would have done enough work with different directors. Picking favourites is a complete no-no, just like a composer can’t afford to have a favourite genre.

You have composed music for hit songs like Veham, Kandhe Ka Vo Til, Pehle Pyar Ka Pehla Gham and Teri Aankhon Mein? Who do you give the credit for your success?

As my bio reads, I am officially and luckily owned by T-Series. So, the credit goes to Bhushan sir (Bhushan Kumar, music producer and MD of T-Series) for noticing the potential in my compositions. He is like a godfather to me. I remember sending Teri Aankhon Mein to him at 5 am. I am happy that Divya Khosla Kumar (Bhushan’s wife) featured in the song. It brings me immense pleasure to be the composer of the song that has crossed 360 million views.

You don’t have a favourite genre as a composer, but as a listener, do you have favourites?

My music playlist is not in sync with the current times. I listen to western music to keep myself updated. I also listen to Ghulam Ali sahab, Mehndi Hassan sahab, Jagjit sahab and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

As Bollywood has become the ultimate promoter of Punjabi music, have you got a chance to collaborate with Punjabi artistes?

For Shiddat I have collaborated with a gem of a person and powerhouse of Punjabi Sufi music, Master Saleem ji. He is always high on energy. We had recorded all night and yet when we reached home, he sat with his harmonium and sang. He has sung Chitta Kukkad, a rendition of Punjabi folk song, for which I have given music. Also, Guru Randhawa and I will soon come out with a song.

Was it a proud moment when Haryanvis showed their excellence at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics?

Whether it’s a Haryanvi or from any part of India, we are always proud when Indians do something great for the country. I believe ‘jaise Bihari ka dil toota hai toh UPSC clear kar deta hai, vaise Haryanvi ka dil toota hai to voh medal le aata hai’. We do everything passionately.