MUMBAI: Every song has a story behind it, and the contemporary soundtrack of the upcoming film ‘Shootout at Wadala’ has many such anecdotes. Having made it a known fact that the film marks the comeback of popular composer Anu Malik, it also witnesses him scoring background music after 15 years.
Being a good friend of director Sanjay Gupta, it was not hidden that Malik would be roped in for some compositions in the album. He was initially approached for the title song ‘Ala re Ala’ which is rendered by Mika Singh and features a contemporary vibe with the use of instruments like synthesizer and brass.
The story goes that since the track was highly appreciated by Gupta, Malik was requested to compose the background music and an item track for the film.
Speaking with Radioandmusic.com, Malik said, “I was roped in for the soundtrack at the last moment. I was doing the title song and they loved it so much that they wanted a background score from me too. Gupta had told me they were doing an item number, but Priyanka Chopra had already rejected two songs and time was running out. So as a friend, he asked me to help him out which I did. He motivated me a lot.”
The item song ‘Babli Badmaash’ originated when Malik was tapping his desk in the studio and used the word ‘Babli’ as a reference to Chopra’s nature. Lyricist Kumar, who was present at the time, incorporated a few lyrics along with the tune and kept developing it. After the scratch version was ready, it was sent to the taskmaster Ekta Kapoor who liked it along with Chopra. The track was then recorded in a span of four days.
With most bollywood films now featuring item numbers for mere promotional purposes, most musicians and film-makers add an extra flavour through the lyrics. This in turn has caught the attention of the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) which stated that the certification of dance numbers in films will be based on their content and will be examined as per the song.
As reported by Radioandmusic.com earlier, the clarification comes in the wake of raging debate about ‘obscenity’ in item numbers, which have now become a key feature of most commercial films. Positively, ‘Babli Badmaash’ has attained a U/A certificate from the board.
“Priyanka Chopra was very sure that she did not want any vulgar or suggestive words in the track. If you see, nobody wants to be associated with an item number comprising of crassy lyrics. Times have changed and so have the audience’s sensibilities. The picturisation of the song is done well and it can be watched with family,” commented Malik.
Rendered by playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan, the four and a half minute song recreates the spirit of the 80s in a contemporary style featuring brass and trumpets. Malik states that Chopra was his original choice to render the track, but since she was bound in a contract with a leading music label she had to back out.
Commenting on the song, he said, “It is a very hummable track and not just a watchable one, like many songs coming out now. I had to bring the 80s feel in a contemporary way through the song. So there were no hip-hop rhythms or R&B styles. The song is like a mixture of RD Burman and Firoz Ahmed style.”
Apart from the two tracks and the background music, Malik has also composed a third song for the film titled ‘Puche Mere Naina’ which is a soft song rendered by Mohit Chauhan. Also featuring composers like Anand Raj Anand, Meet Brothers and Mustafa Zahid, the music album comprising of distinct sounds will be unveiled at an event tomorrow.
But the composer states that working on the background score of such an integral film after a hiatus of 15 years was a tedious but fun job.
“I have made the film on my own by doing the background score of it after a gap of around 15 years. Currently I am in the studio working on the same, and it is a tedious but fun job as I have to understand each character well to infuse the right feel. Music is an integral part of any film and it is more important in a hard-core film like this. For this film, we are not relying on the item number to create popularity as it has a fantastic soundtrack,” he expressed.
Talking excitedly about his big comeback in mainstream commercial films, the composer has also signed two upcoming big budget films and is all set to bring about a new wave of music through his compositions.