MUMBAI: In the space of 24 hours, Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravijani found themselves retweeting and thanking every post and comment congratulating the duo’s latest efforts. And in both the cases, the noted composers absolutely deserved every accolade. While one effort took the duo’s sound to the west, the second justified why they have gradually become Bollywood’s ‘go-to’ guys for desi compositions.
Released on 16 August on YouTube, ‘Beliya’ – the single featuring Vishal-Shekhar and the popular rock band from the UK ‘The Vamps’ – is one of the ideal examples of ‘East meets West’ sound done right. The music video – exclusively accessible on Hungama Music – features the composers in the studio with the members of The Vamps, and acting as cherry on the cake is the lead singer Bradley Simpson singing the Hindi lyrics as well. Collaborations with western musicians known for a particular style and sound can be tricky, as it usually involves compromising on the initial intent with the composition. However, a single listen to ‘Beliya’ ensures the duo have managed to find comfort (with The Vamps) and the intended outcome through the four-minute-long track.
The song opens with ‘dholak’ and the folk instrument returns during the chorus. The ‘dholak’ isn’t the only ‘desi’ instrument to find a place in Beliya’s sound, as the composers subtly utilise flute further in the track. The fusion of two cultures reflects, to a certain extent, through ‘Beliya’ and more than anything else, the song stands as a celebration of the same. ‘Beliya’ becomes the duo’s first collaboration with an international band, and indeed what a band to create your first international collaboration with.
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A day within the release of ‘Beliya’, the composers of the ‘Allah Ke Bande’ and ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’ fame continued to bask in the moment of this week’s glory and spotlight with the release of ‘Bappa’ – the single from the upcoming movie ‘Banjo’. Unlike ‘Beliya’, the duo did not have to put added efforts in ensuring the outcome is spot-on. With over a decade of existence and evolution in Bollywood, Vishal and Shekhar precisely know the formulae that demands instant success.
What scale! Truly befitting Ganpati Bappa! Who said a #Banjo can't rock!? @Riteishd rocking it hard! #BappaSong https://t.co/zQMoa8irxS
— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) August 18, 2016
If the unique collaboration with an international famed band acted as a catalyst to first single’s success, Bollywood’s presence and the timing of the release of the second track further boosted its instant traction. Adding to that is the Riteish Deshmukh factor – an actor who enjoys impressive fan-following of his own, features in the music video.
This is too cool #the vamps with @VishalDadlani @ShekharRavjiani https://t.co/IesE2bWo3G @TANAAZB
— Ritesh Sidhwani (@ritesh_sid) August 17, 2016
It comes as no surprise that the duo would continue to build on their reputation in Bollywood, but the good news comes from the fact that the composers’ collaboration with an international act is only the first of many more to come. The duo may not receive the credit for pioneering either of the initiatives, but the composers’ relevancy and ability to adapt to the musical requirements as well as changing times sums up their versatility, in a way.
