Anupam Roy: It’s a challenge to compose music for movies like Shoojit Sircar's 'October’

It was in 2015 that Bengali music composer, lyricist, and singer Anupam Roy made his Hindi film debut with Piku. Now, the team that brought the Deepika Padukone-Irrfan Khan-starrer — director Shoojit Sircar and writer Juhi Chaturvedi — has October up next with Varun Dhawan. Anupam has re-united with them for a song, Tab Bhi Tum.

ON THE SPIRITUAL SIDE

While there have been other Hindi films in between that Anupam has composed music for, including Pink and Pari, the musician does share a comfort factor with Shoojit. “It’s lovely working with him. There were no restrictions put on me and I had full liberty to compose the song the way I wanted,” says the artiste. However, for the track in October, they have taken a different approach. “Usually, I compose the tune and then the lyricist comes up with the words. But this time, I got the lyrics first and composed the music later,” he says.

The lyrics of the song are more in the spiritual zone, shares Anupam. “There is a sense of love in them. The track says that when the world ends, you stay with me. It could be for a loved one or can be in a spiritual manner, for the Almighty,” he says. Anupam adds that this time, this track is unlike a typical Shoojit Sirkar melody. “The melody is a little more Indian. The song turned out to be such that I approached Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to sing it as I felt his voice would do justice to it,” he reveals.

MELODIES AND WORDS

The musician says that he enjoys composing for films like Pink, Pari and October which are slightly off the beaten track. “If it’s an out-and-out commercial film, you would need to compose at least four or five tracks. With films like these, you get that one song to connect with the audience and that’s the challenge. Also, I quite like this zone,” he says.

While it’s just been three years for him in the Hindi film industry, Anupam has been composing music for the Bengali film industry since 2010, getting his big break in the movie Autograph by Srijit Mukherji. However, he doesn’t treat any of the industries differently. “Every song is equal in any language. I have got enough support and love from wherever I have worked. The only difference I can think of is that I write the lyrics for my Bengali songs as well. My Hindi isn’t great, so in Bollywood, I’m restricted to the melody,” he adds. Does he want to work on his Hindi and give the lyrics a go? “I don’t think so. That takes too much of my time,” he smiles.

GOING WITH THE FLOW

Apart from composing for movies, the musician also has a band called The Anupam Roy Band, with whom he performs live. “We have a show coming up in Guwahati in early April,” he says. With four private albums behind him, there is a fifth one he is currently working on and also has a couple of singles on his mind. And while the artiste says that he is going with the flow when it comes to his music projects, he does have some concrete plans in mind. “Maybe by the end of this year, I can provide the listeners with something they have not heard till now,” he says, not willing to divulge further. Guess we will have to wait and watch!