Bollywood composer and singer Pritam gave an enthralling performance at the inaugural event of Rajgir Mahotsav on Sunday evening.

On Monday morning, minutes before he left Rajgir to catch his afternoon flight from Patna, Piyush Kumar Tripathi of The Telegraph engages in a quick chat with the music maestro, who revealed his love for litti-chokha, enjoying a break from work for the past one year and how Bollywood music industry has changed over the years.

Excerpts:

How was the experience of performing in Rajgir for the Mahotsav?

I love Rajgir. I used to come here with mummy-daddy in the ’80s when I was a kid. It’s a lovely place since it’s historically and culturally rich. People here are very energetic like in most other cities. The response from the audience during my performance on Sunday night was overwhelming.

From love songs to hip-hop, you and your group rocked it all. Which is your favourite genre?

Love songs are my all-time favourite (His Sunday night tracks included Phir Le Aaya Dil from Barfi!, Te Amo from Dum Maaro Dum, Pee loon from Once Upon A Time in Mumbai and Teri Ore from Singh is Kinng among others)

How has the music industry in Bollywood changed over the past few decades?

The most perceptible change in the music industry has been the change in recording techniques. Till the ’90s, music recordings were mostly analogue-based. But over the past decade, there have been more digital recordings, using computers and electronic equipment.
 

What are the criteria for you to associate with a new movie?

The movie and the script have to be good. Coordination with the director is also important for me.
 

Your favourite director and singer?

I think Anurag Basu. As far as a singer is concerned, it’s difficult to say because there are so many good singers.

Your recent projects?

Very recently? I am off work for the past one year. I have not taken up a single project in the past one year. While doing so, I rejected 40 films. I was on a break to rejuvenate. Now, I am filled with fresh energy to come up with some splendid music.

So what are your upcoming projects?

Phantom, Jagga Jasoos and Badtameez Dil are a few of my upcoming projects in 2015.
 
What would be your message to the budding musicians and singers?

Work hard! There is no substitute to hard work in music or any other industry.

Footnote: If Pritam was the rockstar at Rajgir Mahotsav, other singers in his group were equally loved by the audience. Nakkash Aziz and Antara Mitra of Saree ke Fall Sa fame from R…Rajkumar made the audience get up from their chairs and boogie. Soham Chakraborty of In Dino (Life in A Metro) fame also regaled the audience while performing with Pritam.