Rupam in his music room at his South End Park residence. Picture: Arnab Mondal

Rupam Islam means black shirt, black jeans and a black mop. It’s a rare occasion when t2 found him in a white shirt, chilling out at his South End Park home. “This is an exception. You will still find me wearing only black. Since Fossils 4 is coming out this Puja, I am thinking of the Shada Jama character from Fossils 3. Don’t know whether I would bring him back or not.... Bhabte bhabtei shada jama-ta pore phellam!” smiles Rupam. A t2 chat with the prolific singer-songwriter-composer...

Has your image of a bohemian rockstar undergone a change?

I was never a bohemian rockstar, and my image wasn’t like that at all! Jara ganja-khor, tara rotiyechhilo ami bohemian (Dopeheads have spread this rumour about me). I have always been a guchhono rockstar (smiles). I feel rockstars of our time are guchhono (disciplined). Like a cricketer, I am also organised. I am a singer-songwriter-performer. Ami guchhonoder dawley, ami bohemiander dawley noi! But I am bohemian in the way I think; I can be bohemian when it comes to my philosophy. I have to be disciplined in my practice so that I can spread the bohemian spirit amongst others. For that one doesn’t have to lead a bohemian lifestyle!

You have also been composing for films along with guitarist and Fossils member Allan Ao. How is that going?

I composed the music and the background score, wrote the lyrics and sang for Mahanagar@Kolkata (2010). It was my first film as a composer and I won the National Award for best playback singer. However, I had to deal with a tremendous amount of pressure when I was working on this film. At that time I didn’t have my own studio and I was doing everything on my own. I realised that if I had to deal with this kind of pressure, other areas of my work might be affected. I figured if I were to compose for films, it would help to have my own studio (which he does now in South End Park called Working Class Zero) and a co-composer. And I want to respect all co-artistes.

There are a number of music directors who just compose melodies and get someone else to arrange them for a fee. The name of the arranger is not even included on the credit list. I don’t believe in such practices. I come from a different background. I feel it is my responsibility to bring the guitarist, the drummer, the bassist to the forefront, give them prominence and work with them. Allan and I work as a duo. Allan is responsible for arrangement and production. We have done eight films together. This is a great space to explore other genres. Among other songs, we have also done an electro-folk song for Aakorshon. Allan is thinking up different kinds of arrangements, which would present us in a new light. We also would like do an item number!

Why were you drawn to playback singing?

I started singing for films because I was inspired by the songs of Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne and Hirak Rajar Deshe. I was drawn to the way Anup Ghoshal portrayed the traits of characters through songs. Also, how Kishore Kumar did it. And I got to sing a version of the popular Kishore Kumar song Shing nei tobu in Shukno Lanka (2010).

Are you trying to reach out to a wider audience through playback singing?

I feel it works both ways. When I started off as a musician in the 1990s, no music director was ready to give me work. After I tasted success with my band Fossils, they were ready to offer me work. So, I would say the opposite. Film music has reached a wider audience through me, which is also the reason why so many film songs have been picturised on me. I have an audience and people who are making films want to reach them through my songs.

In the last few years I have got the opportunity to sing songs straddling diverse genres, from hard rock and ballads to Rabindrasangeet, folk and semi-classical. This proves that my decision to do playback singing was right. And there isn’t a single eminent music director who hasn’t worked with me twice or more. This means they are satisfied with my work. In the 1990s, people questioned the philosophy of Bangla rock. They thought you couldn’t do rock in Bangla. So how come rock is an essential part of film music now? How come directors/producers are taking new singers, composers and lyricists? How is rock happening in film music? We (Fossils) were responsible for bringing in a new wave in modern Bengali music and the rest happened gradually.

How do you choose the songs you sing for films?

I’ll sing a song for a film only if I like it. Early in my playback career, composer Debajyoti Mishra had advised me to sing all kinds of songs and to be selective only after I had gained some experience. So now I can be selective. I charge a certain amount for playback. I feel one should draw a line somewhere. This helps me focus on quality. If I sing all kinds of songs at any rate, then the new breed of singers who sing for far less money won’t get an opportunity to perform. So I’m also doing this for them. If we can’t improve the economics of the industry, then things won’t grow or develop. We have done a similar thing to encourage new bands in the city.

You have recently recorded the Kakababu theme song for Srijit Mukherji’s Mishawr Rawhoshyo...

I was so excited to record the song. Kakababu is a dream character and holds a special meaning for me. I devoured Kakababu books as a kid and I was fascinated by the story, Paharchuray Atanka. And I got involved since Srijit started planning the film last year. One day Srijit came to my place to chat. He was thinking about making a film on Kakababu... Mishawr Rawhoshyo. I suggested that if he turned this venture into a series, he should consider two of my favourite Kakababu stories, Paharchuray Atanka and Jangoler Modhye Ek Hotel. I gave him a collection of Kakababu stories to read.... While recording the song, Srijit told me that he finds Kakababu’s characteristics in me. Music director Indraadip Dasgupta joked that my female fans might get angry if they hear this (laughs). The theme song defines the character and takes the viewer on a journey with the character.

You have sung in all three Srijit films...

I like working with Srijit. He is among those people who knows where I am coming from. He knows who I am and I’ve tried to understand him as well. I respect him and his work. He is a fine storyteller.

How would you assess your film career?

I have matured as a playback singer... I can be called a veteran now. I hope to satisfy all music directors who want to work with me. As a songwriter I have reached a point where if you ask me to write on a subject, I’ll give you a quality song in two days which you will like. I can write songs on any subject. Music direction is a new baby for me. I am trying to do some good work and if I work hard at it, I’ll reach the stage I want to. And I am working hard.

Sound check

First playback song: Jannat jahan in Jannat

Fave films he has sung for: Mahanagar@Kolkata, Autograph, Madly Bangalee, Hemlock Society, Bedroom

Fave bands: Nirvana, The Beatles, Mr Big, Pink Floyd, The Doors, The White Stripes

On the cards: Composing for Debraj Sinha’s Aakorshon, Raja Sen’s Colonel (in which Fossils features on screen for the first time) and Debaditya Bandopadhyay’s Nakshal... and more