Sonu Nigam, Srijit Mukherji and Indraadip Dasgupta in the Mumbai studio

Time: 10pm

Place: Sound Ideas Studio, Andheri West, Mumbai

The Players: Srijit Mukherji, Indraadip Dasgupta, Sonu Nigam

Mission: The recording of Mishawr Rawhoshyo’s climax song

He came. He sang. He conquered.

After hearing the track, he patiently wrote down the lyrics, going over each syllable, each note, each intonation and each word carefully. I wanted the song to have a slight non-Bengali touch because of the perspective in which it is written. I also carefully paraphrased the entire song in English describing the visual sequence in the film.

After all that, two hours. That’s all the man took to deliver a brilliant rendition of the song which sums up the philosophy of the anti-hero of the film, the Egyptian revolutionary, Hani Alkadi (played by Indraneil Sengupta).

And here are the excerpts of the customary adda which followed the recording.

Srijit: So, how was the experience?

Sonu: Oh it was terrific! Quite amazing. As I told you, nowadays it’s not the quantity but the quality of songs which determines whether I am going to sing or not. Just a few days back I turned down a Kannada song because I didn’t like the composition. But this one, as soon as I heard it, I knew I would love to sing it.

Amongst your recent numbers, I thought the Agneepath one (Abhi mujh mein kahin) was a real stunner...

Oh yes, it is very close to my heart! What a fantastic composition!

You have become very selective about work lately, haven’t you? We don’t get to hear you all that much nowadays...

Yes, true. Nowadays I like singing only when a song stimulates me in some way. But that has not resulted in a relaxed schedule as you can see (pointing at the time). Have a huge concert coming up tomorrow, at Sanmukhananda Hall, where Lataji (Mangeshkar) and Ashaji (Bhosle) would be sitting in the first row watching me perform! You can well imagine how much I would have to rehearse to be ready for such an occasion. Then I have a concert in Bali, amongst other concerts and recordings. So a lot of travelling on the cards, and hardly any rest.

So, it’s all work and no play?

No, there I must say, I insist on a yearly vacation, which is definitely happening. And this time, it’s going to be the Kruger National Park!

Wow! You are a jungle lover as well!

Well, I would say a travel buff!

Coming back to songs, especially vernacular songs, you have sung in almost all major Indian languages. How challenging is the lyrics bit?

Extremely, and I try my level best to get not only the pronunciation but also the intonation right. It really helps if the person dictating the lyrics goes slightly slower (laughs)! And especially if it’s Bengali, I am extra careful and wary of the language, and tend to switch off whenever it’s spoken!

And why is that?

Because my wife has a Bong connection, and that is the language which is often spoken around me! And as all married men will vouch, inevitably one switches off for such a language... (all of us break into a laugh). Nahin nahin, am just kidding... I love everything Bengali yaar!

(And as the adda slowly came to an end, we part ways, though not before he expresses his desire to work with Indraadip Dasgupta again soon, and compliments him heavily on his singing prowess. ‘Mumbai aa jaiyye dada, we need more talented composers like you who can sing as well)!’