Armaan Malik and Amaal Mallik — the deadly duo who rocked the city on Christmas Eve at I-Attitude partnered by t2 — were just two cool brothers with no attitude when t2 sat down for an adda backstage after their Orchid Garden gig. And yes, they even interviewed each other, just for their t2 fans!
Picture: B. Halder
With 2016 coming to an end, what has been the biggest high for you this year?
Amaal: For me I have done quite a few songs this year like Soch na sake from Airlift, then Sanam Re... Kapoor & Sons and Baar Baar Dekho… a lot of films. But because of M.S. Dhoni (The Untold Story) I think this year is going to be special because it was my first solo album and today it feels good because it has made it to the list of the Oscars, so it’s a proud feeling!
Armaan: I think the biggest reward that we have got this year was the love of the fans and even when we were both performing on stage, the reaction of the people to songs like Buddhu sa mann, Sau aasmaan. We looked at each other and had a smile on our face thinking humne yeh ghar pe banaya tha aur aaj it reached out to these many people and they are loving it, so that’s a great feeling. And there is a feeling of completion that at the end of the year we have accomplished these many songs and we have put out some great music. And getting the love back is the biggest award.
What was your reaction to the news of M.S. Dhoni being shortlisted for the Oscars?
Amaal: I remember when the film started I was called for one song, Kaun tujhe, but then from there to Besabriyaan to Jab tak to all the songs, it’s been a crazy journey. I need to give credit to Neeraj Pandey because he is a fabulous film-maker, but then for this movie we had to balance things because it was not a musical subject. So it was tough to make the songs… even the romantic songs couldn’t be quintessential Bollywood hero ke romantic songs... they are according to Dhoni’s personality. But luckily Armaan’s rendition of Jab tak, Besabriyaan and Kaun tujhe with Palak (Muchhal), even Phir kabhi by Arijit (Singh)... all of that has gone out and reached out to people.
What does 2017 look like?
Amaal: I am going to turn singer in Badrinath ki Dulhania (Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan). The best thing was when Armaan heard my scratch, he said, “I think only you should sing the song”. I sent the song in my rough voice for the shooting and everyone…
Armaan: ...Karan Johar said that I don’t see this song in anyone else’s voice except Amaal’s, which was awesome! And then there is a very big song coming up from Amaal and me at the start of 2017. It is a non-film song which is completely different from what I do… everyone knows me as the romantic singer singing love songs but this is going to be a dance song. The party number will be featuring me in the video, Amaal has composed the music, it’s written by Kumaar sir and the video is directed by Gifty who has shot songs like Chaar botal vodka, Blue eyes…. We shot the video in LA so yeah, we are looking forward to this one. It shows me in a different avatar — it’s Armaan Malik revamped.
How was it performing together for the first time in Calcutta?
Amaal: I had a blast!
Armaan: It’s been a long time that people have been waiting for both of us to perform in a concert. We have a lot of Bengali fans and Calcutta fans too who wanted to see us together and finally we got that for them on a very auspicious day, Christmas.
Talking about Bengali fans, you sang Dhitang dhitang from Love Express… any Bengali tracks you love listening to?
Armaan: I haven’t heard the old songs but I have heard a lot of Jeet Gannguli’s stuff because he is one of the big composers in the Bengali film industry. His songs like Ki kore toke bolbo, Mon majhi re... that song is brilliant. Having sung Dhitang dhitang for Dev, I am glad that I am a part of the Bengali music scene and I am definitely singing more Bengali songs for sure.
ARMAAN TO AMAAL:
I want to ask Amaal whether he will be able to compose better tunes than what he has already done?
Amaal: This is a question even I was asking myself but I will, don’t worry beta, it’s coming… (grins)
Armaan: Main tereko test pe nahin daal raha tha…main aise hi poochh rahaa tha...
Amaal: There is always a calm before the storm...
I would like to know which is that one music director apart from Pritam, who has influenced your musicality and sound in whatever way..
Amaal: I listen to a lot of music from outside, lot of background scores... Hans Zimmer, his music, the orchestral stuff that he does I have incorporated that style in Main hoon hero tera (Hero). Towards the end there’s like a horns-and-string section... I am very inspired and I love Hans Zimmer, he is
The Guy!
Do you think being in love or having a heartbreak can really bring out a song in you? And if the feeling is genuine do you think it translates into a song that people will connect with?
Amaal: It always does! Even sometimes when I don’t have a heartbreak I purposely get my heart broken so that I can make that song! (Laughs out loud)
Armaan: Toh yeh baat!
AMAAL TO ARMAAN:
Armaan, are you single? (Grins)
Armaan: Ummm….yes I am as of now but I am looking out for that ladki beautiful..
Amaal: But will she kar gayi chull (laughs)?
Armaan: Well, that I hope she does not.
So we have worked a lot together, it’s my dream to see you work with all the big composers in the country, but one composer you think you want to work with?
Armaan: I think I would really love to work with Pritamda. It’s a long list of composers that I have made for myself but he tops the list! There is something about his songs that is magnetic for singers and I would love my voice to be a part of his soundtracks and songs.
Ab yeh third question bahut kameena wala dhoondna hai mujhko (Thinks)…Okay, so... mom loves you or me more?
Armaan: (Wearing a broad smile) Actually we both know the answer… she loves me more!
t2: Seriously?!
Amaal: (Laughs) Yes. She is fed up of me but she loves Armaan more.
Armaan: Definitely yes! Matlab he is the first son so obviously there is a different connect to him but I am the favourite!
Pramita Ghosh
The one question I would like to ask Armaan/Amaal is.... Tell t2@abp.in
