Shashwat Sachdev, music composer of recently released bollywood movie ‘ Veere di Wedding’, speaks with the reporter Shalini Saksena about getting a break in bollywood.

How did you get to work with Tony Maserati, the American record producer?

I met him at a workshop that I was a part of in Europe. I kept in touch with him even after the workshop was over. This association led to my working with him. I was invited by him to the US. Then I moved to India in 2015 and have been in Mumbai since then.

Does that mean you go for many workshops?

I come from a non-musical background, my father  is a doctor and my mother is a Philosophy lecturer. I myself studied law. So I have an academic background. But I learnt Hindustani Classical vocal for 21 years due to guru–shishya tradition. I learnt western classical piano for 11 years. Though I have been around a lot of music but haven’t got a formal training. I don’t come from a family where I could go for an international degree in music for three years. But it is nice to have a formal connect with music education therefore I had gone for a workshop in audio engineering.

Were you always interested in composing?

Yes, I was always interested in composing even though I learnt vocals. My parents and guru realised early that I needed to learn piano when I was in Class VII so that I could get the right guidance when it came to writing music and that got me started on my compositional career.

Were there any challenge that came in composing for Veere Di Wedding?

Actually, the co-producer of the film Rhea Kapoor and I were responsible for the music in the film. We connected instantly when I met her three years back. I played her my music which was very desi when it came to the kind of music I had composed. But the arrangement was very contemporary. She really liked this. This is basic premise of the music in Veere… For example, there is a bhagara song. Both of us wanted to give it a different treatment so that it had a folk element but was contemporary enough for the young generation to identify with and enjoy.

How did you get your break in Bollywood?

When I had moved to the US, it was for a short period but ended up staying for much longer. But since my music had lot of Indian element to it so people told me that I should move to India. So I moved here— it was only supposed to be for a few months. But then I met Rhea. She is the reason why I stayed on. While working on Veere… I got Phillauri. While my first movie is Veere…, Phillauri released earlier.

What are the challenges that you face as a composer?

The only challenge is in my head — on how to make a better melody than yesterday. Making better music than yesterday and better myself. If I had given a certain kind of music in Phillauri, then how to be different in Veere… To not be repetitive is my aim.

A lot of collaboration is being done with international musicians. What has changed?

Indian musicians have always worked with international artists. Also, we now have the technology and platforms due to the Internet to find and collaborate with an artist internationally. We have the resources that makes it easier to reach out. International artists also want to work with Indian artists.

Did your parents have a problem with you pursuing a musical career?

Actually, my father supported me wholly. People say that they were given an opportunity and that is how they got a break in the industry. For me, what I got from my parents is so much bigger than the opportunity. I was consistently inspired and motivated by my parents. They gave me all the resources that I needed to where I am today. They were extremely encouraging including my sister, who is an architect, and an important part of my audience.

Are you working on some other project?

Like I was simultaneously working on Veere… while doing Phillauri, I have been working on other projects while doing Veere… I am also working with international artistes.

Writer: Shalini Saksena

Courtesy: The Pioneer

Shashwat Sachdev, music composer of recently released bollywood movie ‘ Veere di Wedding’, speaks with the reporter Shalini Saksena about getting a break in bollywood.

How did you get to work with Tony Maserati, the American record producer?

I met him at a workshop that I was a part of in Europe. I kept in touch with him even after the workshop was over. This association led to my working with him. I was invited by him to the US. Then I moved to India in 2015 and have been in Mumbai since then.

Does that mean you go for many workshops?

I come from a non-musical background, my father  is a doctor and my mother is a Philosophy lecturer. I myself studied law. So I have an academic background. But I learnt Hindustani Classical vocal for 21 years due to guru–shishya tradition. I learnt western classical piano for 11 years. Though I have been around a lot of music but haven’t got a formal training. I don’t come from a family where I could go for an international degree in music for three years. But it is nice to have a formal connect with music education therefore I had gone for a workshop in audio engineering.

Were you always interested in composing?

Yes, I was always interested in composing even though I learnt vocals. My parents and guru realised early that I needed to learn piano when I was in Class VII so that I could get the right guidance when it came to writing music and that got me started on my compositional career.

Were there any challenge that came in composing for Veere Di Wedding?

Actually, the co-producer of the film Rhea Kapoor and I were responsible for the music in the film. We connected instantly when I met her three years back. I played her my music which was very desi when it came to the kind of music I had composed. But the arrangement was very contemporary. She really liked this. This is basic premise of the music in Veere… For example, there is a bhagara song. Both of us wanted to give it a different treatment so that it had a folk element but was contemporary enough for the young generation to identify with and enjoy.

How did you get your break in Bollywood?

When I had moved to the US, it was for a short period but ended up staying for much longer. But since my music had lot of Indian element to it so people told me that I should move to India. So I moved here— it was only supposed to be for a few months. But then I met Rhea. She is the reason why I stayed on. While working on Veere… I got Phillauri. While my first movie is Veere…, Phillauri released earlier.

What are the challenges that you face as a composer?

The only challenge is in my head — on how to make a better melody than yesterday. Making better music than yesterday and better myself. If I had given a certain kind of music in Phillauri, then how to be different in Veere… To not be repetitive is my aim.

A lot of collaboration is being done with international musicians. What has changed?

Indian musicians have always worked with international artists. Also, we now have the technology and platforms due to the Internet to find and collaborate with an artist internationally. We have the resources that makes it easier to reach out. International artists also want to work with Indian artists.

Did your parents have a problem with you pursuing a musical career?

Actually, my father supported me wholly. People say that they were given an opportunity and that is how they got a break in the industry. For me, what I got from my parents is so much bigger than the opportunity. I was consistently inspired and motivated by my parents. They gave me all the resources that I needed to where I am today. They were extremely encouraging including my sister, who is an architect, and an important part of my audience.

Are you working on some other project?

Like I was simultaneously working on Veere… while doing Phillauri, I have been working on other projects while doing Veere… I am also working with international artistes.

Writer: Shalini Saksena

Courtesy: The Pioneer