Sachin-Jigar on regional singers in 'Stree 2': They bring a fresh breath of air (2024)

New Delhi,UPDATED: Aug 30, 2024 18:17 IST

In the ever-evolving landscape of Bollywood music, composer duo Sachin-Jigar have consistently pushed boundaries, not just with their innovative compositions, but also by introducing fresh voices to the industry.

Their latest project, the much-anticipated 'Stree 2' album, is no exception. In this candid conversation, Sachin Sanhgvi and Jigar Saraiya share their insights on collaborating with regional talents - Madhubanti Bagchi and Pawan Singh, the creative risks involved, and how the industry’s acceptance of new voices is reshaping the musical narrative in Bollywood.

Here are some excerpts from the interview:

You've been known for introducing new voices into your music since 'Shor in the City'. What inspired this approach?

Since 'Shor in the City', we've tried to incorporate a new voice into each song. This approach brings a fresh breath of air to the music. It's like when you're creating a love story where both the boy and girl die, as in Romeo and Juliet - you always look for new faces. You want that innocence, that pure quality in their voices, to offer a fresh perspective.

I'm not saying Arijit Singh is overused now. In fact, he's a blessing in our times, a legend. But, you already know what to expect from him. There’s no element of surprise in how he’s going to sound. Now, when you hear his songs, you’re almost expecting, "Arijit, sing another one." You love him, and you want more, yes, but there's a certain predictability.

How did you come to work with Madhubanti Bagchi for 'Aaj Ki Raat' in the 'Stree 2' album?

Introducing a new voice to a song can give it a unique twist. That’s exactly what Madhubanti Bagchi brought to 'Aaj Ki Raat'. She’s a powerhouse, a superstar in Kolkata, and she’s sung many songs. Sachin and I have been trying to work with her for a while. She already sang 'Barbaadiyan' in 'Shiddat', and she’s incredibly talented. We’ve repeatedly tried to fit her into our songs, and when it finally clicked, it was a combination of her voice, her performance, our luck, and everything else. We’re just happy it worked out.

Pawan Singh was another surprising addition to the album. How did that collaboration come about?

Pawan Singh was a last-minute call. The song is very desi, and Divya Kumar had originally sung it. Divya is like a brother to us, part of the A-team, and he’s as rooted as anyone in Bombay. But we realised that we needed a different type of voice, a specific talent, for the song to resonate well in that region. Someone in the team suggested Pawan Singh just one day before the song’s release.

Sometimes, you have to applaud the freedom and courage Dino sir (Dinesh Vijan) gives us. The way the label reacts to Dino's ideas is telling - they trust him because of his consistent success. He’s a daring guy who allows these things to happen. As music composers, our power is often limited to making suggestions to the producer. What happens next is beyond our control. Even the actor might have a say in who sings the song, rejecting a voice they don’t like. So, having a producer who supports your creativity is like a dream. It’s literally a place where you can embrace your madness.

So, what do you see as the advantage of bringing in new voices?

When you try a new singer, there's an initial intrigue about how the artist will perform. Of course, it’s not just about talent; that talent needs to be proven in the studio. Stepping into the dubbing booth is no less challenging than entering a boxing ring - you have to deliver a performance. So, while the new talent may initially intrigue listeners, it soon offers more. You feel like you've automatically given your song a 50% chance of grabbing the listener’s attention. This is something we’ve always believed.

How do you feel the industry has changed in terms of supporting new artistes?

Earlier, we didn’t get enough support from labels and producers, which is understandable - they want their songs to make a strong impact. They prefer popular singers to ensure the song reaches a wide audience. But, times have changed. It's such an interesting period in the industry. If you look at Spotify’s top 50 or top 10, there are more indie artistes than Bollywood ones.

This shift shows how much power now lies in the hands of artistes, and that people are open to listening to new voices. They don’t care about established names as much any more. Of course, legends will always have their place, and there will always be fandoms for these legends. But, there's something special about the newness that keeps the music fresh and exciting.

The 'Stree' franchise, known for its unique blend of horror and comedy, has struck a chord with audiences, making it one of the most beloved series in recent years.

After its 14th day's business, the horror-comedy surpassed the overall India collection of 'Baahubali: The Beginning' (Rs 421 crore), and stood at a staggering Rs 424 crore nett.

Since its release on August 15, 'Stree 2' has captivated audiences. The film stars Rajkummar Rao, Abhishek Banerjee, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, and Aparshakti Khurana in lead roles, with cameo appearances by Tamannaah, Akshay Kumar, and Varun Dhawan.