Interview : Pritam Chakraborty

“Pritam Chakraborty: I have learnt to move on and ignore the jibes that people enjoy in hurting others”

Pritam Chakraborty, the ace music composer of the industry, has been ruling the roost for more than a decade now with his copious chartbusting compositions in hit films like JAB WE MET, LOVE AAJ KAL, RACE, DHOOM series, AGENT VINOD, COCKTAIL, BARFI! and many more. He has even won numerous awards & accolades for his work. But what makes him stand apart is that he is one composer to have contributed to the maximum number of money minting ventures (read the ‘100 crore’ films) without working as a duo, which is quite the norm in Bollywood, especially with music directors.

While Pritam has ever been accused and criticized for the plagiarism issue, he confesses that whatever happened has happened for a reason and that he didn’t do any wrong on purpose. Recently we caught up with the very talented Pritam in a casual candid chat. Here are the excerpts:

	view PRITAM CHAKRABORTHY AT 59TH IDEA FILMFARE PRE-AWARDS NOMINATION photo gallery

Where Bollywood is inundated with music composer duos; you have solely achieved the feat much like A. R. Rahman and emerged as the most revered music director around?
Never thought much about it. Want to do just good work. Having said that, I always wished for being a duo but it doesn’t always work out (smile). As solo it’s great during good times but when there is a failure and tough time the duo moral support helps a lot.

‘Music is definitely a big window for marketing films’

A decade in the industry and more than 100 films to your credit, how do you see your journey in Bollywood?
It’s been long journey but yes it’s been wonderful and I hope I have a long inning with lots of good songs. People can remember and enjoy always.

You came, saw and conquered. Did you expect it to achieve so much?
I have always taken one day at a time and done my best, worked hard. I have just held on to my invisible guide and only concentrated on doing my job to the best of my capacity.

Do you agree it is music which majorly contributes for a film to be a huge hit?
Music is definitely a big window for marketing films in India and successful music surely adds to a movie’s business.

‘I did make mistakes in the beginning’

While Bollywood is going gaga over 100 cr club, you have been part of so many 100 cr ventures. In fact in a single year (2013) you have managed so many hits, touching almost 500 crores. What do you have to say about it?
Yes, it’s been a good scorecard this year and its helping me feel less guilty about the break I am planning to take soon.

With newer & younger talent emerging up, how do you see competition?
The newer guys are really good and the platter gives a more varied option to audience. And the people who love my music will always love my music.

	view PRITAM CHAKRABORTHY AT 20TH ANNUAL SCREEN AWARDS photo gallery

Music industry has grown by leaps and bounds, what would you like to say on this?
We are in an era where physical sales have given away to digital sales but it would be good if the digitization happens in an organized manner so that it can be monetized for the producer.

You have been often criticized for plagiarism. Do you feel the criticism was justified?
Yes, I did make mistakes in the beginning of my career and have been persecuted for it since so many years now, which made me go through hell. But there is karma. God knows I didn’t do wrong on purpose and he keeps a track of our lives and I feel his hand on my head. I have learnt to move on and ignore the jibes that people enjoy in hurting others.

‘God knows I didn?t do wrong on purpose’

To reach a global audience, do you think we can do away with songs?
Our brand of cinema is known for its songs and dance and why we should follow the other cinemas blindly. It’s sign of maturity to keep our identity. We just need to concentrate on making good cinema.

You have ever been known for your ruffled persona. Does that get reflected in your work also?
I follow my instincts and it doesn’t always follow logic (smile).