'I don't see anyone as my competitor'

Mithoon's latest composition 'Shivaay', starring Ajay Devgn, topped many music charts. A venture quite different from all his previous works, the artistes believes that 'Shivaay' was like reinventing himself, in terms of music. In a chat with Puja Gupta, Mithoon talks more about the experience and his future projects.

'Shivaay' has been more of an reinvention for me as a music composer. I have always enjoyed writing ballads. But 'Shivaay' was something that needed a different approach because the character was very impulsive and very high on adrenaline. Ajay's (Devgn) brief to me was very clear. He told me 'we need to go high on energy in every song' and that was my focus. I worked with new singers and created a new sound and I'm glad to see it worked so well. I recently performed at a concert and I performed a couple of songs from 'Shivaay' and when I saw the response I realised how much people like it. It have been a very fulfilling experience to do something new that I'm not known for and for people to receive it so well.

How has your journey been?

A blessed roller coaster ride. The journey began at my home. I wanted to ape my father in everything, including the way he entered a studio and conducted an orchestra. My father always used to tell me that if you want to see the good and the bad, you don't have to go far, look within the family. Even though I had the backing of a musical family,I had to go and find my own identity.

I grew up in an environment that was immersed in music. My father would have music sittings at home since he was an arranger, writing notes, discussions with musicians and hence inspired by my father, I started taking small steps towards my destination. After completing schooling, I took a decision that I wanted to be a composer. I was in college when I bagged my first assignment as a composer and one thing led to another and here I am.

How would you define your music?

I do not believe in setting any expectations both in life and my music. It's always good when one does not expect and good things happen. My music is an extension of my thought process. I do not necessarily conform to any norms or market expectations or clichés. I like it to be minimalistic yet intense. I like to explore in the genre of world music, the sounds of different cultures and countries, like merging a Kashmiri carpet song with an Iranian folk melody. In fact, I have done something like that in a forthcoming film directed by Onir.

What inspires you?

I must say that my inspiration is only Jesus Christ... I don't connect with the concept of religion but I think everyone has a role model and thats what Christ is to me. In terms of influence, it has been my father, Naresh Sharma. He introduced me to the work of some amazing composers like Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Madan Mohan whose work I discovered in great detail. Subsequently, it was composers like Viju Shah, M M Kreem and A R Rahman whose work I admire a lot.

Mithoon’s latest composition 'Shivaay’, starring Ajay Devgn, topped many music charts. A venture quite different from all his previous works, the artistes believes that 'Shivaay’ was like reinventing himself, in terms of music. In a chat with Puja Gupta, Mithoon talks more about the experience and his future projects.

'Shivaay’ has been more of an reinvention for me as a music composer. I have always enjoyed writing ballads. But 'Shivaay’ was something that needed a different approach because the character was very impulsive and very high on adrenaline. Ajay’s (Devgn) brief to me was very clear. He told me 'we need to go high on energy in every song’ and that was my focus. I worked with new singers and created a new sound and I’m glad to see it worked so well. I recently performed at a concert and I performed a couple of songs from 'Shivaay’ and when I saw the response I realised how much people like it. It have been a very fulfilling experience to do something new that I’m not known for and for people to receive it so well.

How has your journey been?

A blessed roller coaster ride. The journey began at my home. I wanted to ape my father in everything, including the way he entered a studio and conducted an orchestra. My father always used to tell me that if you want to see the good and the bad, you don’t have to go far, look within the family. Even though I had the backing of a musical family,I had to go and find my own identity.

I grew up in an environment that was immersed in music. My father would have music sittings at home since he was an arranger, writing notes, discussions with musicians and hence inspired by my father, I started taking small steps towards my destination. After completing schooling, I took a decision that I wanted to be a composer. I was in college when I bagged my first assignment as a composer and one thing led to another and here I am.

How would you define your music?

I do not believe in setting any expectations both in life and my music. It’s always good when one does not expect and good things happen. My music is an extension of my thought process. I do not necessarily conform to any norms or market expectations or cliches. I like it to be minimalistic yet intense. I like to explore in the genre of world music, the sounds of different cultures and countries, like merging a Kashmiri carpet song with an Iranian folk melody. In fact, I have done something like that in a forthcoming film directed by Onir.

What inspires you?

I must say that my inspiration is only Jesus Christ... I don’t connect with the concept of religion but I think everyone has a role model and that's what Christ is to me. In terms of influence, it has been my father, Naresh Sharma. He introduced me to the work of some amazing composers like Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Madan Mohan whose work I discovered in great detail. Subsequently, it was composers like Viju Shah, M M Kreem and A R Rahman whose work I admire a lot.