Lalit Pandits, Munni Badnaam Hui., a big hit!

Lalit Pandit, the melody maker of all time famous songs like "tujhe dekha toh yeh..." from DDLJ, "pehla nasha.." from Joh Jeeta Woh Sikander, "chaand sifarish.." from Fanaa, has given a rather shock to the public with his naughty lyrics in the Malaika Arora Khan-Salman starer, chart topping item number, "munni badnaam hui..." from one of the most awaited movie of the year 'Dabang'. Lalit Pandit is well known for his soft and lovely romantic numbers and many of them have went on to become evergreen love anthems. However, who knew that he would come up with something that would become rage among dance lovers and most talked about song in a short time of its release. Yes, his next song falls in category of tikha songs such as "bidi jalai ley..." or "hoth rasiley...!" "Munni badnaam hui.." is playing everywhere and on all the music systems around.


How has your musical journey been so far?

So far my musical journey has been absolutely a dream journey. A lot of hard work went into doing and reaching where I currently am. The talent has just grown and matured over the years. So my journey in short has been record-breaking.


Your composition - 'Munni Badnam hui..' is getting more and more popular each day, did you expect this kind of response?

I did expect it to be a big hit. Luckily I had the right kind of song to my side at the right time. The kind of response I have got from the listeners as well as from people within the industry is absolutely overwhelming, and I am sincerely thankful to Arabaaz Khan, Salman and Sohail Khan.


With the kind of lyrics that this song has, how was your experience composing it?

I have done songs like "Bole chudiyan..." earlier, but this one is very different. I had to mold myself and my music style according to the current music trend, from melodious to what the current music trend is, for "Munni Badnaam Hui..."


This isn't the usual Lalit style so should we expect some more songs on this line?

Yes, absolutely, I am already meeting Sanjay Dutt as he too wants me to do a similar kind of song. I am a composer and creator, you have to tell me what you want and I can try to attempt it in the best possible way. However, I will keep giving soft and melodious songs, something that you will always get from me. I am going to add "Munni Badnaam Hui.." genre to my armor. But yes I love the melodious songs that we have made earlier, since they are cult songs, which will remain there forever.

 
What do you have to say about the change in musical trend these days?

I like the current change in musical trend.  I am a very appreciative kind of a person, so I appreciate the kind of music that is being played these days. I like Pritams "pee loon..", I also like Shekhar's music as well as Vishal and Shekhar's music. However, I believe that the strength of a composer can be judged if is able to survive in the long innings. I have tried to mold my style of music each time, in every generation, according to their trends.


Who are your current favorite music composers?

I do not have a consistent favorite composer; it is different at different times, for different songs.


Do you think that the old melodies will be back in trend ever?

I think melody is always going to be around may be in newer forms but it will always be there.


Which one current musical trend you will never want to follow?

I hate rap music, and I have never been able to understand the usage of rap music in between a nice Hindi song, I will never want to do a song that involves rap.


Do u think flood of new singers may only increase the competition and eventually make many get lost in crowd, as not every one is busy recording all year like it use to be earlier, incase of Rafisaab, Asha Bhosle or Kumar Sanu, Sonu Nigam, Kavita Krishnamurthy, or recently Shreya Goshal and Sunidhi Chauhan and Mohit Chauhan... today each singers get few songs in various film..
I totally agree with this that the new singers have increased which has also increased the amount of competition today and this has made the job of the singers very tough, as it is difficult to get recognition for new singers these days.


Also what do you have to say about song albums that have become very similar and monotonous with every movie having an item song, love song, sad song and Sufi song?

I think it is the director's criteria to come with music that the film requires. It shouldn't be like following a particular formula, because then it does become monotonous and if this happens all the time, then I believe that it is the director's fault.


What are your future projects, and what kind of music style can we expect?

My future projects will involve melodious music; from now on it will be more youthful and modern music. Although, "Munni Badnaam Hui.." has kicked off my new innings in the current scenario.

Reporter & Author : Nidhi Soparawala