Does Pritam Believe His Job is to Justice to Script and Characters?
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Synopsis
In a revealing interview, music composer Pritam shares his insights about the creative process behind his compositions. He emphasizes that his focus is on the script and character depth rather than the visual impact on actors. Discover how this philosophy shapes his iconic music.
Key Takeaways
- Pritam's creative process focuses on character and story.
- Music is crafted for the narrative, not the actors.
- 'Channa Mereya' was originally intended for a different film.
- Iconic songs resonate due to their emotional depth.
- Collaboration with actors does not dictate music composition.
Mumbai, July 16 (NationPress) Music composer Pritam, known for his work on the OST of ‘Metro...In Dino’, has expressed that he does not create songs with the visual portrayal by Bollywood actors in mind.
In a recent conversation with IANS, he emphasized that as a music composer, his primary obligation is to honor the script and the character, rather than focusing on the actor portraying that role and how his music would appear with them.
Pritam stated to IANS, “What truly matters is the hero. It’s the protagonist, the story, and the character. For instance, ‘Haanikaarak Bapu’ was designed for Geeta and Babita from ‘Dangal’ during their youth, and Aamir Khan should not have been part of that vision. Let’s consider a simple comparison: Ranbir Kapoor in ‘Barfi!’ versus Ranbir Kapoor in ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’. I was engaged with him on both projects simultaneously.”
“Similarly, ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ and ‘Jagga Jasoos’ were overlapping as well. However, my focus was not on Ranbir Kapoor as an actor, but rather on the characters themselves. He embodies a different essence in each role. When an artist commits to a project, it is the narrative that ignites the process. It’s not about the actor. Music is crafted for the character, not for stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, or Ranveer Singh,” he elaborated.
Pritam previously revealed that the iconic song ‘Channa Mereya’ was originally composed for Salman Khan’s ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, rather than ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’.
‘Channa Mereya’ has become a contemporary heartbreak anthem with a dedicated audience, accumulating over 275 million streams on Spotify and averaging 200,000 daily streams. This might have been different had Kabir Khan chosen to feature the melody from ‘Channa Mereya’ from Munni’s perspective for ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’.
Pritam recounted, “I created ‘Channa Mereya’ for the same emotional context in ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’. It was rejected for that film and ultimately found its way into ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’.”
“The melody remained consistent, but the lyrics were altered,” he concluded.
Point of View
I believe that Pritam's approach highlights a profound understanding of storytelling in music composition. His dedication to character and narrative over star power speaks to the essence of impactful filmmaking. In an age where music is often overshadowed by celebrity, Pritam’s commitment to authenticity is a refreshing reminder of the art's true purpose.
NationPress
17/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Pritam prioritize when composing music?
Pritam prioritizes the script and character depth over the visual portrayal by actors when composing music.
Was 'Channa Mereya' initially made for 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'?
'Channa Mereya' was originally composed for 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' before being featured in 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'.
How many streams does 'Channa Mereya' have?
'Channa Mereya' boasts over 275 million streams on Spotify.
What is Pritam's view on working with actors?
Pritam believes music should be created for the character, not for the actor portraying them.
Did Pritam work on multiple films with Ranbir Kapoor simultaneously?
Yes, Pritam worked on both 'Barfi!' and 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' with Ranbir Kapoor around the same time.
