Jigar Saraiya on making Indian music global: 'Our sound can blend with any music'
Synopsis
Jigar Saraiya of Sachin–Jigar isn't lamenting the global sound takeover — he's issuing a challenge. Speaking during promotions of 'Chand Mera Dil', he argued that Indian music can blend with any genre and that the real task is for Indian artistes and listeners to own their sound with the same confidence they give to foreign acts.
Key Takeaways
Jigar Saraiya of Sachin–Jigar says it is the responsibility of Indian artistes and listeners to globalise India's musical sound.
He cited a recent track by a 'very famous artiste' that sampled Asha Bhosle as evidence of Indian music's global appeal.
Jigar argued that international producers already view Indian music as global — the missing element is self-belief among Indian creators.
Sachin described Jigar as a 'rebel' who is highly self-critical and driven by a 'childlike hunger' for music-making.
The album 'Chand Mera Dil' has been released under Sony Music India .
Music composer Jigar Saraiya of the celebrated duo Sachin–Jigar has called on Indian artistes and listeners alike to take ownership of globalising India's musical identity, arguing that the country's rich sonic heritage is more than capable of holding its own on the world stage. His remarks came during promotions of their latest film album 'Chand Mera Dil' in Mumbai.
Jigar on the Global Sound Debate
When asked whether the influx of global sounds is eroding India's mainstream musical culture, Jigar pushed back with a challenge rather than a complaint. 'I think it's only our responsibility that if something is going on globally, then how can we globalise our sound? How can we globalise our music? We have to do that. And this is a big fight. But our music is such that it can blend with any other music,' he said.
He pointed to a recent example to underscore his argument: 'Just four days ago, a very famous artiste made a track with a clip of Asha Bhosle ji. There are so many such songs.' For Jigar, this is proof that Indian music already carries global currency — the missing piece is the confidence to claim it. 'When we go out or meet any other artiste, like for productions, they look at our music as global music. For them, the identity and uniqueness of our music is that we have to believe that. And we have to own our music as much as we own a foreign artiste,' he added.
Sachin on His Creative Partner
Jigar's partner Sachin offered a candid portrait of their dynamic, revealing that he sometimes worries about Jigar's all-consuming dedication to the craft. 'We are two people. So, we are two sides of the coin. I think my job is to rationalise the chaos he has. He is a rebel. He doesn't sleep. Sometimes he wakes up with the fear that if I don't make a song today, then? There is a childlike hunger when he sees a new instrument,' Sachin said.
Sachin described his own creative process as strikingly different — one that resists the confines of a studio setup. 'I feed off all these things. But, again, if I want to compose a song, I cannot do that in front of equipment. I don't want to get tied up inside the studio,' he explained, adding that he prefers open, unstructured environments to find his creative footing.
About 'Chand Mera Dil'
The album for 'Chand Mera Dil' has been released under Sony Music India. The project marks another chapter in Sachin–Jigar's journey as one of Bollywood's most consistent composer duos, known for blending contemporary production with distinctly Indian melodic sensibilities.
The Bigger Picture
The conversation around Indian music's global reach has intensified in recent years, with artists like A.R. Rahman and collaborations between Bollywood composers and international acts drawing attention to the genre's crossover potential. Jigar's remarks reflect a growing sentiment within the industry: rather than adapting to global trends, Indian musicians should be confident enough to export their own. This comes amid a broader wave of Indian cultural exports — from cinema to classical music — gaining traction on international streaming platforms.
Point of View
He asks how it can lead. That is a more productive question, but it sidesteps the structural reality: global distribution, playlist algorithms, and label priorities still heavily favour Western and K-pop acts. Confidence alone will not move the needle without investment in international marketing and cross-border collaboration infrastructure. The Asha Bhosle sampling example is telling — Indian music is being globalised by foreign artistes, not always by Indian ones. The industry needs to ask why that pipeline flows outward rather than being driven from within.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Jigar Saraiya say about Indian music going global?
Jigar Saraiya said it is the responsibility of Indian artistes and listeners to globalise India's sound, arguing that Indian music can blend with any genre worldwide. He made the remarks during promotions of the 'Chand Mera Dil' album in Mumbai.
Who are Sachin–Jigar?
Sachin–Jigar are a Bollywood composer duo known for their contemporary sound blended with Indian melodic traditions. They have scored music for numerous Hindi film projects and are among the prominent names in the current generation of Bollywood composers.
What is 'Chand Mera Dil'?
'Chand Mera Dil' is a film whose album has been composed by Sachin–Jigar and released under Sony Music India. The duo was speaking about the project during promotional events in Mumbai.
How did Sachin describe his partnership with Jigar?
Sachin described the duo as 'two sides of the coin', saying his role is to rationalise the creative chaos that Jigar brings. He called Jigar a 'rebel' with a childlike hunger for music who sometimes wakes up anxious about not composing enough.
Why does Jigar believe Indian music has global potential?
Jigar pointed to international artistes sampling Indian legends like Asha Bhosle as proof that the world already values India's musical identity. He said that when Indian composers meet international producers, those producers already treat Indian music as global — the gap is in how Indians perceive and promote their own sound.
