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`My wife calls me an iceberg'
PHOTO: SHAJU JOHN
Aishwarya Rai, Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan simply rocked in the song "Kajra Re" from "Bunty Aur Babli". And the credit for it all goes to its creators — music composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and lyricist Gulzar. For the composer trio, "Dus" may not have left much of an impact, but they arrived with a bang with "Dil Chahta Hai." And "Lakshya" and "Kal Ho Na Ho" consolidated their position. The front man of this `band of musicians' is Shankar Mahadevan. With several National awards under his belt, this affable and versatile crooner is the voice of Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan and Amitabh Bachchan, to name a few.
As for the soft-spoken Srinivas, he began his musical journey under the baton of Mahesh in "Nammavar." The singer, who has won many accolades, has worked with every top music director, including Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy ("Dil Chahta Hai", "Phir Milenge"). Today, he is a name to reckon with in the field of playback singing.
Shankar and Srinivas got together for a snappy Take Two at the IIT guesthouse. Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy were in the city for a show as part of IIT's Saarang. The meeting may not have lasted too long, but the rapport the two singers shared was instantly palpable.
Savitha Gautam watched as the old friends caught up with each other's lives.
Shankar (vigorously shaking hands with Srinivas): What maaan? Long time no see...
Srinivas: (a happy smile on his face) Yeah, I think we meet only during such occasions! But it feels good. So, all set to rock the college crowd?
Shankar: Actually, this is the second IIT event for us this year. We performed at IIT Kharagpur a couple of months ago.
Srinivas: Doesn't it remind you of your college days?
Shankar: Of course. I remember being worked up about organising such events. Walking up and down endlessly... so much effort went into it. But it was fun. Those were the days.
Srinivas: Yeah. In fact, I used to be part of the college band. And guess who used to be part of it? Chitra.
Shankar: Really? That's great. Srini, we've had some great moments together in recent times too. I think we became really good friends during Rahman's U.S. tour. We spent nearly a month-and-a-half together and boy! what fun we had!
Srinivas: Remember our trip to the Universal Studios and Niagara Falls? And before the Toronto show, you lost your voice!
Shankar: (clearing his throat) History repeats itself. My throat is acting up even now.
Srinivas: You had to sing that high-pitched song from "Pukar"?
Shankar: Don't remind me! (he sings snatches of "Naujawano" and Srinivas joins him) I remember the whole gang ... you, Hariharan, Ganga, Sadhna Sargam, Javed... actually praying fervently for me backstage. I actually miss it all nowadays.
Srinivas: Yeah (they both hum "Dhim dhim tanana" from "Alai Payuthey"). So, what have you been doing of late?
Shankar: Oh, this and that. We have some interesting films lined up... Karan Johar's "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna", Farhan Akhtar's "Don", "Salaam-e-Ishq"... What about you? How is your composing coming along?
Srinivas: I am now working on a film called "Seetha Kalyanam" starring Jyothika and Jayaram. The music has classical overtones, and it is challenging. I also compose jingles for Rajiv Menon. Besides, there's my playback singing.
Shankar: You know I am a big fan of yours. You sang such a wonderful song for us in "Dil Chahta Hai." I still think "Kaise hai yeh ruth" is one of our best compositions.
Srinivas: I also enjoyed working with you guys for "Phir Milenge".
Shankar: Tell me honestly, what do you think of me as a music director?
Srinivas: Amazing. Easy to work with. The only problem is you expect us to sing like you — learn the song in two minutes and sing it in five minutes.
Shankar: (laughing) What nonsense! You don't take too long to learn a song... We have had a blast working with you and hope to do so again. We are waiting for the right song.
Srinivas: But you guys (Ehsaan and Loy) are the men of the moment. "Kajra Re" is on everybody's lips, wherever you go! In fact, I sent you an SMS immediately. Did you think it would become such a rage?
Shankar: (smiles) Yeah. We knew it would do well, but we never thought it would become the song of the decade.
Srinivas: What about "Don". It's a remake, right?
Shankar: Yes. Shah Rukh Khan is playing Don.
Srinivas: Have you retained any song? (he breaks into "Kaike paan benaraswala")
Shankar: We have retained "Kaike... " and "Yeh Mera Dil", and composed three new numbers. A tribute to the old ones.
Srinivas: Has there ever been a conflict between Shankar, the singer, and Shankar, the composer?
Shankar: Many a time. But when I compose, the singer is left at home, pushed into the background.
Srinivas: Shankar, have you ever lost your temper? I have never seen you angry.
Shankar: Actually, my wife calls me an iceberg. I don't let anything affect me too much.
(It's time for the concert. Ehsaan and Loy join Shankar and they invite Srinivas to join them for a song during the show)
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