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TAKE TWO

`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 Chennai for a show as part of IIT's Saarang.

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. So, Srini, we too have 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.

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?

Shankar: We have retained "Kaike... " and "Yeh Mera Dil", and composed three new numbers.

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.

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