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`Paan Banaras Wala is integral to Don'

If you thought `KANK' rocked, listen to `Don', says Shankar Mahadevan

PHOTO: S. SUBRAMANIUM

TRENDSETTER Shankar belts out new hits

Big banners, popular directors and bigger hits - Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy have been part of many hit films. And their success continues. "We'd be fools to turn down Aditya Chopra, Farhan Akhtar or a Karan Johar. The joy of hearing Mitwa, Where's the Party Tonight? or Rock `n' Roll wherever we go is far greater than earning big bucks," says Shankar Mahadevan.

Having said that, Shankar asserts it is imperative to understand the psyche of every director he works with. "For instance, we'd never compose songs like Aaj Ki Raat or Morya Re (both from Don) for Karan's film. His sensibilities are different." To say that composing for Don was challenging was putting it mildly, admits Shankar. "We knew there would be comparisons and criticisms."

While the trio retained Khaike Paan Banaras Waala and Yeh Mera Dil, they composed new songs as well. "Khaike, which attained cult status, is integral to Don. Initially, we recorded with tablas, similar to the original. But none of us was happy repeating what was done before. So we changed the introduction and as asked Shah Rukh to sing a limerick. Likewise, we didn't want to repeat Asha Bhonsle for Yeh Mera Dil because she's been there done that. Sunidhi has given the song a younger feel." Shankar is upbeat about the response to the Ganapati song, Morya Re. "The song has caught on so well. We recorded with dols from Nasik to get the authenticity."

Their having worked with Farhan Akhtar in Lakshya and Dil Chahta Hai helped. "Farhan is a musician himself and understands music," says Shankar.

Elaborating on some of the trio's best club numbers, Shankar says, "We make an effort to know what youngsters are listening to globally. Woh Ladki Hain Kahan, It's the Time to Disco and Where's the Party Tonight? were in sync with international trends of their times. Clubs all around the world were rediscovering the charm of the 70's club music when It's the Time to Disco happened. Where's the Party? represents the futuristic generation of today. There's nothing retro about it."

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have their roster packed with films of Shaad Ali, Nikhil Advani, Aamir Khan, Zoya Akhtar and a Yash Raj movie among others. Shankar says, "Every year we've given definite hits, whether they've been groovy numbers or a Kajra Re. We've been lucky. When the film, the music and the visuals are good, it just works."

SANGEETHA DEVI. K

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