Mohit began his stint in Bollywood with a few forgettable songs. It was with Rang De Basanti that his career got a boost with Khoon chala, which was widely appreciated. Post Rang... his popularity rose with songs like Tum se hi from Jab We Met and Masakalli from Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Delhi-6.
He says that he does not listen to a lot of music and does not have a regular riyaaz schedule, despite being one of the most sought after singers in the industry.
Mohit Chauhan is out with his new album, Fitoor and says that the album describes his mental journey more than anything else. “The song Babaji is about travel. It is about a philosophy and a way of life. Though it is a bout travelling, it is not the physical travelling but travelling in your head. It is about your mental growth.”
The singer-writer-composer who was missing from the non-film segment for quite some time will make his presence felt with a new album that is scheduled to release in a couple of months. So what is his take on the fact that the market for non-film albums is shrinking with people becoming more Bollywood-centric?
“I don’t think the listener or the audience has changed or become Bollywood-centric. If people loved Dooba dooba, they will still love a good song if offered to them. It’s the economics that is a major concern. I think the music labels need to encourage artists so that more albums come out.”
About the album
Fitoor in a way signifies my journey through the years. It’s a collection of ten songs that I have written. It’s basically about what I have been experiencing. The album is shot entirely in the Himalayas, especially at Dharamshala, where the Dalai Lama stays, in Maklurganj. I have studied in Dharamshala and have fond memories of that place. I wanted to capture those memories in my music and video and so I chose Dharamshala.
Experience
It was a great experience going back to Dharamshala and staying with the Dalai Lama and reliving olden days. The album shows a certain way of my life. We have shot the video while trekking and I also love trekking.
Making of the album
For Fitoor, I have given the music and have written most of the songs, other than one or two. It is an album that is made completely on my terms.
Silk Route
Silk Route does not play anymore, though we have not dismembered as a band, we do not play anymore. If something comes our way, we might come back together, but with music, you cannot plan things, it has to spontaneous.
Reality shows
Reality shows definitely gives a platform to showcase your talent. After doing one reality show, if you opt for reality shows one after the other, then that might hamper your career. But there are many directors and singers that track these shows and if you are really good, you might get spotted and get picked by someone.
Genre
I don’t like restricting myself to a particular genre. I had a very intense song with AR Rehman in Rang De Basanti called Khoon chala, and then I went on to do Tum Se Hi from Jab We Met and of course Masakalli, which is very peppy and happy-go-lucky. But when I do my album, I like using a lot of organic instruments like the flute, guitars or harmonicas. I like the natural sound that these instruments bring out.
radhika@expressbuzz.com