If Prasoon Joshi is the wordsmith, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is a man of few words. Last time they came together in 2006 and painted the nation yellow with Rang De Basanti. Once again adman, poet and lyricists Prasoon Joshi has joined hands with director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra for their latest offering Dilli 6.
HT City catches up with the duo. It’s windy at the Bandra Reclamation, but both Mehra and Joshi find a clean rock to sit, while humming away Masakali from the film. “The music of Dilli 6 has a life of it’s own,” says Prasoon and explains, “This word Masakali is actually a coinage from one of Rehman sahab’s old renditions. I was just humming it, Masakalai…Masakali; both Rehamanji and Rakeyshji jumped up after listening to it. And it became a song.”
Talking about the film, Mehra says, “Dilli 6 is not about Delhi. This story could be set anywhere. It could have been Amritsar, Lucknow or Jaipur. The story is about the soul every city has, and the connect the people of that city share with its soul.” Dilli 6 has been touted as a semi-autobiographical film. Prasoon has spent many years in Delhi. His first book was published from Nai Sarak. “There had been hours and hours of talking and sleepless nights while composing the music of this film,” says Rakyesh and adds, “I had 4000 to 5000 photographs on my laptop all the time. We shuffled through them and went nostalgic many a time.”
The album, which released early this week, has seven tracks. Talking about the songs, Prasoon says, “there’s song from each genre. From classical, to pop, to romantic to sufi and folk.” Joshi says that his idea of a perfect album is one, which connects with the listener at all the levels. And he is indebted to advertising. “Advertising has taught me to absorb all commercial information. Once I have assessed my listeners, I set my mind on the creative trail. Then it is attuned to thought and composed in the same manner.”
{{/usCountry}}The album, which released early this week, has seven tracks. Talking about the songs, Prasoon says, “there’s song from each genre. From classical, to pop, to romantic to sufi and folk.” Joshi says that his idea of a perfect album is one, which connects with the listener at all the levels. And he is indebted to advertising. “Advertising has taught me to absorb all commercial information. Once I have assessed my listeners, I set my mind on the creative trail. Then it is attuned to thought and composed in the same manner.”
{{/usCountry}}On an emotional note he says, “I have an eye for life. And it’s important to connect with people I am writing for.” Mehra agrees too.
Ask him what is his favourite number from the film and he says, “It’s difficult to name any one song. But at this point of time, I am in Kaala Bander mood.”