Ankit Tiwari is back. His latest track, Phir Na Mile Kabhi from Malang, has crossed 17 lakh views since its release in January and is still perched high on the list of chartbusters in January-February.

His next — Tumse Hi from Sadak 2 — is also ready and will be released soon.

A playback singer, music director and composer, Ankit started his career with jingles and then began composing background music for TV. He was offered to compose for Do Dooni Chaar (2010) and Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster (2011), with which he started his singing career.

Ankit then presented the song Sunn Raha Hai to Mahesh Bhatt and Mohit Suri, the director of Aashiqui 2. The rest is history.

In 2014, he collaborated with Suri again for Ek Villain, where he composed and sung Teri Galliyan. From Bheegh Loon in Khamoshiyan to Tu Hai Ki Nahi, Yaara Re and Boond Boond in Roy, Ankit never stopped delivering hits.

Here’s an unplugged chat Ankit had with The Telegraph while on the job for Sadak 2.

Phir Na Mile Kabhi and Tumse Hi, how did the songs come to you?

For me, Phir Na Mile Kabhi and Tumse Hi take me back to my roots in regards to my association. (Mahesh) Bhatt saab and Mohit (Suri), for me, are family and that’s my comfort space. Sunn Raha Hai Na was something that I got from Aashiqui 2 and then Teri Galliyan from Ek Villain and now Phir Na Mile Kabhi. Songs with Mohit happen naturally and as a director he extracts the best out of me.

Did you take a break from music for a while?

I can never take a break from music, that’s the only dream I had and I am living it. So I wouldn’t call it a break but I have been working on my bank and you will get to hear a lot more of Ankit Tiwari this year starting with Phir Na Mile Kabhi.

Your fame is baffling. You peaked, disappeared and now you are back with a bang. Tell us about your journey so far.

I don’t know about fame but I feel blessed to have given songs that have been etched in people’s memories and hearts. I am ecstatic that Phir Na Mile Kabhi is just another feather in the cap.

What are your next projects?

There are some interesting films and singles in the pipeline. Currently the next is Sadak 2.