The melodious voice of Iman Chakraborty wafted through Debojyoti Mishra’s cosy Jodhpur Park studio. The composer stood with director Pratim D. Gupta in front of three large screens that grasped the waves of Iman’s beautiful notes. “O je maane na maana,” Mishra sings and we witness Iman delivering different variations of the same line, perfecting the emotion.
It was the recording of Bolo taare, the second song for the tracklist of Chaalchitro — The Frame Fatale, a thriller starring Tota Roy Choudhury, Raima Sen, Shantanu Maheshwari, Anirban Chakrabarti, Swastika Dutta among others. The sound recordist working on the track played the full song for the team and we knew we could be moved to tears on a bad day if it came up in our playlists. From pain to longing, Bolo taare hits the right spots and is powerful enough to trigger those tear glands.
When we had met Mishra a couple of months back for a tete-e-tete, we had asked him why he does not take up more mainstream work to which he had replied, “I need to feel that I am required for the composition and I require that bond with the filmmaker. It has to be a well-mounted film made with love, emotion and care.” One of his last mainstream works was Chawl rastaye which continues to rule playlists. This time when we sat down with Mishra, Pratim, Iman, and producer Firdausul Hasan, we learnt the story behind Mishra and Pratim coming together for the first time.
Firdausul Hassan, Pratim, Debojyoti Mishra
“I loved the movies that have been directed by Pratim. I am really happy that Hasan, who is more of a friend to me than a producer, and Pratim came together to get me on board. When I heard the storyline of the film, I was convinced that they needed me and the story had everything that I look for in a film whose music I want to create. We created this song like we did in the olden days. Ritam has done a fantastic job of writing the lyrics. I first created the music and he gave the words. We sat together for two days and Ritam would just come up with a certain word in a particular juncture of the song. Even today, on the recording floor, Ritam and I made changes to the lyrics and the music, respectively. Iman is one of my favourite artistes. In fact, for this song all three of us, Hasan, Pratim and I unanimously wanted Iman to sing this tune. When we came up with this song we did not think twice. Even the other song that has been recorded for this film, a more fast-paced one, has been sung by Rupam (Islam) and that was also a unanimous decision,” said Mishra.
Pratim, who was very involved in the recording, talked to us about the film and the overall musical flavour of it. He said, “It is a thriller but not like the ones we have been seeing around for a long time. There are four cops in the film played by Tota, Shantanu, Anirban and Indrajeet. The film revolves around how all their personal lives get entangled with their job. The case that these four individuals are working on ends up affecting and disrupting the lives of their wives, lovers and daughters. This song weaves the emotional turmoil of these four women. The melody stitches all these hearts together. Debuda has composed a lilting, soft, melancholic and beautiful song where there is still a ray of hope. He watched the scene where I wanted the song and he just came up with this. I absolutely love the song! Earlier, this film was not supposed to have any songs but through conversations with Hasanda, I realised that as feminine characters came in the script, the necessity of songs increased. We have three songs in Chaalchitro — The Frame Fatale.”
Lyricist Ritam Sen
“Since our childhoods, we remember multiple songs without knowing the names of the films. Songs, I believe serve as an identity for films. I told Pratim that you must have songs in Chaalchitro — The Frame Fatale for it to be impactful. Moreover, everyone working on the film is very close to me and they have a strong hand in me being the producer I am,” said Hasan.
Pratim believes that when two creative minds come together for the first time, they inspire, indulge, excite and challenge each other in new ways. “That’s what is happening with Debuda and me. We are from two generations but our love for cinema and melodies transcends the gap. I’d like to go on record to say that this is the big comeback for the man who gave us the unforgettable songs of Raincoat and Memories In March,” he added.
Iman was absolutely mesmerised by the song. “It has multiple dynamics... ups and lows. Firstly, Ritamda has worded the song extraordinarily. Second, this song is a Debojyoti Mishra signature... it is very much like the songs from the maestro’s genre. This is also the first time I am working with Pratim... and I have watched every film made by him. When I said yes to this song, I did not know that it was being produced by Hasanda. I have several experiences of working with both Debuda and Hasanda and it is a first with Pratim... this has been a fantastic experience! I really hope the audience loves the song as much as we love it.”
Lyricist Ritam Sen expressed his happiness and said, “I started working back in 2018 with Tomake bujhina priyo and more... for Chaalchitro — The Frame Fatale I met Debuda after a long while and it has been an amazing experience.”
The film is expected to hit the theatres by December 2024.
