Music composer-singer Amit Trivedi, known for hit movie soundtracks such as Dev D., Udtaa Punjab, Manmarziyaan, Lootera and Kai Po Che, is set to return to NH7 Weekender after a gap of 10 years. Trivedi talked to us about performing at the event, striking a balance between film and independent music, and his label AT Azaad.
How are you feeling about returning to NH7 Weekender?
Amit Trivedi: It feels amazing. It feels nostalgic. I’ve always loved NH7Weekender. It’s one of the best festivals in the country. I started my live journey with NH7 Weekender in 2014. I’m returning after a decade now. The whole journey started there, so returning to NH7 Weekender is special. I love the energy, I love the vibe, and not only have I performed I have also attended a lot of NH7 festivals. So, it’s a pleasure and an honour to be back.
What’s your lineup going to be like for NH7 Weekender?
Amit Trivedi: There are a lot of popular songs, of course, that people enjoy but also something from my new album, which I’m gonna showcase, from Azaad Collab, which I have released from my independent label ‘AT Azaad’.
What do you like the most about performing in front of a huge live audience? Also, can you describe this feeling in one word?
Amit Trivedi: One word would be ‘magical’. It’s a magical and surreal experience to be on stage, performing, singing with an audience in chorus, singing along the entire show. I have had an experience where I was on the stage for two hours, and for those two hours nonstop, the audience was singing all the songs that I was performing. So, that’s a very magical and surreal feeling.
Your music label is called AT Azaad. What does freedom mean to you as a music artiste?
Amit Trivedi: Freedom to express yourself the way you want to, freedom to do the kind of experiments with the kind of music that you want to, without any sort of burden. Without any pressure of numbers, without any pressure of anybody or anything for that matter. Just go all out and do whatever you feel like.
What do you wish to achieve with AT Azaad in the coming years?
Amit Trivedi: I don’t wish to achieve anything. It’s just my medium to express myself. Whatever music comes to my mind, naturally, I am just putting it out there for the world. That’s about it. There is no other agenda.
You are an accomplished composer in film music and independent music. How do you strike a balance between the two? Which form gives you more freedom?
Amit Trivedi: Both are great. Both are the ultimate processes of creating good music. The process remains the same. The ultimate goal is to create good music, whether it’s film songs, independent or anything else. So, that fun, that pleasure is always there. I love and enjoy doing both. I’ve always enjoyed doing both. Film music is something I completely enjoy. I love the filmmakers that have come into my life.
Do you think film producers are playing it safe with remixes and formulaic music that could trend on reels?
Amit Trivedi: You know the demand and supply ratio. If the demand is there, definitely there will be supply. It goes hand in hand. Recently, a very popular remix got over a billion views and a lot of streams. The audience loves it and enjoys it. So, if the audience likes it and enjoys it, why will the makers and suppliers not want to make more? The day the audience stops it, the makers will stop. It’s very simple.
Have you ever got a brief like that? Make reel trendy music?
Amit Trivedi: Yeah, we keep getting that. But not so much. But yeah, that pressure is there to make something that goes viral on reels.
What are your upcoming releases in film and under your music label?
Amit Trivedi: Under my music label, we have recently released Azaad Collab. It’s an album of 14 songs featuring 22 artists. After Azaad Collab, there’s a film called Azaad (directed by Abhishek Kapoor, releasing in January 2025). There’s a lot of Azaad happening. And there’s one more film, called Abir Gulal. So, working on these two right now.
