After making a mark in Bollywood with Jism 2, it has been a journey of one chartbuster after another for singer, composer and Kolkata’r chhele, Arko Pravo Mukherjee. The doctor-turned-musician’s Teri Mitti has a permanent place in the playlist of music lovers and he is all set to release his first music album in September. In a long chat with My Kolkata, Arko Pravo talks about his Bangaliana, life in Bollywood and Tollywood, the calling of the international circuit and what’s next on the cards. Edited excerpts from the conversation…
My Kolkata: Let’s begin with a throwback question — how was your early life in Kolkata?
Arko Pravo Mukherjee: We were living in Kestopur from before it became busy and hectic —when it was all quiet and had fewer people and houses. I had a blast during my childhood, and it was all about football, ghuri orano and paray khela for me.
How did music come into your life?
My parents used to sing Rabindrasangeet. That’s how the journey began for my sister and me. I don’t have any formal training in music, I did not learn classical music. I developed an affinity for rock music initially. I was writing songs in English throughout my high school and college days. I started learning Hindi during the end of my college life, so that I could also write songs in Hindi.
Did you perform in school and college?
Yes, during my school days in Don Bosco (Kolkata). And we used to win the fests. Later in college, I was quite popular in the medical circle because we did not have too many bands. I have sung with many bands in college. It was in college that I realised that my connection with music was getting stronger.
Why did you shift base to Mumbai?
I came to Mumbai in 2007 for a college internship, and to evaluate the scope of my music. My friend Priyanshu Chatterjee, who made his debut with the film Tum Bin, welcomed me and introduced me to noted names of the industry. They liked my music and that encouraged me. I returned to Mumbai a year later to pursue my dreams.
A doctor by degree and a musician by profession – did your family embrace your choice and how were the initial days?
It is always difficult for the first generation of outsiders. I was the first person from my family to enter showbiz. So, once this choice was accepted, it got easier. Till the day I got my debut in Jism 2 and Bhatt sa’ab (Mahesh Bhatt) gave me the opportunity, my parents, naturally and rightly, were shrouded in doubt. We were all battling raised eyebrows, questions, society, so many things. Once I got my first break and things started to look up, their worries receded. It takes a lot of hard work, courage and ambition to chase your dreams.
‘Mahesh Bhatt, being Mahesh Bhatt, gave me a lot of freedom’
The music of Jism 2 was a huge hit. The songs are still popular. How did you land the film?
That happened by chance! My guitarist and I would go all over the city to meet the directors and producers – be it at parties or meetings. It once happened that there was a jamming session in my friend Prashant Narayanan’s house. Nawaz bhai (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) used to come there too. Prashant was doing Murder 2 and was playing the villain. He recommended my work to Bhatt sa’ab and I got the opportunity of meeting him.
How was the experience working with Mahesh Bhatt?
It was great, he treated me like family! The first time I met him, he gave me 10 minutes to play two songs. But I ended up playing those two songs, Abhi Abhi and Ishq Bhi Kiya Re Maula, in his office for one and a half hours! Then Pooja (Bhatt), Dino (Morea), Mukeshji (Bhatt) came into the picture. They loved the songs too. Mahesh Bhatt, being Mahesh Bhatt, gave me a lot of freedom. It is rare for a debutant gets such freedom. He is an avant-garde, he is courageous. Once he believes in you, he gives you all the freedom. And the memories of a debut stay a lifetime... the first time happens only once.
‘I am lucky to have my expectations met’
What is your creative process while writing, singing or composing?
I tend to do it naturally. It is very uncommon that I have created a song after getting briefed. Usually, I keep making songs. When contacted for a film, I see which song best fits the scene and the areas that need to be changed.
You have worked with several big names of the Hindi film industry now. Are there any special memories you hold close to your heart?
Memories of my debut, of course. Memory of my first award for Allah Wariyan. Tere Sang Yaara bagged several awards too! And then, finally Teri Mitti… I think none of us thought the song would receive such accolades and 1.3 billion views! It was unexpected. There are times in a project when expectations do not get fulfilled, and sometimes they do. I am lucky to have had some expectations be met.
Teri Mitti has a permanent place in many playlists since its release…
Yes, I was in the US recently judging a music competition along with Jatin sir of Jatin-Lalit. There, I noticed that around eight of my songs were played. It’s not only in India, but in other parts of the world too with an Indian population. That is very encouraging, because I make songs with a lot of love.
How was it working with Fawad Khan for Sathi Re from Kapoor and Sons?
He is very beautiful (laughs)! Director Shakun Batra is a friend of mine. I think he did a great job and that film is a personal favourite. Many other films have performed better in the box office, but this film is my favourite. It’s my kind of cinema. And the song was crucial to the film too. Sathi Re unraveled a twist, the turning point with the death of a character in the film, and hence the song was not released before the release of the film – to keep the twist under wraps. Some songs are promotional, like Tere Sang Yaara and Jogi, and some are released later, after the film is released.
It was great working with Fawad Khan! He is a fantastic actor besides being handsome! The current scenario bars Pakistani artists from working in India, but I hope things get better soon.
Atif (Aslam) is a friend, Shafaqat (Amanat Ali) Sahab is very close to me, and I look forward to working with them soon.
‘I need more command over Bengali’
How and when did start working in the Bengali film industry?
In 2019, I was here in Kolkata and I reconnected with my old friend, the superstar Jeet. Back when I was in Kolkata Medical College, Jeet, Priyanshu (Chatterjee) and I were friends, and we used to often jam at Tolly Club in the evenings. We reconnected again in 2018, and in 2019, Jeet offered me Shesh Theke Shuru. I had not done projects in Bengali before and I was eager. Through him, I met Raj (Chakraborty) and worked on Parineeta. Next was Shantilal with my friend Pratim D. Gupta. Apart from these three films, I have done two singles for SVF, one with Akriti (Kakkar) and the other with Shaan.
You write songs in Bengali, English and Hindi. Which language do you find most comfortable?
English. But I have hardly released anything in English. But my first album with nine English songs will release by September 2022. I shot one of the songs in Puerto Rico and will be shooting one in Europe and another in India. This is a big year for me! I also try to write in Bengali, but I am always a little hesitant. My mother is a professor and has great command over the language. She writes in Rabindrik Bangla and calls mine a colloquial grip at best. I wrote the songs for Parineeta, but I feel I need more command over the language.
And finally, how is a day in your life when you are not working?
I am with my kids, wife, my family. In the evening, I will be with friends at a jam session amidst music, adda and khawa dawa (laughs).