His recent release Sakth Jaan for the film 83 is a blockbuster hit. He’s one of Bollywood’s most talented and loved singers – popular with music directors and the audience. Meet the super talented Amit Mishra who talks to Sumita Chakraborty about Sakht Jaan, his musical journey and more.
Amit, you are a singer par excellence and you have sung so many fab songs, the latest being Sakht Jaan from 83, how did that happen?
I got a call from Pritam (Chakraborty) Da’s team for the voice test. I recorded the mukhda first and then after a week, I recorded the antara …and I recorded the full song in 3-4 sessions. Dada gave me a brief about the song that it’s a powerful rock song. I had to maintain the energy throughout the whole song and the pronunciation of each word needed to be correct. It’s an inspirational anthem. With his guidance, I did just that. I would like to thank the whole team. I would also like to congratulate Pritam Da and his team for this project. People have been appreciating the song and liking it as well.
You have worked with some of the biggest musical maestros in the industry, is there anybody else you really want to work with and why?
I’ve got the chance to work with the maestros of the industry. I’m lucky and blessed enough to work along with the greatest of all time musicians including Mr. Pritam Da and Sajid-Wajid Sir, Mr Rochak Kohli, Mr Tanishk Baagchi, DJ Chetas and so many more. I would really like to work with the greatest Mr Vishal & Shekhar, and Salim-Sulaiman Sahab. I hope my dream comes true and I’ll get the best songs to record for everyone including Himesh Reshammiya sahab. There’s an endless list of maestros in the music industry and I hope I get a chance to record for all of them very soon.
How did you come to Mumbai and kick-start your career here?
I came to Mumbai for the first time in 2011 for Idea Rocks India on Colors Channel, it was a band competition and I was amongst the top four along with my band-mates. Later after getting back to Lucknow, I asked my parents to allow me to go to Mumbai and learn music and do studio sessions and get into Bollywood. They allowed me to get back to Mumbai in 2011 and soon I got the chance to record and interact in the studios and there I met brilliant musicians and technicians and of course the Bollywood fraternity. I was a learner that time and I’m still learning – trying to upgrade myself every day. I’m looking forward to the future for many more good experiences and to level up with every song I sing. The kick-start was Pritam Da’s ‘Mann Ma Emotion’, before that song I got a chance to work with brilliant people from this Bollywood including Mr Chirantan Bhatt, Suneel Darshan, Mr Prashant, Mr Rashid Khan, Palak Muchhal and I’m blessed enough to sing for Pritam Da who gave a kickstart to my career with Mann Ma Emotion, Sau Tarah Ke, Galti Se Mistake, Bulleya, Allah Duhai Hai, Sajan Radio and now Sakht Jaan. I’m really happy and looking forward to working even more in a better, smarter and harder way
You have sung in so many languages, a little bit about this?
It’s a really good when you record a different language. I come from a background where I mostly communicate in Hindi and English. I got the opportunity to record in so many songs in different languages and learn different languages like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali as well. It’s been a great experience to work along with the language supervisors and composers – and I really appreciate that they considered me good enough to record for their projects and I’m really happy that they tried my voice for their songs. I wish to level up even more in future.
…Any memorable anecdote in your musical journey that you would like to share with us?
There have been a lot of fun moments during studio sessions and live concerts as well. I wasn’t aware that I’m supposed to sing Bulleya. It was a super fun moment for me when I went to the cinema hall to watch Rockstar and I was looking at the screen and my friends were looking at me, and then I confirmed that it’s my voice! So they were very happy. There are a lot of different experiences working with Nakash Aziz, Sid Sriram, Shalmali Kholgade, Antara Mitra, Jonita Gandhi and Nikita Gandhi. It’s been great working with all of them.
What about the digital platform – are you also straddling the OTT along with films?
In the beginning itself, my first project for the OTT platform was Rajma Chawal for Rishi Kapoor Sahab and it was an honour for me to record four tracks for the same project for Mr Hitesh Sonik – and Mr Irshad Kamil penned it. It was an honor for me. I’ve already given my playback for the OTT platforms. I’m looking forward for my upcoming OTT project as well for Amazon – I got a chance to work with Mr Sachin-Jigar Sir – the song’s name is Naya Safar. I’m pretty open to record for OTT platforms as well. One of my recent OTT releases was Velle starring Mr Abhay Deol. It was an honor to sing for him as well – that was JAM8 project. It was Subhadip Mishra songs. I really appreciate that they trusted in my voice and allowed me to record some amazing new age music tracks. I’m lucky to work with more such platforms.
Do you think you have got your due in the industry?
This is a very interesting question I would say! I’m still working hard on that and I’m trying to keep that consistency in my work and studio sessions. Working hard and smart enough to get my exact due, I’m constantly trying to give my best so that people give me songs and allow me to give my best to the best songs. And I absolutely give more than 100% to every song.
The pandemic caused havoc in everybody’s life, how did you cope with the lockdown and everything else?
It was a tough situation for everyone. I handled it well because of the moral support of my parents. I learned and realized so many things during lockdown. To be kind and humble is the key and trust the utmost happiness. I have done all this involving myself into music, production. I just wish that the lord is kind to everyone and people get healthy and fit in this journey. I’m trying to cope up with the situation. May Mata Rani bless everyone with good health.
What are your upcoming projects?
There’s one upcoming song ‘Naya Safar’ for Amazon Prime where I got a chance to record for Mr Sachin Jigar. Another upcoming project called Jamroom by Jam8 is in the pipeline. I’m looking forward to this project as I’m collaborating with Jonita Gandhi and Rapper Akshay Dhawan. There are some more projects from Voila Digi. There’ll be singles and non-filmy songs and some Bollywood projects as well and also projects where I get a chance to perform live soon.
