Akshay Raheja and IP Singh make their Bollywood debut as the music composer duo in Crew (2024), starring Kriti Sanon, Kareena Kapoor, Tabu and Diljit Dosanjh. Akshay and IP reflect on Choli Ke Peeche, independent musicians and the role of music in creating social awareness in current times in an exclusive chat with Hindustan Times. Excerpts from the interview. (Also Read: Crew song Choli Ke Peeche: Kareena Kapoor grooves to the remix of Madhuri Dixit’s iconic number from Khal Nayak. Watch)
Akshay Raheja, IP Singh praise Rhea Kapoor
When asked about maintaining authenticity and uniqueness while creating peppy tracks and party songs, Akshay says, “As composers, our primary aim is to take the story of the film forward through our music. Our focus has always been on taking the story forward rather than targeting a specific audience. We believe that songs need to be used as a complement to the film. Most of the songs in the film have been used to take the story forward rather than being traditional lip-sync songs. This was a positive aspect for us, especially when we were redefining famous songs like Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai and Sona Kitna Sona Hai. Though these songs have captivated the audience for years, it is also a challenge to do justice to them. We are grateful to the producer and director for giving us this opportunity.”
IP further added, “I felt the same way. We were really excited about the story of the film and the talented people we were working with. The film itself is so vibrant and extremely beautiful to look at. As a producer, Rhea (Kapoor) always encouraged us to create something new in music. Her support gave us the confidence to do something that hadn’t been done before. Rhea would get annoyed if someone asked her about references, which actually helped for the song Choli Ke Peeche. Since there was no reference, we also incorporated Punjabi rap in the song. At this stage of our lives, we coincidentally found a great team. As a result, our creativity blossomed naturally. When everything comes together, it pushes you towards creating a great product and great music.”
Akshay Raheja said that this is the best time for indie-music.
When asked if there are better opportunities for independent music in the current times, Akshay says – “I believe this is the best time for independent music. You can create, produce and release your songs from the comfort of your home. There is no need to depend on a big label – you can release your music independently and make it reach all platforms. Nowadays, young musicians are providing opportunities to independent musicians. Earlier you had to wait in line outside the studios, but with Instagram and YouTube, access has become much easier. This does not just mean access to music companies and producers, but also the ability to connect with listeners.”
Legacy of classics should not be tampered with, says IP Singh
When asked about the apprehensions while recreating classic songs, IP explains, “When creating a song, there is always a possibility that some people will like it and some will not. It is difficult to say that we have not done it well. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong in remixing a song. When I was young, I listened to a lot of remixes and discovered new sounds and styles through those songs. Instead of feeling pressured because the song is iconic, we should consider the legacy of the song while creating music. The legacy of the song is what is close to people’s hearts. So, our effort should not deviate from that feeling. When you listen to the crew’s songs, you can hear Ila (Arun) ji and Asha (Bhosle) ji’s voices. We did not want to recreate those parts, as that would have spoiled the song.”
IP also talks about his association with Ricky Kej and calls him his “elder brother” and “good friend”. He tells us that he considers it his contribution to a noble cause as Ricky makes songs for the environment.
I.P. Singh believes that music has the power to inspire.
When asked if music can play a role in spreading awareness in society, IP says, “Yes, absolutely. If you are not involved in any social work but just making good music, that in itself can inspire people. It reaches people’s hearts and can bring about a change in them. The first thing you can do for the world is to do whatever you do with all your heart. You can give a message through your songs, make people happy and try to reduce their pain. Eventually, we will also create songs with meaningful messages. To do that, you need to have enough life experience. As a Sikh, I can say that our Gurus have told in Gurbani what to sing in which raga. Whether it is Sant Kabir or Bulleh Shah, we use their music to introspect and become better human beings. We will always try to give a message of love, brotherhood, harmony and empathy through our music.”
Akshay Raheja on social media trend
When Akshay was asked if social media trends and peer pressure over followers can stifle the creativity of young musicians in the digital age, he said, “If you stay true to your art, you will be on the right track. It is easy for us to say this because we are from a time before social media. We have seen the change. Today’s generation has grown up with mobile phones and the pressure to increase followers. However, if we approach a label or a producer today, the quality of our work still matters the most. In any art form, followers should grow on merit. We must also give credit to the influencers who follow trends and create songs, because it is not an easy task. Posting something every day is a disadvantage in itself. At the end of the day, content is king.”
“People are on social media because it is part of our lives. As long as it remains in our social fabric, it will remain relevant,” Ip concluded.
