Nothing wrong in remixing classics: Vinay Sapru

Vinay Sapru and Radhika Rao

Music and film director-producer duo Vinay Sapru and Radhika Rao’s latest song Lut Gaye, sung by Jubin Nautiyal, is a massive hit with over 330 million views on YouTube.

The video, featuring Emraan Hashmi and newbie Yukti Thareja, is based on a real-life incident of Mumbai’s famous encounter specialist Vijay Dandekar. In a candid interview with DH, Vinay Sapru talks about the song, on remixing of old classics, the need for new music icons and more.

Excerpts:

What was the inspiration for Lut Gaye?

Our first song was by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sahab, and this song is also written by him. We thought fusing a classic song and a real-life story would be gripping and we were right.

In a career spanning over two decades, you have directed films, made ads and songs. What do you enjoy the most?

I think it is music that drives us the most. We started by directing Kinna Sona of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sahab. Then we directed a lot of blockbuster songs with greats like Asha (Bhonsle) Ji, Pankaj Udhas, Jagjit Singh sahab, Lata Mangeshkar Ji, and others. In the middle, we started doing films and stopped directing songs which made us a little uneasy. We realised that a country of one-and-a-half-billion needed more icons.

In our days we had 'dandiya queen' Falguni Pathak and 'ghazal king' Jagjit Singh sahab. But we cannot think of names like that from this generation. So we started grooming Dhvani Bhanushali. Her song Vaaste went on to become the biggest song of India last year. When such things happen it makes us believe that music is our calling.

In recent times, we have seen a surge in remix of Hindi classics…

Our earlier remixes were Asha Ji’s Piya Tu Ab Toh Aa Jaa, and Parde Mein Rehne Do. Today, we have remixed our track Yaad Piya Ki Aane Lagi. Dhvani Bhanushali was also launched by us in the album Le Jaa Re. I have remixed my own songs after a decade or so, and they turned out to be bigger hits than the originals. The audience love it! The classics need to be brought to the younger generation. I think from the point of view of the creator and there is nothing wrong with remixing classics.

What are the roadblocks while creating original content?

This is the best time to create music. For example, Dhvani debuted with a recreated song, but I consolidated her career with an original song Vaaste. It even dominated film songs. This means that there is an audience out there who wants to listen to new content. So lyricists, composers, singers, recording room artists should continue working hard and reach out to people like us who are giving young people breakthroughs. This is the best time for new artists.

What are your upcoming projects?

We are doing a film with T-Series. It is a coming of age, musical film. We are planning for an early next year release. And of course, we will keep looking out for new faces.