Amit Trivedi recalls how Shilpa Rao introduced him to Anurag Kashyap: “I never saw myself as a music director”
Music composer and singer Amit Trivedi recently opened up about the early phase of his career and recalled how singer Shilpa Rao played an important role in his entry into the Hindi film industry. In a conversation with trade analyst Komal Nahta on Game Changers: The Music Series, Trivedi spoke about his advertising days, his plans to pursue independent music and his first meeting with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap.
Trivedi revealed that he met Rao while working in advertising and was impressed by her voice. The two eventually collaborated on an independent song, 'Dhol Yara Dhol,' which Trivedi had hoped to turn into a music video.
“I met Shilpa Rao during my advertising days. She used to make many ads in studios. I fell in love with her voice. She is a wonderful person and a great friend. One fine day, I told her, ‘Let’s do something together, like an album.’ We did our first song, ‘Dhol Yara Dhol’, an independent song,” he recalled.
Trivedi said his initial plan was to release the music independently and approach platforms and music companies for a music video. However, Rao had other plans and began pitching their songs to filmmakers.
“I wanted to make a music video for MTV, Sony or any music company. However, Shilpa was very ambitious! She took our songs and pitched them to directors,” he said.
How Shilpa Rao connected Amit Trivedi with Anurag Kashyap
Trivedi recalled that Rao eventually told him she had played their songs to Anurag Kashyap and asked him to meet the filmmaker. The composer admitted that he was initially surprised because he had not been planning to enter films.
“One day, she called me and said, ‘I played our songs to Anurag Kashyap sir. Will you come and meet him?’ I was shocked and told her, ‘Why are you doing this? We were planning on doing independent music. Why are you getting involved with films?’” Trivedi said.
Although he enjoyed Hindi films and their music, Trivedi said he had never imagined himself working as a film music director. He also admitted that his lack of familiarity with the industry made the prospect intimidating.
“I enjoyed films and their music, but I never saw myself as a music director. I wanted to stick to the plan as I had no knowledge of the industry. I was introverted, and the film industry was very overwhelming for me,” he added.
Trivedi eventually travelled to Bandra for the meeting with Kashyap. He recalled that the filmmaker helped ease his concerns about entering the film industry. “I went to Bandra to meet Anurag sir. He was amazing! He took all my thoughts and fears away from my head,” Trivedi said.
The composer went on to establish himself as one of the prominent names in contemporary Hindi film music, with his work spanning films across different genres and musical styles.
His latest conversation with Komal Nahta is part of Game Changers: The Music Series, which features conversations with singers, composers and other musicians about their careers and creative journeys.
Also Read: Amit Trivedi reveals the HEARTBREAKING story behind Lootera’s ‘Zinda’: “I was sad and distraught; I wrote the song for myself”
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