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An interview with Rupam Islam |
 He
is a rock star in its truest sense. One of the
superheroes of Bengali rock, the lead
singer-composer-lyricist of popular Bangla band
'Fossils', Rupam Islam is all set to make his debut as
a singer-performer in Mukesh Bhatt's forthcoming
Emraan Hashmi-starrer JANNAT. Sreya Basu catches up
with Rupam in Kolkata to speak on JANNAT experience...
How did JANNAT happen?
Music composer Pritam had earlier approached me to
sing for Anurag Basu's film METRO. Since Pritam was
planning to continue the Metro Band even after the
film was made, he asked me to leave 'Fossils'. This
was and is impossible for me-Fossils is my passion and
inspiration for my songs and singing. Besides I am
what I am because of Fossils. Later he asked me to
re-record my popular song 'Hasnuhana' in Hindi. But
that too was postponed due to some technical problems.
It was the third time that I got a chance to work with
Pritam and the rest fell into place by itself.
Tell us about the song that you have sung in the
film.
The song 'Jannat Jahan' is my debut as a playback
singer in a Hindi film. It is the first hard rock
number to be used in a Bollywood flick. Pritam
strongly believed that I am the best person who can do
justice to the song.
What is special about this song?
The song has a strong negative philosophy and that is
what attracted me to it. It says money is heaven. In
my Bengali song Bicycle Chor (Bicycle Thief) I wrote
now-a-days stepping into teens means a time to decide
whether one will become a murderer or a thief. This is
the philosophy that runs today's world. Money is the
key factor of life and it does not matter how one
earns it. The story of the film revolves around
cricket betting and match fixing. Hence the song acts
as a perfect backdrop for the film.
Why have the song re-recorded in Bengali?
The Hindi version of the song was recorded on October
28 last year at Krishna Studio and Lakhdewalas studio.
After the song was released the response of the song
was so overwhelming that the producer of the film,
Mukesh Bhatt called me up and asked me to record a
Bengali version of the song as well. I immediately
penned the song, took the next flight to Mumbai and
recorded the song in March.
You have featured in the video of the song as well...
Yes. This is my gift to my fans for their constant
support and encouragement since Day 1 of Fossils. The
song was shot in chroma (Chorma key is a technology
for mixing two images) at Madh Islands. I will be seen
in my signature style with clipping from the film
supplementing the video. This is the first Bengali
song to be used for the promotion of a Hindi film. The
song will be aired soon.
Are you thinking of taking up Hindi playback
singing after the success of this song?
If I get a chance then why not. As it is among the
Bengali band singers I have done the maximum number of
playback singing in Bengali films, namely PIYALIR
PASSWORD, CHOLO LET'S GO, KANCHAN BABU and JIYO KAKA.
But as for Bollywood, unfortunately no one but Pritam
has approached me so far. He is eager to work with me
in near future as well. But Fossils will always be my
priority.
What are your forthcoming projects?
Right now I am busy with my next Fossils album that
will release during the Pujas.
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