Like a bankable star ensures that a film gets a decent opening, music director and composer Rochak Kohli is able to change the dynamics of a movie. Except that his songs take a non-film route; they become a sensation on social networking sites and college fests before filmmakers acknowledge them by taking them as singles.
He is the man behind rocking singles like Pani Da Rang which was released while he was in college in Chandigarh before finally being accepted for Vicky Donor . The song played a significant role in the film’s success. It was followed by “Saadi Gali” and “O Heeriye” each one establishing his reputation as the singles champ along with friend Ayushmann Khurana.
And now he has been roped in by Vidhu Vinod Chopra for his ambitious film Wazir after 150 singers were tried, tested and rejected by him. The song is “Atrangi Yari”, meaning unusual friendship.
On the song’s background, Rochak says, “Gurpreet Saini and Deepak Ramola came to us and created six songs for a commercial. One of them was this one. Anurag Rao of Far Out Media got a brief for Wazir and this song went go for approval. That is how I came to meet Vidhuji who gave me a bear hug after finalising Atrangi Yaari . It was my dream to see Amitabh Bachchan and Farhan Akhtar sing it but before I could broach the subject, Vidhuji announced that the duo would be singing. All of them saw merit in my song,” says Rochak.
While his wish has been fulfilled, he was suggested by the senior Bachchan to alter the lyrics but he stood his ground.
“After listening to the entire song, Bachchanji told me to repeat certain words as they were sounding music to the ears. But I told him that repetition would spoil the surprise element. And the credit goes to the legendary actor for accepting my explanation. It was so humble of him to agree to a junior music composer like me.”
While the superstars have come into prominence due to his song, Rochak has again been sidelined. But this enterprising man, who while studying with Ayushmann Khurana made songs with him, has not taken this to his heart as the kind of response his song is generating on social networking sites is astounding and as singles virtually acts as a lifeline for the film.
“With Bachchan and Farhan singing this song, which is in pure Hindi, I am getting tremendous response. Their reach is unmatchable as even before the release the song has become the talk of the town.
Thanks to Bachchan, Farhan for agreeing to it and tweeting about it; the song has already created a buzz. They could have rejected to sing it as the song was approved after the completion of the film.”
Though he has the knack of making his song a huge hit even before it goes to the filmmaker for approval, Rochak would like to become the centre of attraction as a singer.
“Earlier I was not confident about my singing but now I have enough experience and ability to infuse life into lyrics.
Now I am geared up to sing and have been roped in to sing ‘Tashrif’ for a film Bank Chor which releases in 2016,” says Rochak. Be prepared for a quirky take for the guy gave a twist to lullaby Lalla Lalla Lori ( Welcome 2 Karachi ) in such a way that it became a grooving track for the youth.
