From the ‘soundproof' hills of Kashmir to Bollywood: Meet Faheem Abdullah and Arslan Nizami, musicians behind Saiyaara's title track
Yash Raj Films recently announced their upcoming film Saiyaara, starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. Both faces are newcomers to Bollywood and will face the ultimate test of debutantes come release day. Another duo related to the film who are already under the spotlight are musicians Faheem Abdullah and Arslan Nizami. Faheem is the voice behind Saiyaara's title track, while Arslan got a chance to compose the song alongside industry veteran Tanishk Bagchi. Hailing from Kashmir, the duo have made people notice their ability to tell stories via music through their respective debut albums. Now, however, they must tackle a different beast, making music for a big-budget Bollywood movie backed by Yash Raj Films. Staked by director Mohit Suri, the duo have been given a seat on the high-rollers' table, and it's up to the fans to decide whether this hand will be a winner or not.
In an exclusive interview with SCREEN, the two young artistes talk about entering Bollywood with a Yash Raj Film and how different the process of creating something as pure as music is when you are a solo troupe compared to when you have a big banner backing you up.
So what kind of music are Faheem and Arslan listening to these days?
Faheem – Well, that is a very personal question, to be honest, but I think I have been listening to a lot of Turkish rock-pop right now and a lot of Afro house these days.
Arslan – I have been exploring the band Bayaan these days, and I have also been listening to this new artist that I have recently explored, Charle Cunningham.
Faheem – I mean, the music taste is very similar; that's why Arslan and I make music a certain way. We keep exploring genres, and that helps when you are feeling very emotional and overwhelmed. Bayaan has been an inspiration to both of us.
Both of you had incredible debut albums. How is the experience of recording your very own independent album different from recording a project for a big banner like Yash Raj Films?
Faheem – Well, I think it was a blessing to have a very similar sort of experience while making music for independent releases and now for Yash Raj Films. We as artistes, Arslan and I have believed in collaborating. If you look at our albums, it's been a collaborative effort from other Kashmiri artists and people from all over the country. As artistes, we are very possessive about our melodies and work, but when you do something for a film, you have to rewire yourself. The lyrics might change, the length of the song might change, and you have to be very open to it. The inclusivity in the making of a film song is such an experience. Everybody is trying to make a beautiful piece of art.
Arslan – Recording my own independent album was like standing in front of a mirror, with no script, and just my own truth. On the other hand, working with a banner like YRF is like being part of a grand cinematic symphony. You are always surrounded by some of the best minds in the business, and it has taught me discipline, collaboration, and how to elevate a song so that it can fit into a movie.
What was it like working with a mind like Tanishk Bagchi, someone with a discography so vast and varied?
Faheem – I think working with Dada (Tanishk) was no less than getting yourself into a school. There is so much to learn from him and his experience. He made us very comfortable with whatever we were doing, and he gives you the freedom to express yourself. He makes it look so seamless while he is transcending what you have created in a raw form into something which the world would get to listen to. It was a great learning process for both of us, and especially for me.
Arslan – Dada is very collaborative and open to experimenting. He brings that energy and creativity to the studio. He tells you to do whatever you feel like in the moment. It's just you, your guitar and whatever you want to do with it. That kind of support and space was special for the both of us.
Coming from a place like Kashmir, how important do you think it is for someone to have the agency to make music like both of you? Do you guys think that through your projects, you have somehow given power to whosoever comes after you?
Faheem – Tough situations and tough conditions make the artistes who they really are. If you give an artiste all the luxury, I don't think they will be able to truly express the emotions they have been feeling. A major emotion behind us making music is the experiences and the pain that we have gone through in our lives. All those summed up together, and Kashmir has been the inspiration behind our melodies and our music. At the same time, since we have come out and started making music, we have actively seen a lot of young musicians coming up to us, mailing us and even coming to our studio. The valley felt like it was 'soundproof' and that our music wasn't going through, but now it is, and it feels great being able to do this.
Many established singers like Sunidhi Chauhan and Jonita Gandhi have talked about playback singers not getting paid for Bollywood projects. Do you think that is still the case, or are things changing?
Faheem – If you look at the change in pattern in the industry, earlier the singers from the industry used to record songs for the films, and that was it. The trends have changed in the last couple of years, as a lot of artistes from the indie background have set foot into Bollywood. It's true that for an indie musician, the pressure is not that much. If it doesn't work out in the industry, you can always go back to pursuing your own independent music that you used to. Speaking for Arslan and me, we never came into music for earning money. He was working as an engineer in a tunnel; I finished my master's in English Literature and was planning to be a full-time writer and editor. The music journey came at the right time, and we call ourselves 'God's chosen duo'. But if it doesn't work out, we are very comfortable going back to lead the lives that we used to.
You both have talked about the power and importance of collaborations. What are some of the dream collaborations for both of you from within the industry?
Faheem – Well, I personally want to work with a few names out there; one is Mithoon sir, the other is Vishal Bhardwaj sir, and the end goal would be working with AR Rahman. I think I will have achieved everything if I get to work with him.
Arslan – I always wanted to work with Rekha Bhardwaj ma'am, and I did that on the track 'Rooh'. Apart from that, AR Rahman sir would be lovely.
Does working with someone like YRF come with its own pressures? What would you say to the people discovering you or thinking of venturing into the world of music?
Faheem – It certainly does, because you have a responsibility on your shoulders. Someone like YRF, who has been doing it for decades now and does it like no one else, working for them does put you under some pressure, coming from a place like Kashmir. To be accepted by someone like YRF, Mohit Suri sir and Dada, it felt like a responsibility, and we were trying to do it right initially until we were told that 'you don't have to do it right; you just have to do it the way you feel about it, and you have to be honest about it.'
Arslan – I think the key is to just stay grounded. I always remind myself about why I started. It's about the music and not the spotlight, and as long as I stay true to my emotions and the emotions behind the song, the pressure becomes the fuel rather than a source of fear.
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