Flight of melody

Manpriya Singh 

Bollywood music composer Tanishk Bagchi can’t stop thanking fans constantly in his tweets. For the compositions that are either trending or repeatedly hitting chartbuster milestones on YouTube. Lately, it’s been for Aankh Marey from Simmba. 

As for his ring-tone, it is yet another of his infectious compositions Dheere Dheere Se Tera Hua from Love Ratri. It was only in 2015 when his debut composition Banno from Tanu Weds Manu Returns garnered impressive number of views and three years later, he is 60 to 70 chartbusters old. “Collectively, my songs must have gathered 3.5 billion views,” shares the Mumbai-based Bollywood music producer, who ironically never wanted a career in music and always wanted to be a pilot.  

Odd jobs

From here on, he connects the initial dots for us. “But due to an injury that broke my ankle and leg partly that could not happen.” Then on, odd jobs like a dispatch guy and a sales stint followed. “This despite the fact that my family was always into music and my dad worked with music directors of his time.” 

Like with several other success stories, he found his calling by the process of elimination. ‘I didn’t see myself doing any desk job. Then one day, my mom suggested that I start with music and I began learning the guitar from her.” 

Mumbai calling

Currently 38, it was 20 years ago he shifted base to Mumbai; met a couple of producers who immediately liked his music and even offered a stay. He laughs, “At the time I was happy with even Rs 3,000 for a song, which meant 10 songs would fetch me Rs 30,000.” 

Any conversation with Bollywood’s trending music composer has to be directed towards his personal playlist and future plans (which take him straight to LA for several future collaborations). “I’m absolutely hooked on to love ballads, which is because I am a softy at heart, a complete family guy. I love my two kids, my wife and my parents.” 

Gurdas Maan fan

Currently, it’s Lady Gaga on repeat mode in his list. 

Talk of Punjabi music and he immediately mentions Gurdas Maan. “I love his music and then there is Lehmber Hussainpuri whose voice has a different texture.” Before signing off, there is a little piece of advice for all those aspiring for a career in music. “Everybody should be honest to their craft. You can get inspired from people, but not copy them blatantly.”         

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