Exclusive! Amit Mishra: There should be more than theme songs in series

Can't stop crooning the title track of Unpaused: Naya Safar? Is Sakht Jaan from 83 on your mind? We at OTTplay caught up with the singer of both the songs, Amit Mishra. While talking to us, he spoke about how OTT should change how it looks at songs, his collaboration with Pritam once again, the music mafia and how COVID-19 affected the industry. Excerpts...

Hearing songs in web series is quite rare. Do you believe that the culture of songs in films or series, apart from the theme song, will eventually die out?

They should have more songs. Earlier, I got a chance to sing for Rajma. There were six tracks in that project. There should be more than theme songs in series.

You have collaborated with Pritam many times, the latest being 83 song Sakht Jaan. Tell me about that. What has your collaboration been like and what has the experience been like?

It was a very normal call. Dada called me for recording. He heard it and wanted me to record it again-and-again. I didn't get the exact feel of the song because the passion was coming out. I got a call 2-3 weeks after recording. They compiled it and made it sound nice. They wanted me to get into a power track. It required that energy. We needed to maintain that energy. This is nothing new. I always take a lot of time in studios for every song. Maybe I'm a tubelight which is why I got the opportunity to even record for the movie called Tubelight (Salman Khan-Kabir Khan's film).

How did Pritam da work with you again-and-again then?

Maybe he likes tubelight (laughs). He needs someone who can brighten up the song in a way. It's phenomenal working with him. He's just a brilliant master himself.

Coming to that, how did it take you so long to collaborate with Sachin-Jigar?

It's just the beginning. You never know how will it take so long but this is just the beginning to collaborate with them. I might get more songs with them to record as well. It is an honour to work with such huge composers. Their songs are very new age and thus, I was very happy when I got the chance to record in their studios. They were very much impressed as well. I recently performed in a concert with them where I found their vibe really cool.

You are also a voice artist. Take me through that journey.

I'm not a voice artist per say. I just like to record music in different languages and thus, have been given the tag. Disney people reject me on the face but I'm okay because I want to sing. Malayalam and Kannada have been quite challenging to record in. I recorded a track in Marathi too. It's fun to record in different languages as well but I'm happy with Bollywood.

After working on high-budget films like Dilwale, Dishoom and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, did projects keep coming your way or was there struggle to get work?

I had to struggle to deliver songs at its best. Nobody compromises with their tracks and I don't try to compromising with my singing. I have learnt this from my mentors. It was more about going on practicing and keep the zeal while singing songs. Of course, there have been rejections but that is much better than what I went through previously. At least now I get three out of five songs. Lord has been kind to me and I want to keep getting better.

When you say that you didn't receive projects/when you faced rejections, was it because of the much-debated music mafia?

No, no. I couldn't sing well. I only thought I did. I wanted to keep improving my art. I had songs which released in three-four years. I guess the music mafia likes me and give me work. They are very receptive about me. Every time I faced rejections and heard the song later on, I took it in my stride and learnt from them because they sang it so brilliantly. The rejections were mostly because I actually couldn't deliver. That happens to me even now sometimes. I get to the studio and wonder what the song wants to convey. I want to get into the grasp of the soul, where Sonu Nigam sir resides. He can recollect a song in 20 minutes and deliver it in 30 minutes. Being that quick requires experience and I'm earning it.

Do you think you have cracked the formula on how to go about in the industry?

Not really. It's a maze sometimes. The only formula would probably be with Arijit Singh. It would be legendary if I can crack the formula. I just respect the people I work with. They teach me to be humble and well-disciplined. They are my fraternity.

Has COVID-19 affected the work of singers too? What was your source of income during the time?

I really miss stage but am lucky enough to work for studios. The pandemic has affected the whole market in terms of live performances among other things. Nobody's untouched with the impact of the pandemic. I somehow got sufficient work and feel satisfied according to the situation. I'm keeping patience, trying to keep myself healthy and want people to stay healthy too. I wish Lord be kind to everyone.