I would love to be the voice of Salman Khan: Amaal Malik

He started his career with 'Jai Ho' and his song 'Sooraj Dooba Hai' from the film 'Roy' is being rated as the ultimate chart topping dance number since its release. The song 'Chaar Shanivaar' from the Abhishek Bachchan starrer `All is Well` has already become a party anthem and its composer - Amaal Mallik is today a successful musician in the Hindi film industry.

Son of Daboo Mallik, Amaal started learning music at the age of 8 and embarked on his musical journey with Salman Khan's `Jai Ho`.

Talking to Anindita Dev from Zee News, Amaal speaks about his equation with Salman Khan, his first break and much more.

Coming from a lineage of musicians and singers, tells us about your journey in Bollywood so far?

Since childhood I have seen musicians at home along with music sittings, cassettes, CDs, keyboards, guitars everywhere. My grandfather Sardar Malik has been a major influence in my life and I learnt all the Hindustani classical from him and later went to Trinity College to get formal training in Western music.
I debuted in Bollywood as a music composer for Salman Khan's film in 2014 and then went on to compose a single for the movie 'Khoobsurat'.
After my song 'Sooraj Dooba Hain' from the movie `Roy` did well and gained immense popularity, it gave me a push and the confidence boost that I needed.

How did you get your first break?

Salman Khan is responsible for that. He asked dad to tell Armaan to come and play for him. He called me over to his house and told me that he likes the tune.
He went on to say that he would take one of my tunes for `Jai Ho`. I was the youngest music composer he launched.

Is success at a young age liberating or scary for you?

It's a great feeling when people listen to your music, connect to your songs. 'Sooraj Dooba became bigger than I expected. My other songs have also done well, with some taking time to become chartbusters. I believe every song has its own journey.
`Zindagi Aa Raha Hoon Main` reached 12 million views on YouTube, which just blew my mind because when you make a song you never know what happens. There are always questions like 'will people accept it, love it, connect to it?'
So it's overwhelming to see that most of my songs have done decently well and given me the boost to work harder.

You and your brother Armaan Malik have worked together in Salman Khan's 'Jai Ho'. Would you say you were lucky?

Yes, being launched by none other than the Salman Khan is really big.
I wouldn't say lucky as I worked very hard, no one knows my story. No one knows that our journey has been really long.
Armaan started at 10 in 'little Champs'. He got a break from Vishal Shekhar as a singer and worked under several composers like Pritam, Amar Mohile, Sandeep Chowta, Salim Sulaiman. I went on to produce their songs and background scores, composed for several advertising jingles.
So I believe I was lucky that I got a chance from Salman Sir, but I also gave him a tune that he liked. So it works both ways. People will work with you if they like your work. The first opportunity maybe easy but after that it's your talent and hard work that paves the way ahead.
Today the industry is open for any new composer to come ahead and give a hit song.

Your 'Sooraj Dooba Hai' is a popular party anthem. Where does your inspiration come from?

For Sooraj Dooba Hain...I liked the word Matlabi as it is a very common word used by each and every Indian. So I always keep my ears open for the "Hook Lines" which have to come from the public itself to become the mainstay of hits.
I like simple melodies and simple lyrics. Luckily I belong to a musical family and music runs in my blood. I grasped film music from the sittings that happened at home. I literally eat-drink-sleep music.

Which Bollywood actor would you like to sing or compose for?

I would love to be the voice of Salman Khan. He is my mentor and I have already composed for him! I look forward to singing and composing for him.
Among the younger generation I would love to sing and compose for Varun Dhawan.

Your music idol?

In Bollywood I look up to Pritam, RD Burman and AR Rehman. In Hollywood would be Hans Zimmer.

Where is Indian music heading, especially in the wake of recent remixes and copying?

I am not against any recreations or remixes as long as they are tastefully done and don't destroy the original song's essence.
Copying is something which we don't talk about much, but it's our producers who over the years have forced composers to copy. Sometimes we are informed that the rights are acquired and later when you are accused of plagiarism the music director is scrutinized, because the rights haven't been bought.
I wouldn't support ripping someone else's work. Either you get in touch with the original composer or the owner of that piece of music, license it from them, give them credit and recreate it in your way.

What is your approach to create an original soundtrack for any project?

I first sit down with the production team and the director and understand the era
that the film is set in, the location, and a little bit of briefing about the situation. It's important to balance both the producer's requirement to make a hit album and a director's requirement to have music that sits well into his narrative.
It's important that a listener connects to the song outside the film as well, listens to it while driving in his car and enjoys it.
Music adds to the films collection in small budget and big budget films as well.

Any plans of turning to Hollywood?

I'd love to collaborate with Red One, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake and David Guetta. I would love to work with Hans Zimmer to score a film.

Live performance or cutting your own albums - which defines Amaal Malik?

My music is very simple and I would love to keep it that way. I'm not here to show what all I've learnt. I'm here to make good songs that can connect with the world. A single or singing for a film song will happen when the time is right.