Kavita Seth fans were in for a treat last month as her song ‘Khumaari’ from Kesari Chapter 2 was released. Sung by Kavita and composed by both Kavita and her son Kanishk Seth, the song, featuring Masaba Gupta, has been picturized aesthetically. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Kavita Seth and Kanishk Seth spoke about the song and a lot more.
EXCLUSIVE: Kavita Seth, Kanishk Seth WOWED by picturization of Kesari Chapter 2 song ‘Khumaari’: “Fascinating that the ghazal was interpreted in such a manner”; Kavita expresses her desire to sing for Cocktail 2: “If they invite me, we’ll give them something BETTER than ‘Tumhi Ho Bandhu’”
When I heard ‘Khumaari’, I had no idea that it would be filmed in such a manner. Did that surprise you and what reaction have you received for this number?
Kavita Seth: The reaction has been great. And even we were shocked when we saw the visuals. We liked the fact that this ghazal was interpreted in such a manner! It didn’t look odd as well. It was beautiful. It made it clear that art can’t be confined to a boundary. Usko kaise bhi socha ja sakta hai. Hence, it was a beautiful experience. With the visuals, the charm of the song was enhanced manifold.
Tell us about the idea behind the composition of the song…
Kavita Seth: For ‘Khumaari’, I have used the Darbari Raag. It’s a raag which is usually sung by males. I don’t know why but I felt that it would suit this song. The beauty of the Ragas is that unke jo sur hai, woh vayu mandal mein chaaro taraf hai. If you come across it, you are bound to like it. Hence, I feel that Raga-based songs have a long shelf life.
Was this song composed earlier or did you guys compose it specially for this film?
Kanishk Seth: We had composed it before. Mom was composing it and when I heard it, I realized that this was an amazing song which I’d like to produce in a jazz style. I did that and meanwhile, the team at Dharma loved it. Much later, we got to know that it was being used in Kesari Chapter 2. When they told me that they were going to add a Burlesque kind of visual to it, I was wowed. I was wondering how would it look on the song. When we finally saw the video, we were really impressed with how things shaped up.
How did the song land in Kesari Chapter 2?
Kanishk Seth: Dharma has a big team and one of the departments is the music supervision, headed by Azeem Dayani. During JugJugg Jeeyo (2022), we had worked together. At that time, he had heard this song and had expressed the desire to use it in a film.
Akshay Kumar has a good ear for music. Did he talk to you both about the song?
Kanishk Seth: No, I didn’t but I got to know from Azeem that he really loved it. He also wanted the song in the film.
We see you have been working repeatedly in films of Dharma Productions, be it Kesari Chapter 2, JugJugg Jeeyo, Mr & Mrs Mahi (2024) and of course Wake Up Sid (2009)…
Kavita Seth: (Laughs) Kuch karmic connection zaroor hai! I guess we have bonded well. They liked my taste. We also enjoy working with them and vice versa. We enjoy each other’s company too.
As an independent artist, how much will you push a song? But through a film, a song can simply take off, especially if it’s complemented by nice visuals and has been promoted well. Even if the promotion has not happened, a greater number of people will check out the song as it’s a part of a film. And if it’s a good production house, toh fir tension nahin rehti hai. Things are clear. It’s a win-win situation. We are benefiting aur unko bhi acche songs mil rahe hai (laughs)!
Social media has also contributed to the popularity of your songs and it’s also strange to see how it works. Your song ‘Rangisari’ was released in 2020 but it became famous much later…
Kanishk Seth: This is happening everywhere. It just didn’t happen with us. When it happened with us, we were wondering, ‘The song has been out for 1 ½ years and it’s trending now’. I guess every song has its destiny. I was recently listening to a song by Surinder Kaur. She composed songs years ago and her tracks were trending on Instagram. It’s a matter of 1-2 Reels and how your song is used in those videos.
Kavita Seth: Acchi cheezon ka rang dikhta hi logon ko; if not today, it’ll happen after a few years. You don’t need to work hard. Kar ke chhod do, bas! Let the Universe do the needful. Your song will end up reaching people. ‘Rangisari’ is an example of it. We did nothing and look how it exploded. Once it became a part of a film (it was recreated in JugJugg Jeeyo), its popularity increased manifold. Similarly, ‘Khumaari’ will also have its journey.
Kavita ji, your song ‘Tumhi Ho Bandhu’ from Cocktail (2012) is unforgettable. Now, Cocktail 2 is being made. Can we expect one more gem from you in the second part?
Kavita Seth: (Smiles) If they invite me, we’ll give them something better than ‘Tumhi Ho Bandhu’! It was a huge hit. It is often said now that songs don’t have a shelf life. But take any song of mine. ‘Iktara’ (from Wake Up Sid) was released way back in 2009. Kids who were in Class 1 then have now passed college and they are listening to it (laughs)!
What next?
Kanishk Seth: We have a song in Suswagatam Khusamdeed. Then, I have a song in the upcoming Netflix show, The Royals. We also have a song in Daring Partners, made by Dharmatic Entertainment. Moreover, we have composed an album for meditation purposes. It’s on chakra healing.
Kavita Seth: I’ll be performing at a show called Only Nazms on May 11. The idea is that I want good poems to reach out to the audience. I also have an IP called Main Kavita Hoon. I talk about famous poets in this two-hour programme. It is my passion and also my weakness.
Your name is also poetic…
Kavita Seth: (Smiles) Indeed. I guess that’s why my parents named me Kavita. Bas ek gadbad kar di bhagwan ne. Main kavita likh nahin paati hoon. Bas apna naam ‘Kavita’ likh paati hoon; baaki kuchh nahin (laughs)!
More Pages: Kesari Chapter 2 Box Office Collection , Kesari Chapter 2 Movie Review
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