Sohail Sen

Last updated

Sohail Sen
Born (1984-06-24) 24 June 1984 (age 39)
GenresPop, classical music, soft rock, retro, world music
Occupation(s)Composer, record producer, singer, instrumentalist, music director, programmer
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, percussion, tabla, piano, dholak, drums, bongos
Years active2008–present

Sohail Sen (born 24 June 1984) is an Indian film composer, musician and singer who works in Bollywood. He debuted as a film composer with the Hindi film Sirf (2008), which went majorly unnoticed. [1] Later, he gained fame as a Hindi film composer, with his acclaimed work in What's Your Raashee? (2009). [2] [ dead link ] [3] [4] [5] He is also known for composing the popular soundtracks of Mere Brother Ki Dulhan , Ek Tha Tiger , and Gunday . [6]

Contents

Early life

Sen comes from a family of musicians who have worked in the film industry and his entry into the film composing world marked the fourth generation of his family to do so. His father, Sameer Sen (of the music director duo Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen) has always been a strong influence in his life, as was his paternal grandfather Shri Shambhu Sen's singing. [7] [8]

Sen started learning music at the age of six. He learnt to play the tabla as a child, and then went on to learn various musical instruments including the piano and percussion and rhythm instruments. He learnt classical music from his grandfather Shri Shambhu Sen. He began his career as a music director at the young age of thirteen when he composed the music for a telefilm titled Roshni and for which renowned singer Kavita Krishnamurthy provided playback. [9] He then decided to assist his father for nine years to fine-tune his skills as a film composer. [8]

Career

In 2008, Sen began his career as a film composer, with the Hindi film Sirf, however, the film was supposed to be released in 2006, but it got delayed badly and was released in 2008 and eventually the music went unnoticed. He also composed the music for The Murderer (2009), [10] which also got delayed and the music went unnoticed. [8]

In 2009, he got a turning point, in his career as a film composer, when director Ashutosh Gowariker approached him for his film What's Your Raashee? . [11] Initially he wanted his all-time favourite composer A. R. Rahman to compose for the film, but Rahman couldn't do it, because he wanted to compose for Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire instead. [12] So, he started looking for someone who is capable and can contribute all his time for composing in his film alone. Sen was always keen to work with Ashutosh Gowariker and incidentally his father Sameer Sen knew him from before and knowing that Gowariker was looking for someone to compose for his film, Sen asked his father to fix a meeting with him. His first meeting with Gowariker was a casual one at his office, it was where he told him that he would like to make him listen to some of his compositions. Gowariker immediately agreed to visit his studio the next morning. The next day, when he went to Sen's studio and heard some of his tunes, he really liked what he heard and after a couple of weeks later, Gowariker called up Sen and said "You are on for this project". For Sen, it was a dream come true. [8] At first Sen was thrilled of getting the offer, but when he was told that there would be 13 songs in the movie, one song for each of the 12 zodiac signs and then one song in which the lead protagonist makes the final choice, he was taken aback, since nowadays its quite rare to hear 13 different songs in one album and that itself was a difficult task, and again, it was an equally difficult task to create 13 distinct songs, each for one particular zodiac sign and then incorporating the flavor of all these 12 songs into that final song, was the most toughest task, however he took it up as a challenge and started working on the music, which took more than one and a half years in the making. [13]

The soundtrack of the film, was released in August 2009 and irrespective of the box office status of the film, it has been able to garner mostly positive critical responses. [5] Bollywood Hungama quoted the album as "interestingly done" and "an experience not to be missed". [2] BBC Music praised Sen's work and quoted him as "Sen shows he can successfully compete with the best in Bollywood". [4] Besides composing the soundtrack and the film score, Sen even sang most of the songs in the film. [3] [14]

In 2010, director Ashutosh Gowariker roped him again, for his period piece film Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey , based on the Chittagong Uprising of 1930. [7] The soundtrack of which met with positive critical responses. [15] [16]

In 2011, he has had a major release with a top banner Yash Raj Films Mere Brother Ki Dulhan , the music of which got appreciation from both critics and masses. The songs "Dhunki", "Isq Risk" and title track were chartbusters. [17] In 2012, he replaced Pritam as the music director for Salman Khan's next film Ek Tha Tiger , since Pritam had date problems with both Yash Raj projects Ek Tha Tiger and Dhoom 3 . [18] The soundtrack received unanimously positive reviews. In 2014, Sen will team up with Ali Abbas Zafar once again after Mere Brother Ki Dulhan for Gunday , which features Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, and Irrfan Khan. [19] While Sen will become music composer for the Hindi theatrical release of Gunday, Bappi Lahiri will compose full Bengali songs for the film, as it is also to be released in Bengali. [20] This marks the first time Bappi Lahiri will work with Yash Raj Films. [21]

Discography

As music director

YearFilmNotes
2008 Sirf All songs Collaborating with Shibani Kashyap [1]
2009 What's Your Raashee? All songs
2010 Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey
2011 Mere Brother Ki Dulhan
2012 From Sydney with Love
Ek Tha Tiger 3 songs: "Lapata", "Saiyaara", and "Banjara"
Won BIG Star Entertainment Award for Most Entertaining Music, along with Sajid–Wajid
2014 Gunday All songs
2016 Housefull 3 1 song: "Taang Uthake"
Happy Bhag Jayegi All songs
2017 The Test Case Composed Title Track for web series on the AltBalaji
2018 Love per Square Foot Released on Netflix
Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi All songs
Baazaar 1 song: "Adhura Lafz"
2019 Fraud Saiyaan 4 songs: "Ishq Ishq Tera", "Fraud Saiyaan", "Mashoor Hazoor - E - Aala", "Ladies Paan"
Romeo Akbar Walter 1 song: "Bulleya"
Housefull 4 3 songs: "Ek Chumma", "Shaitan Ka Saala", "Chammo"
2020 Guns of Banaras All songs
2021 Velle 2 songs: "Raakh Ka Dariya", "Khayali Ishq"
2022 Double XL 3 songs: Taali Taali, Rangelo Manva, Tumse Mila Doon

As playback singer

YearSong TitleFilm TitleCo-Singer
2008"Tujhpe Fida" Sirf Tarannum Mallik
2009"What's Your Raashee? – Pal Pal Dil Jisko Dhoonde" What's Your Raashee? Solo
"Bikhri Bikhri"Marianne D'Cruz
"Pyaari Pyaari" Alka Yagnik
"Su Chhe" Bela Shende
"Salone Kya"Tarannum Mallik
"Jao Na"
"Dhadkan Dhadkan"
"What's Your Raashee? – Chehre Jo Dekhe Hain"Solo
2010"Yeh Des Hai Mera" Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey Solo
"Sapne Saloney" Pamela Jain
2012"Feeling Love in Sydney" From Sydney with Love Solo
"Pyaari Pyaari"Brooklyn Shanti
2014"Gunday" Gunday Solo
2016"Taang Uthaake" Housefull 3 Mika Singh, Neeti Mohan, Mamta Sharma
"Aashiq Tera" Happy Bhag Jayegi Altamash Faridi
2019"Ek Chumma" Housefull 4 Altamash Faridi, Jyotica Tangri

Awards and nominations

YearCategoryNominated workResultRef(s)
Filmfare Awards
2012 Best Music Director Mere Brother Ki Dulhan Nominated [22]
Stardust Awards
2010Standout Performance by a Music Director What's Your Raashee? Nominated [23]
2011Standout Performance by a Music Director Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey [24]
New Musical Sensation – Male
Mirchi Music Awards
2014 Album of The Year Gunday Nominated [25]
Best Song Producer (Programming & Arranging)"Tune Maari Entriyaan" from Gunday

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashutosh Gowariker</span> Indian actor and producer

Ashutosh Gowariker is an Indian film director, actor, screenwriter and producer who works in Hindi cinema. He is known for directing films "set on a huge canvas while boasting of an opulent treatment".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yash Raj Films</span> Indian film studio founded 1970

Yash Raj Films (YRF) is an Indian film production and distribution company founded by veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra in 1970 and being handled and led by his son, Aditya Chopra. It mainly produces and distributes Hindi and Punjabi films. The company has grown to be one of the largest film studios in India, releasing various films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bappi Lahiri</span> Indian singer and composer (1952–2022)

Bappi Aparesh Lahiri, also known as Bappida was an Indian singer, composer and record producer. He popularised the use of synthesised disco music in Indian music industry and sang some of his own compositions. He was popular in the 1980s and 1990s with filmi soundtracks. He also delivered major box office successes in Bengali, Telugu, and Kannada films. His music was well received into the 21st century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anjaan (lyricist)</span> Indian author and film song lyricist

Lalji Pandey, better known by the pen name of Anjaan, was an Indian lyricist known for his work in Hindi language films. Having penned over 1,500 songs for more than 300 films, he is remembered for tracks from his frequent collaborations with composers Kalyanji–Anandji, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, R. D. Burman and Bappi Lahiri. Lyricist Sameer is his son.

<i>Auzaar</i> 1997 Indian film

Auzaar is a 1997 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed by Sohail Khan and written by Anwar Khan. The film stars Salman Khan, Sanjay Kapoor and Shilpa Shetty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sameer Anjaan</span> Indian lyricist

Shitala Pandey, better known as Sameer Anjaan or Sameer, is an Indian lyricist, known for writing songs predominantly for Bollywood films. He is a Guinness World Record holder for writing the most songs.

<i>Main Aurr Mrs Khanna</i> 2009 film directed by Prem Soni

Main Aurr Mrs Khanna is a 2009 Indian romance film starring Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Sohail Khan in lead roles with Nauheed Cyrusi, Yash Tonk and Bappi Lahiri in supporting roles while Preity Zinta and Deepika Padukone make brief special appearances. Directed by debutant Prem Soni, the film, which revolves around the theme of extramarital affair, is a joint production of Sohail Khan Productions and UTV Motion Pictures. The film is produced by Sohail Khan and Ronnie Screwvala, and was released during Diwali festival on 16 October 2009.

<i>Whats Your Raashee?</i> 2009 film by Ashutosh Gowariker

What's Your Raashee? is a 2009 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. It was produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Sunita A. Gowariker. The film stars Harman Baweja and Priyanka Chopra, with Darshan Jariwala and Dilip Joshi in supporting roles. The film is based on the Gujarati novel Kimball Ravenswood by the playwright and novelist Madhu Rye, and follows the story of Yogesh Patel, a Gujarati NRI, who must marry in ten days to save his brother from harm; Yogesh agrees to meet twelve potential brides, one from each zodiac sign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monali Thakur</span> Indian singer and actress

Monali Thakur is an Indian singer and actress. She is the recipient of several awards including a National Film Award for the song "Moh Moh Ke Dhaage" from the film Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015) and a Filmfare Award for the song "Sawaar Loon" from the Film "Lootera" (2013). She was a judge of Zee TV's singing reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs 2014. She was also an "expert" on Colors TV's Rising Star for two consecutive seasons.

<i>Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey</i> 2010 film by Ashutosh Gowariker

Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey is an Indian Hindi-language historical action-adventure film directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and released on 3 December 2010. Starring Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Sikandar Kher, it was based on Manini Chatterjee's Do and Die, an account of the 1930 Chittagong armoury raid.

<i>Whats Your Raashee?</i> (soundtrack) 2009 soundtrack album by Sohail Sen

What's Your Raashee? is the soundtrack album to the 2009 romantic comedy film of the same name. The soundtrack is composed by Sohail Sen and the lyrics are penned by Javed Akhtar. It was released by Sony Music on 9 September 2009 and upon release, the soundtrack received critical acclaim from music critics, who commended Sen's musicianship and vocal ability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neeti Mohan</span> Indian singer

Neeti Mohan is an Indian singer. She sings mainly in Hindi and Tamil films, but has also done songs in Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Punjabi, and English. Born in Delhi, she was one of the winners of the Channel V's reality show Popstars, subsequently being chosen for Aasma, with other winners of the show. She rose to prominence after recording "Ishq Wala Love" for Student of the Year (2012), ultimately winning the Filmfare R. D. Burman Award for New Music Talent and was nominated for the Best Female Playback Singer for "Jiya Re" from Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012).

<i>Mere Brother Ki Dulhan</i> 2011 film by Ali Abbas Zafar

Mere Brother Ki Dulhan is a 2011 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Ali Abbas Zafar in his directorial debut and produced by Aditya Chopra under his banner Yash Raj Films. The film stars Imran Khan, Katrina Kaif, Ali Zafar, and Tara D'Souza. In the film, Dimple Dixit (Kaif) and Luv Agnihotri (Zafar) are due to get married, but difficulties arise when Dimple and Kush (Khan) develop feelings for each other in the days leading up to the wedding.

<i>Ek Tha Tiger</i> 2012 film by Kabir Khan

Ek Tha Tiger is a 2012 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed by Kabir Khan and co-written by Khan and Neelesh Misra, from a story by producer Aditya Chopra. Produced under the Yash Raj Films banner, it is the first installment in the Tiger franchise and the first film in the YRF Spy Universe. It stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, with Ranvir Shorey, Roshan Seth, Girish Karnad, and Gavie Chahal in supporting roles. In the film, Avinash "Tiger" Singh Rathore (Khan), an Indian spy, is tasked with recovering information before it is gained by Pakistan, but is sidetracked after falling in love with Zoya Humaimi (Kaif).

<i>Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey</i> (soundtrack) 2010 soundtrack album by Sohail Sen

Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey is the soundtrack album to the 2010 period film of the same name, composed by Sohail Sen. The lyrics are penned by Javed Akhtar. The film is based on the book Do And Die by Manini Chatterjee, which is based on the Chittagong Uprising of 1930, directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. The album consists of twelve tracks; including five songs and seven background score cues. It was released on 27 October 2010, by T-Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ali Abbas Zafar</span> Indian film director and screenwriter

Ali Abbas Zafar is an Indian film director, producer and screenwriter. He is known for directing Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011), Gunday (2014), Sultan (2016), Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) and Bharat (2019).

<i>Gunday</i> 2014 film by Ali Abbas Zafar

Gunday (transl. Outlaws) is a 2014 Indian Hindi-language action drama film written and directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and produced by Aditya Chopra. The film features Arjun Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra and Irrfan Khan in the lead roles. Set in 1971–1988 Calcutta, Gunday is a story about two best friends and outlaws, who fall in love with a cabaret dancer, which causes rivalry and misunderstandings between them while a police officer tries to take advantage of this situation to put them behind bars.

<i>Armaan</i> (1981 film) 1981 film by Anand Sagar

Armaan is a Hindi film directed by Anand Sagar, starring Raj Babbar, Shakti Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, Ranjeeta Kaur, Dev Kumar, Deepak Parashar and as a guest star Kalpana Iyer and Prema Narayan in song "Mere Jaesi Haseena". It is loosely based on the 1942 Hollywood classic Casablanca.

"Zindagi Meri Dance Dance" is a Hindi song from the Indian film Dance Dance (1987). The song has a remix version in 2017 film Daddy. The film's director Ashim Ahluwalia wanted to make a tribute to composer Bappi Lahiri, so he worked with Norwegian DJ Olefonken to remix the song. It originally composed by Bappi Lahiri and sung by Alisha Chinai in the film Dance Dance. DJ Olefonken recreated it for 2017 film Daddy. But he retained the original singers' voice.

References

  1. 1 2 Toolsee, Gianysh (24 August 2009). ""All the tunes were made fresh according to the script." – Sohail Sen". Planet Bollywood. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
  2. 1 2 Tuteja, Joginder (19 August 2009). "What's Your Raashee?: Music Review". Bollywood Hungama . Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  3. 1 2 Ojha, Ankit. "What's Your Raashee? – A Musical Extravaganza!". Planet Bollywood. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  4. 1 2 Mulji, Priya (16 September 2009). "Sohail Sen – What's Your Raashee?: Music Review". BBC Music . Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  5. 1 2 Indo-Asian news service (24 August 2009). "Sohail Sen's music impresses in 'What's Your Raashee?' (IANS Music Review)". Thaindian News. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  6. Yount, Stacey (24 January 2014). ""Composer Sohail Sen and the Music of Gunday – Exclusive interview!"". Bolly Spice. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  7. 1 2 Toolsee, Gianysh (30 November 2010). ""I am never completely satisfied with my work" – Sohail Sen". Planet Bollywood. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Ramsubramaniam, Nikhil (26 September 2009). "Musically Yours: Sohail Sen". Bollywood Hungama . Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  9. Yount, Stacey (14 August 2011). ""I make my music from my soul and like to touch the soul of people who listen to it." – Sohail Sen". Bolly Spice. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  10. "The Murderer (2009)". Bollywood Hungama . Archived from the original on 11 June 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  11. Indo-Asian News Service (17 June 2009). "Gowariker picks new composer over Rahman for '...Rashee?'". Thaindian.com. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
  12. "Trivia for What's Your Raashee?". IMDb . Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  13. Indo-Asian news service (25 August 2009). "Comparing me to Rahman not fair: Sohail Sen". Thaindian.com. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
  14. Vijayakar, Rajiv (4 September 2009). "'SIGNS' Language". Screen India. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
  15. Indo-Asian news service (30 October 2010). "Patriotism takes centrestage in 'Khelein Hum...' album (IANS Music Review)". Thaindian.com. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  16. Verma, Sukanya (29 October 2010). "Khelein Hum... has beautiful music". Rediff.com. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
  17. Nahta, Komal (9 September 2011). "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan Movie Review". Koimoi.com. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  18. "Pritam chooses Dhoom 3 over Ek Tha Tiger". Bollywood Hungama . 15 September 2011. Archived from the original on 23 September 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  19. "Yash Raj Films". Yash Raj Films. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  20. "Bappi Lahiri sings Bengali song in Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor's 'Gunday'". Indian Express. 9 December 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  21. "Bappi Lahiri sings Bengali song in Gunday | Bollywood News | Hindi Movies News | News". Bollywood Hungama . 9 December 2013. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  22. "Filmfare Awards 2011 Winners - Times of India". The Times of India . Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  23. Hungama, Bollywood (5 December 2013). ""It was like being in a horror movie" - Javed Akhtar on his temporary paralysis - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 19 January 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  24. Hungama, Bollywood (13 August 2014). "Check out: Bangistan actors Pulkit Samrat, Jacqueline Fernandez and Riteish Deshmukh lunch together - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 24 January 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  25. "MMA Mirchi Music Awards". MMAMirchiMusicAwards. Retrieved 27 March 2018.