In five years, Manan Bhardwaj has carved a niche for himself as a music composer, singer and lyricist. He has been a part of the songs of significant films like Shiddat (2021), Radhe Shyam (2022), Satyaprem Ki Katha (2023), Animal (2023), etc. His latest work is Nishaanchi. Manan has composed as well as written ‘Neend Bhi Teri’, ‘Jhule Jhule Paalna’, ‘Bhaga Bhaga Ke Maarenge’, ‘Reh Gaye Akele’ and ‘Soja’ (he also sang these songs, except ‘Soja’). In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Manan Bhardwaj spoke about Nishaanchi and a lot more.
EXCLUSIVE: Manan Bhardwaj talks about Nishaanchi and how Sapna Chaudhary inspired a peppy track; opens up on Harshvardhan Rane-starrer Tara vs Bilal’s token theatrical release: “Had it been released after Sanam Teri Kasam’s re-release success, it would have been a BLOCKBUSTER!”
How has the feedback been for Nishaanchi?
This has been a one-of-its-kind film. I have never been associated with a movie like this before. The songs are of varied genres and are situational. Also, there were a few songs that Anurag sir (Anurag Kashyap) liked. Accordingly, he wrote scenes to fit those songs. When you see the film, you’ll realize that the scenes are according to the lyrics. He gave us a lot of freedom.
You composed, wrote and sang ‘Neend Bhi Teri’. Aaishvary Thackeray, the lead actor of the film, has sung one version of it as well. How did that come about?
I sang the song and we locked it. Then, Anurag sir sent me a version of the song, sung by Aaishvary. He told me, ‘Sunn ke batao kaisi lag rahi hai awaaz’. I heard and told him, ‘Acchi lag rahi hai awaaz. Kisne gaya hai?’. He replied, ‘Yeh apna actor hai’! I replied, ‘Done hai, sir. Gawaate hai isse’!
The strength of your compositions is that they seem very true to the setting of the film. For instance, ‘Arjan Vailly’ in Animal. ‘Bhaga Bhaga Ke Maarenge’, meanwhile, gives a feeling that it is composed by someone into regional and folk music in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. How do you get this aspect right?
But that’s how it should be, right? If I compose a song for a film down South, it should seem like the song is from that region. You must have noticed that though Animal was released in many languages, ‘Arjan Vailly’ wasn’t dubbed it in other languages. For ‘Bhaga Bhaga Ke Maarenge’, I had Sapna Chaudhary in my mind, possibly since I am from Haryana. Recently, I found out that the actress who features in the song, Vedika Pinto, also took inspiration from Sapna Chaudhary while rehearsing. Anurag sir also referred to her while instructing Vedika. I researched folk songs and the kind of numbers people would like to listen in that area. I realized ‘Bhaga Bhaga Ke Maarenge’ is a term that people use out there very casually. Also, it wasn’t used in any other track and that’s how it got locked.
Have you composed songs for Nishaanchi-2 as well?
Yes, absolutely.
An album that doesn’t get much talked about but deserves to be mentioned is Tara vs Bilal (2022). It was a rare film where you composed all the songs…
I just love that album. And yes, I composed all the songs; it was the first for me.
However, Tara vs Bilal hardly got any shows. I remember struggling to find a cinema to watch the film. Do you think that if the film had been released in cinemas on a large scale, it would have gotten its due?
100%. If a film releases in more theatres and gets more appreciation, it helps for sure. I did go to see it in cinemas and I was happy to see 50% occupancy. Nevertheless, you do wish that the promotion should have been better. Anyway, if a film has to work, it will work. Sanam Teri Kasam (2006), starring the same actor (Harshvardhan Rane), was re-released earlier this year and became a very big hit. When that happened, I wondered, ‘Had Tara vs Bilal been released now, it would have been a blockbuster too’! It’s a matter of luck. The same happens with songs as well. You can’t compose a track and wish ‘Yeh gaana ka toh hit karna hi karna hai’.
Did Tara vs Bilal help you form an association with John Abraham? You later worked on two more films of the actor, Vedaa (2024) and The Diplomat (2025)…
I just realized that I have worked in three films of John sir (smiles). However, I was offered Vedaa by Nikkhil Advani sir, the director and producer of the film. As for The Diplomat, it was T-Series that asked me to compose the song, ‘Bharat’. I bagged Tara vs Bilal due to T-Series as well and director Samar Iqbal bhai. Honestly, I haven’t had much interaction with John sir. I spoke with him during the film’s release. He called me on my birthday once.
You wear so many hats as you are a rare music director who is also a lyricist and a singer. How do you decide which song should be sung by you and which song should be sung by someone else?
Honestly, I feel lucky that I am able to wear so many hats. Otherwise, it would have caused a lot of delay in my work. Feel chala jaata hai. Suppose I am working on a romantic song, I could feel the track when I have composed the tune. Then I have to wait for the lyricist to add lyrics and for the singer to be available to sing. By the time the lyricist pens the lyrics, I would have lost that feel. I am able to compose, pen lyrics and sing and all three processes take place simultaneously. Also, it’s not like I want only me to sing the songs that I have composed. For instance, ‘Oonchi Oonchi Deewarein’ from Yaariyan 2 (2023) suits Arijit Singh’s voice completely. I can’t sing that song. ‘Arjan Vailly’ Bhupinder Babbal paaji hi gaayenge; main nahin gaa sakta. These are the calls you have to take when you are composing music for such big films. You can’t be laalchi about singing your songs.
As per IMDb, you are a part of Shah Rukh Khan’s next, King…
Really? I had no idea about it. I am not a part of the film.
It is said that data and algorithms have taken centre stage and music composers are asked to take that into consideration while composing. Is it true and what are your views on it?
Yes, this has happened. Earlier, there was pressure that we needed to sell a certain number of cassettes and CDs. Now, you have to play multiple roles. At one point, you are a creator – you compose the songs and finalize them. But before the release, you become a businessman and you wish ‘Mere gaane pe itne views aane chahiye’. I believe that every song has its own destiny. If it’s well-made, it’ll automatically find its path, if not today, then 10 years later. Like, I am waiting for the day the songs of Tara vs Bilal become popular. Hence, the artist shouldn’t get bothered by these aspects.
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