'The Work I Do Is Not Atypical': Music Icon Bickram Ghosh On Band Of Maharajas In Oscars 2024 Race - EXCLUSIVE

Bickram Ghosh Exclusive Interview: It's not everyday that we get to chat with the music maestro Bickram Ghosh. It was a special moment indeed, especially after the Oscars 2025 longlist announcement. It was a historic moment when the yet-to-be released Hindi film 'Band Of Maharajas' entered the race for the 97th Academy Awards nominations not just one but in two categories. The Girish Malik directorial, with the soul-stirring music composition by Bickram Ghosh, has been declared eligible for Oscars 2025 nominations for 'Best Original Song' - Punjabi song 'Ishq Walla Daku' and 'Best Original Score' categories.

Filmibeat got the special opportunity to chat with the icon Bickram Ghosh where he talked about the film running for Oscars 2025 nominations, his bond with Girish Malik, acting in this film and more.

Here are excerpts from the interview:

1) The film is in the Oscar contention not just one but in two categories. Does this put extra pressure on you?

There is pressure but one has to learn to calibrate because these things are a part of your journey. I have played on Grammy-nominated albums, Grammy-awarded albums, then 10 years ago 'Jal' happened. All of that has happened already so we know that there is pressure involved. What is important to keep our focus on the work and it has to be good. What important is to keep doing the work with the same amount of passion and try to make it stand out. The work I do is not atypical, it is different. I try to keep growing as an artist and when these kinds of incidents happen, you feel validated. We knew we wad done good work but to be validated in both the categories simultaneously is big. It encourages me to do better work.

2) What inspired you to do the music for 'Band Of Maharajas'?

Everything about this film is inspirational. It's movie about music and it's the core of this film. When Girish vai narrated this film to me years back I was super excited. I saw a huge opportunity to do something very interesting with the sound scape. Interestingly, I have also acted in this film. Girish Malik is a man who is obsessed with music apart from filmmaking. I did the role of a percussionist, he has a history and his son is also a percussionist. This film has an interesting premise which allows one to make a song like 'Ishq Walla Daku'. It's different kind of a song. When you hear it you will understand what I am talking about.

3) Your and Girish Malik's partnership goes way back. Whenever you two have collaborate, the outcome has always been magical. Has there ever been any creative conflict between you two?

It has never been a conflict there has certainly been differences which we have had long discussions about and we have often reworked scenes because somebody wanted something which the other person didn't agree with and then going back and forth with it. Creative process mein this is a must. If it doesn't happen then you must know there is something wrong. What is great about the relationship is that we both gie each other that space and respect. It's almost 15 years that we have been working together.

5) Acting or composing music, which one do you find more difficult?

It's not about what is difficult but it's about which one I enjoy. I had done a Bengali film some 20 years back titled 'Hothat Neerar Jonno' and after that I'd refused 35 films because it was not my passion. I am a music composer and it's my happy zone.

6) Do you think it's your best work?

Every artist would tell you they hope that the best is yet to come. At the end of the day you don't wanna be at the peak and then go down. There has to be more to come. Going by the track record, I would say that it is yet to come because I think I am just getting there at the top of my game.