‘I wish to celebrate Sushant’s legacy with this track’
Singer Shashaa Tirupati has a long standing association with composer AR Rahman. The singer has sung multiple songs for Rahman with their latest collaboration being for Dil Bechara’s album. And the song Khulke Jeene Ka, is special for Tirupati for a number of reasons.
“With Khulke Jeene Ka, there is an extended sentiment post the demise of its lead actor. Seeing Sushant (Singh Rajput) full of life swaying on screen to a melody you’ve sung creates a strange ambivalence of emotion in these oblique circumstances,” says Tirupati, adding that she always admired Rajput for his acting and academic skills.
“This song suddenly becomes one connecting-piece to him, considering I’d never personally known or met him.
As much as it hurts on one end, a new release is celebratory for everyone who’s put their time, patience and heart into the art. I wish to celebrate Sushant’s legacy with this track,” says Tirupati.
The singer, who has sung in films such as Ok Jaanu (2017) and a number of South Indian films, says that for her, every recording experience with Rahman is “like being in an exciting whirlwind of sorts”.
“Dil Bechara happened in a similar fashion. I was in Chennai at the time this song was being composed. I was called quite unexpectedly to the studio. I was given a brief of singing in a more conversational tone, no unessential dramatisation. I loved that because I strongly resonate with an “in your face” and very matter-of-fact kind of songwriting. I heard the melody and the multiple directions it was going in and the way it flew had me wake up the next morning with the song ringing in my head. Being someone who doesn’t remember a melody rendered for hours in the studio the moment I step out, I think that was quite an interesting situation,” she signs off.