Sohail Sen
Encyclopedia
Sohail Sen 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. Later, he gained fame as a Hindi film composer, with his acclaimed work in What's Your Raashee?
(2009).
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. He then decided to assist his father for nine years to fine tune his skills as a film composer.
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?
. Initially he wanted his all time favourite composer A. R. Rahman
to compose for the film, but he couldn’t do it, because he wanted to compose for Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire
instead. So, he started looking for someone who is capable and can contribute all his time for composing in his film alone. Sen who 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.
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.
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. Bollywood Hungama
quoted the album as "interestingly done" and "an experience not to be missed". BBC Music
praised Sen's work and quoted him as "Sen shows he can successfully compete with the best in Bollywood". Besides composing the soundtrack and the film score, Sen even sang most of the songs in the film.
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. The soundtrack of which met with positive critical responses.
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. Recently, 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.
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
. He debuted as a film composer with the Hindi film Sirf (2008), which went majorly
unnoticed. Later, he gained fame as a Hindi film composer, with his acclaimed work in What's Your Raashee?
What's Your Raashee?
What's Your Raashee? is a Hindi film directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar. The movie is based on the Doordarshan TV serial Mr...
(2009).
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.Sen started learning music at the age of six. He learnt to play the tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
as a child, and then went on to learn various musical instruments including the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and percussion and rhythm
Rhythm
Rhythm may be generally defined as a "movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions." This general meaning of regular recurrence or pattern in time may be applied to a wide variety of cyclical natural phenomena having a periodicity or...
instruments. He learnt classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
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. He then decided to assist his father for nine years to fine tune his skills as a film composer.
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), which also got delayed and the music went unnoticed.In 2009, he got a turning point, in his career as a film composer, when director Ashutosh Gowariker
Ashutosh Gowariker
Ashutosh Gowariker is an Indian film director, actor, writer and producer. He is known for directing the films Lagaan , Swades , Jodhaa Akbar , What's Your Raashee and Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey...
approached him for his film What's Your Raashee?
What's Your Raashee?
What's Your Raashee? is a Hindi film directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar. The movie is based on the Doordarshan TV serial Mr...
. Initially he wanted his all time favourite composer A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
to compose for the film, but he couldn’t do it, because he wanted to compose for Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog Millionaire is a 2008 British epic romantic drama adventure film directed by Danny Boyle, written by Simon Beaufoy, and co-directed in India by Loveleen Tandan. It is an adaptation of the novel Q & A by Indian author and diplomat Vikas Swarup...
instead. So, he started looking for someone who is capable and can contribute all his time for composing in his film alone. Sen who 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.
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.
The soundtrack
What's Your Raashee? (soundtrack)
What's Your Raashee? is the soundtrack album to the 2009 Romantic comedy film of the same name, composed by Sohail Sen. The lyrics are penned by Javed Akhtar. The soundtrack album was released by Sony Music on 18 August 2009.-Development:...
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. Bollywood Hungama
Bollywood Hungama
Bollywood Hungama is a leading Bollywood entertainment website, owned by hungama.com....
quoted the album as "interestingly done" and "an experience not to be missed". BBC Music
BBC Music
BBC Music is a team working in the department of Audio and Music Interactive at the BBC. Responsible for the BBC Music website - the portal site to music content across the BBC website....
praised Sen's work and quoted him as "Sen shows he can successfully compete with the best in Bollywood". Besides composing the soundtrack and the film score, Sen even sang most of the songs in the film.
In 2010, director Ashutosh Gowariker roped him again, for his period piece
Period piece
-Setting:In the performing arts, a period piece is a work set in a particular era. This informal term covers all countries, all periods and all genres...
film Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey
Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey
Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey is a Hindi period piece film directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, starring Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles. It is based on the book Do And Die by Manini Chatterjee, based on the Chittagong Uprising of 1930. The film has been shot mostly in Goa along...
, based on the Chittagong Uprising
Chittagong armoury raid
The Chittagong armoury raid was an attempt on April 18, 1930 to raid the armoury of police and auxiliary forces from the Chittagong armoury in Bengal province of British India, by armed revolutionaries led by Surya Sen....
of 1930. The soundtrack of which met with positive critical responses.
In 2011, he has had a major release with a top banner Yash Raj Films
Yash Raj Films
Yash Raj Films is an Indian Entertainment company set up by Yash Chopra, an Indian film director and producer who is considered an entertainment mogul in India.-Initial years:...
– Mere Brother Ki Dulhan
Mere Brother Ki Dulhan
Mere Brother Ki Dulhan , also known by the abbreviated form MBKD, is a Bollywood romantic comedy film that marks the writing and directing debut of Ali Abbas Zafar and stars Imran Khan, Katrina Kaif and Ali Zafar in the lead roles. Produced and distributed by Yash Raj Films. The official theatrical...
, the music of which got appreciation from both critics and masses. The songs "Dhunki", "Isq Risk" and title track were chartbusters. Recently, he replaced Pritam
Pritam
Pritam Chakraborty , better known as Pritam is a music director and composer from Kolkata who currently works in Bollywood, Mumbai.- Early life :...
as the music director for Salman Khan
Salman Khan
Salman Khan is an Indian film actor. He has starred in more than 80 Hindi films.Khan, who made his acting debut with a minor role in the drama Biwi Ho To Aisi with Rekha in a lead role, had his first commercial success with the blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya , for which he won a Filmfare Award for...
's next film Ek Tha Tiger
Ek Tha Tiger
Ek Tha Tiger is an upcoming Hindi language romantic thriller. The film will be produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by Kabir Khan. This will be his third collaboration with the banner after Kabul Express and New York . Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif were confirmed to play the lead roles at a...
, since Pritam had date problems with both Yash Raj projects Ek Tha Tiger and Dhoom 3.
As music director
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Sirf | Collaborated with Shibani Kashyap Shibani Kashyap Shibani Kashyap is an India female singer, who is actively working in Bollywood film Industry, Some of her songs are very popular like Sajna Aaa Bhi Ja from movie Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II, she has anchored a Singer Hunt Show named Bathroom Singer.... |
| 2009 | The Murderer | |
| 2009 | What's Your Raashee? What's Your Raashee? What's Your Raashee? is a Hindi film directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar. The movie is based on the Doordarshan TV serial Mr... |
Nominated, Stardust Awards Stardust Awards The Stardust Awards is an award ceremony for Hindi movies, which congratulate the superstars of the new generation who are making an impact on the future. It is sponsored by Stardust magazine.- Background :... for Standout Performance by a Music Director |
| 2010 | Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey is a Hindi period piece film directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, starring Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles. It is based on the book Do And Die by Manini Chatterjee, based on the Chittagong Uprising of 1930. The film has been shot mostly in Goa along... |
Nominated, Stardust Awards Stardust Awards The Stardust Awards is an award ceremony for Hindi movies, which congratulate the superstars of the new generation who are making an impact on the future. It is sponsored by Stardust magazine.- Background :... for New Musical Sensation - Male Nominated, Stardust Awards Stardust Awards The Stardust Awards is an award ceremony for Hindi movies, which congratulate the superstars of the new generation who are making an impact on the future. It is sponsored by Stardust magazine.- Background :... for Standout Performance by a Music Director |
| 2011 | Mere Brother Ki Dulhan Mere Brother Ki Dulhan Mere Brother Ki Dulhan , also known by the abbreviated form MBKD, is a Bollywood romantic comedy film that marks the writing and directing debut of Ali Abbas Zafar and stars Imran Khan, Katrina Kaif and Ali Zafar in the lead roles. Produced and distributed by Yash Raj Films. The official theatrical... |
|
| 2012 | Ek Tha Tiger Ek Tha Tiger Ek Tha Tiger is an upcoming Hindi language romantic thriller. The film will be produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by Kabir Khan. This will be his third collaboration with the banner after Kabul Express and New York . Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif were confirmed to play the lead roles at a... |
Filming |
As playback singer
| Year | Song Title | Film Title | Co-Singer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "Tujhpe Fida" | Sirf | Tarannum Mallik |
| 2009 | "What's Your Raashee? - Pal Pal Dil Jisko Dhoonde" | What's Your Raashee? What's Your Raashee? What's Your Raashee? is a Hindi film directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar. The movie is based on the Doordarshan TV serial Mr... |
Solo |
| "Jao Na" | Tarannum Mallik | ||
| "Bikhri Bikhri" | Marianne D'Cruz | ||
| "Sau Janam" | Udit Narayan Udit Narayan -Career:King of melody, Udit Narayan Jha was born on 1 December, 1955 in a village called Bhardaha in the Saptari district , Nepal. His father was Hare Krishna Jha and his mother was Bhuwaneshwari Devi.Narayan studied at P.B... , Madhushree Madhushree Madhushree is an Indian singer, who sings in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Kannada films. A familiar voice in A. R. Rahman's compositions, Madhushree hails from a musically inclined family, having previously been trained in classical music... |
||
| "Pyaari Pyaari" | Alka Yagnik Alka Yagnik Alka Yagnik is an Indian singer who is ranked among the best Hindi playback singers of all time. She is a seven-time winner of the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award as well as a two-time recipient of the prestigious National Film Awards... |
||
| "Su Chhe" | Bela Shende Bela Shende Bela Shende is an Indian playback singer. She performed several songs in Bollywood and regional films. 'Su Che' from the film What's Your Raashee?, 'Aata Wajle Ki Baara' and 'Apsara Aali' from Natarang are some of her hits.... |
||
| "Salone Kya" | Tarannum Mallik | ||
| "Dhadkan Dhadkan" | |||
| "What's Your Raashee? - Chehre Jo Dekhe Hain" | Solo | ||
| 2010 | "Yeh Des Hai Mera" | Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey is a Hindi period piece film directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, starring Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles. It is based on the book Do And Die by Manini Chatterjee, based on the Chittagong Uprising of 1930. The film has been shot mostly in Goa along... |
Solo |
| "Sapne Saloney" | Pamela Jain Pamela Jain -Early years:Jain was born to a Bengali family. Both her parents, Shri Kamelesh Basu and Smt. Shakuntala Basu, inspired her to learn Classical music. She is the grand daughter of famous Bengali novelist, Shri Bimal Mitra of Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam fame... |