Consider this: Bollywood, India's biggest Mumbai-based entertainment industry, churns out an average of 800 films a year. Add to this the regional film industries spread across the country's 28-and-growing states, and you have a veritable behemoth not rivalled anywhere else in the world.
Imagine then, the eco-system that needs to exist to feed this expanding enterprise, and you will perhaps come close to conceive just how difficult it would be to make it there.
Music directors Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani, more popularly known as Vishal-Shekhar, are but two of thousands who make up Bollywood. But the fact that they are one of the most in demand, who have composed some of the biggest hits in recent years, is by no means an easy feat.
The duo, performing for the first time this Saturday in Dubai, are responsible for some of 2011's big chart-busters including songs such as Chhamak Chhallo from RA.One and Ooh La La and Ishq Sufiana from The Dirty Picture.
Fans can expect "a lot of energy, a lot of fun" said the duo, in an interview with tabloid!.
Interestingly, Dadlani, who also fronts electro-band Pentagram, refused to be drawn into any discussion about the supposed two worlds he inhabits — one as a rock musician and the other as a music director for Bollywood. That Bollywood music has completely eclipsed the independent music industry in India, relegating it to near-extinction, has been well-documented.
Complaisant
His musical partner, Ravjiani, who is classically trained, was more complaisant.
"A lot of people have explained the reason for our success to our diverse background. But that's not true," he explains.
"Vishal can also compose a beautiful Indian classical song and I've tried my hand as some dance numbers which have become very popular. At the end of the day, anything can happen and inspiration can come from either of us and that is how we work so well together."
Vishal-Shekar first came into the limelight with the 2003 musical Jhankaar Beats. The film's success was widely credited to the soundtrack, which went on to win multiple awards, especially for the song Tu ashiqui hai, and threw the pair into musical big league. Major films and even bigger hits followed with soundtracks for films such as Dus (2005), Salaam Namaste (2005), Bluffmaster (2005), Om Shanti Om (2007), Dostana (2008), Anjaana Anjaani (2010) and of course, the music for RA.One and The Dirty Picture last year.
‘Just pray'
Ravjiani, a devout Hindu, credits God for his success.
"Yes, there is a formula for success: Just pray really hard," he said. "Whenever we take on a project, I ask God to send me a song. And it works… I'm telling you… whenever you want something really badly, just pray.
"There are no schools for music directors. It's not a technical job where you go and learn the tricks of the trade — you either have it or you don't. So the way I see it is, God chose us to be these kind of people. It's a gift from Him and we are just the couriers."
It must be hard though, I persist, to be carrying the responsibility of creating hit numbers for a film. Each film has a set number of songs and they sign on about four films a year.
"Vishal and I have a policy: We just have fun. We just try to have a good time," said Ravjiani. "That's how good music comes. Sometimes I could be driving to work and a song would come to me. Sometimes we'd be in a coffee shop. Anything can happen anywhere.
"But yes, sometimes when we are laying down the tracks, we can tell there is a spark about a certain song and the potential it has to become a big hit."
Over the years, music directors, who were in the past relegated in the background, have begun to appear from the shadows of the film's stars. Dadlani and Ravjiani also make regular television appearances, often appearing as judges in reality talent shows and touring the country and abroad, performing to packed audiences.
Music directors, said Ravjiani, have become stars in their own right.
"Many years back, no one knew how the music directors looked like. Now there are so many people who connect with us through our television shows and through social media," added Ravjiani, who tweets regularly.
"People now associate the hits with us and that makes our performances even more interesting and lively."
The Dubai performance on Saturday will feature some of the biggest hits from over the years, promised the singer and composer.
The pair is now putting the finishing touches on Kahaani, starring Vidya Balan, the Karan Johar-directed Student of the Year and a political thriller called Shanghai.
"I thank God every day for this journey I have been on... for making me a part of this fraternity and choosing me," said Ravjiani. "I mean Vishal and I met by chance while working in the same studio and it has been wonderful since."
In the same breath, when asked where he would like to be 10 years down the line, Ravjiani said: "I leave it to God. It's whatever He decides."
Don't miss it
Dubai Rocks 2012, featuring hit Bollywood music duo Vishal-Shekhar, is brought to you by Oberoi Middle East Events, the promoters responsible for bringing some of the biggest musicians from the subcontinent to our shores. Tickets for the concert on Saturday at the Madinat Jumeirah are available for Dh1,000 (Box), Dh500 (VVIP), Dh250 (VIP), Dh175 (Gallery) and Dh150 (Gold). Doors open 8.30pm, show starts 9.30pm. Call 050-6984599 for more.
