Tushar Lall Talks Composing the Score for ‘Nadaaniyan’ Film

Composer and producer Tushar Lall. Photo: Courtesy of the artist

As far music score projects go, composer-producer Tushar Lall has gone from true crime documentaries to a Gen Z rom-com. Lall is the composer of the score to new Bollywood film Askaniyandirected by Shauna Gautam and produced by Karan Johar.

While the movie was widely panned by critics and had its share of brickbats from audiences, Lall was allowed to flex creatively on Askaniyanparticularly bringing his remix of the piece “Miss Briganza,” originally heard in iconic 1998 romance film Kuch kuch hota hai. “Repurposing such an iconic theme for the score felt both nostalgic and creatively exciting,” Lall says.

Lall’s work as background music composer for the film was aided by composer and producers such as Parvatish Pradeep, Japji Singh Valecha, Abhin Thomas and Nakul Chugh. Additional vocals were provided pop singer-songwriters Shriya And kareena dholakia.

Lall, who also worked on the music for 2024 comedy film Jo tera hai woh mera haisays he took on the “rare” opportunity to combine Gen Z motifs with orchestral elements for Askaniyan.  He says, “I found it to be a unique space to explore, and I had a lot of fun working on it. The project had the grandeur and big orchestral elements characteristic of a Dharma [Bollywood production house] film, while also incorporating remixes of the ‘Miss Briganza’ theme from Kuch kuch hota hai. Bringing these two worlds together was definitely challenging, but I believe we found a space where they could coexist seamlessly. It was an exciting and rewarding experience.”

His work with The Indian Jam Project continues and will serve up their rendition of music composed by Ludwig Göransson for Christopher Nolan’s epic Oppenheimer. Lall is also working on another film score that “revolves around themes of love and drama.” Lall adds, “It has a slightly sadder tone. It’s a heartfelt and sincere attempt at telling a beautiful story, though I can’t reveal much — if I share even a little, it might give away the entire film. But it’s definitely another exciting project in the making.”