'Shah Rukh Khan has sung in DON' - Shankar-Eshan-Loy

After 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna', No.1 music trio, Shankar - Ehsaan - Loy are ready to 'hit' again with the super-hit soundtrack of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Don', which is out in the markets:

'Don' was an eagerly awaited soundtrack. Now that it's out, how are you feeling?

We are very excited because we've worked very hard on 'Don'. It's not easy especially when the previous 'Don' with Mr. Bachchan has been such a classic. We had a lot to live up to and judging by the fantastic response we've received to the album, our efforts have paid off.

What would you say is the defining characteristic of the music of 'Don'?

It's very contemporary, stylish and racy. We have taken care to maintain the essence of the old 'Don'. We have retained and redone two of the old songs - 'Khaike Paan Banaraswala' and 'Yeh Mera Dil', sung by Udit Narayan & Shah Rukh Khan and Sunidhi Chauhan respectively. We've composed three new tracks.

While reworking the original tracks how much work went into keeping the sound similar to the old tracks but also modernising it at the same time?

To put it simply, we have retained the melody but changed the dressing besides adding surprise elements.

Give us an example?

In the 'Khaike Paan Banaraswala' song, Shah Rukh has sung an entire part! Listen to the album and you'll understand what we mean! There are many more surprises. We don't want to give them away in our interview!

Tell us about the other singers in the soundtrack of 'Don'?

There is a song called 'Mourya Re', sung by Shakar. That song is big in Mumbai because it is a Ganpati track. Then there is a track called 'Aaj Ki Raat', sung by Alisha, Mahalakshmi Iyer & Sonu Nigam. It has a very interesting club feel to it. We have a new title song, 'Main Hoon Don', by Shaan. You already know about 'Khaike Paan Banaraswala' and 'Yeh Mera Dil.' DJ Randolph has done a wonderful job of the title song of 'Don'. We have also made a dedication to the earlier Don title song. We have incorporated that in this track. Then there is a remix of the title song, which has been done by the Midival Punditz.

Which track in your opinion will be the most popular?

I can confidently say that all of them will become huge. Even in the past, our albums have worked in totality rather than because of one or two tracks - 'Dil Chahta Hai', 'Kal Ho Naa Ho', and more recently, 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' are examples and now there's 'Don'.

Have you seen the movie yet?

Yes, we have seen the film since we have done the background score as well!

Tell us something about the film, 'Don'.

All I can say is that it rocks!

[The soundtrack of 'Don' is available under the T-Series label. The movie releases worldwide on October 20. It is being distributed overseas by UTV.]

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DON - The Chase Begins Again