Move over, Bollywood legends, there’s a new star in town—and he’s not just riding on the coattails of his famous surname. Raahul Jatin, son of the iconic composer Jatin Pandit, is stepping into the spotlight with a style that’s unmistakably his own. Sure, he’s got the rich musical heritage of the Pandit dynasty flowing through his veins, but Raahul’s here to show the world that he’s more than just his father’s son.
Raahul is quickly becoming a rising star in the music industry, celebrated for his ability to blend the best of both worlds: contemporary beats with the soulful echoes of tradition. He’s mastered the art of crafting tunes that feel fresh yet familiar, a bridge between the old-school charm of Bollywood and the modern sounds that today’s diverse audiences crave.
What sets Raahul apart? It’s his uncanny knack for mixing emotive lyrics with melodies that stick in your head long after the song’s over. Whether he’s serenading you with a heart-melting love ballad, pumping up the energy with a pop anthem, or weaving in classical influences that nod to his musical roots, Raahul’s performances are always dripping with passion and sincerity. It’s no wonder his music resonates across generations—he’s got the magic touch that speaks to everyone.
And then there’s his latest single, ‘Shopping’. This track isn’t just another tune; it’s Raahul pushing his creative boundaries, exploring new sounds, and even tackling some tricky linguistic challenges along the way. In a candid chat with News18 Showsha, Raahul opened up about what inspired ‘Shopping’, his creative process, and how he’s blending the lessons from his father with his own unique vision for the future.
The Inspiration Behind ‘Shopping’
Q: What inspired you to create ‘Shopping,’ and how did the concept of the song come about?
Raahul Jatin: I wanted to explore something fresh and very different from whatever I had done in the past. So we got to ideating around a few storylines. This one stuck with me as it felt very real and rooted. The message that came through also felt very honest. It is about accepting each other’s flaws and sticking by, making a relationship work despite shortcomings. Once the concept works, then everything falls into place. We got the lyrics written, and then the music composition and production came by.
Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Q: The song explores the dynamics of a young married couple’s relationship. Can you elaborate on the story you wanted to tell?
Raahul Jatin: It’s a simple slice-of-life story. It’s about making mistakes and forgiveness. If you hold onto grudges, it will only add to bitterness, but if you can overlook each other’s shortcomings and move on, life will always get better, especially when two people love and care for each other. I believe it is an important aspect of a relationship. After all, to err is human.
Reflecting Real-Life Relationships
Q: How do you think your song reflects the ups and downs of real-life relationships?
Raahul Jatin: It captures the relationship dynamics of a young couple. The man has ignored a couple of shopping dates that he had committed to his wife, and out of spite, she maxes out his credit cards. For cinematic purposes, it is of course exaggerated, but the underlying message is of companionship, making mistakes, and forgiveness, which is a reflection of real-life relationships. We are often thrown into difficult spots with the one we love the most, and how we navigate these challenges is what makes life interesting.”
The Creative Process
Q: Can you walk us through your creative process for ‘Shopping,’ from the initial melody to the final mix?
Raahul Jatin: I don’t have a fixed set-in-stone process. It, however, begins with the core idea or storyline, and then I build around that bit by bit. The lyrics usually follow the idea. For ‘Shopping’, I did the same. Language, however, was not pre-determined. I always wanted to try Punjabi. The language itself is upbeat and works for fast-paced numbers. ‘Shopping’ came through as a racy yet melodious song, so I felt it would be a great fit. It does better than Hindi for upbeat songs, to my mind. Once the base was set—the storyline was done—I started working on the composition while the lyrics were being written. Then, after putting this together, I worked on the music production, building on the other layers, and worked on my pronunciation and diction as I don’t speak Punjabi. I fine-tuned everything.
Navigating the Language Challenge
Q: You mentioned the challenge of singing in Punjabi despite not speaking the language. How did you navigate this, and what was the most rewarding part of this experience?
Raahul Jatin: The biggest challenge was to learn the lines, the diction, and pronunciation. When you don’t speak a language, it’s difficult to express in that language, right? After all, singing is a form of expression. My lyricist guided me with the pronunciation. I also discussed it with my friends who speak the language. A few rounds of rehearsal, and then I was sorted. Also, thanks to Bollywood, we get to hear a lot of Punjabi, so it’s not that I have zero exposure to the language.
Choosing Punjabi for ‘Shopping’
Q: What made you choose Punjabi as the language for this upbeat, peppy number? How do you feel it added to the song’s overall energy?
Raahul Jatin: I have always felt that Punjabi is a high-energy language. It’s sweet yet pulsating in its own way, and certain kinds of music do much better in Punjabi, even better than Hindi. I had a gifted writer on board, so we got the lyrics on point. I genuinely felt this song would be far more heartfelt if it’s in Punjabi. So in a way, yes, the language truly added to the peppiness of it.
Fun Moments During Creation
Q: You joked about never canceling a shopping date with your future wife after this song. Can you share any other fun anecdotes from the creation of ‘Shopping’?
Raahul Jatin: Oh, I said that in jest. Well, the song was so peppy that our energy levels were really high while shooting the video—it was a lot of fun. The last shot, when I sing without the support of music and put a cap out to collect money, as if I’m broke and begging, you won’t believe—one or two people actually came and put in a few cents! We broke into instant laughter and refunded the money.
Balancing Heritage with Contemporary Sounds
Q: How do you balance your musical influences and heritage with contemporary trends to create your unique sound?
Raahul Jatin: I don’t think I try to balance anything. I just follow my heart when it comes to music. Whatever side of me comes out strong at any given point is what I go with. It’s difficult to put your foundation and building blocks into separate compartments. After a point, it’s like mixing paints—it becomes homogenous.
Influence of His Father, Jatin Pandit
Q: Growing up as the son of renowned composer Jatin Pandit, how has his influence shaped your musical journey?
Raahul Jatin: He is my Guru. Whatever I am today, I owe it to my dad. He taught me music and held my hand through my journey of creating music. He is my sounding board and biggest critic. It is very difficult to please him, and he has very high standards, so I think he has raised the bar for me, and I’m extremely grateful for that.
Lessons from a Music Legend
Q: What are some key lessons or advice you’ve received from your father that you apply to your music career?
Raahul Jatin: The biggest lessons would be dedication, hard work, and consistency. I know it may sound like a cliché, but this is the base. To make a great song, millions of options are available, and to decide which option to go for or the best decision-making process is trial and error. The more you try, the harder you work, the better you can narrow down on what is working. The reason why he has been this successful is really the hard work he has put in, the number of hours he would give to perfect a song, the dedication he brought to the table. So I try my best to imbibe these qualities and give it my all when I work on a song.”
The Joy of Acting in Music Videos
Q: You’ve mentioned enjoying performing in your music videos. How does acting enhance your connection to the music and the audience?
Raahul Jatin: I enjoy acting. It brings the whole piece to a logical conclusion. There is always a story in my songs, and it’s always good to have those stories portrayed on screen. I think I have grown up on ‘playback,’ and stories have become a part of my life as much as music. In many ways, it’s inseparable in my head. When I hum a tune in my head, I also get visuals of it.
Memorable Moments While Shooting
Q: Can you share any memorable moments or challenges you faced while shooting the music video for ‘Shopping’ in the picturesque locations of California?
Raahul Jatin: I have family living in the US, so I have shot quite a bit in that country. It’s really quite hassle-free, and the crew is very supportive. It started during the pandemic, when I was stuck in the US, and when the regulations relaxed a bit, I started composing and shooting there. I can’t single out memorable moments—there are just too many. People are very professional and helpful, I must say.
The Complete Experience of Making Music Videos
Q: What do you enjoy most about making music videos?
Raahul Jatin: The acting part, hands down. I love dancing also. So, when I record the songs, I get these visuals of me performing to these songs, and then when we get to shooting, it stays with me. I feel the cycle of expression has come to a complete fruition when the video gets done. My music is my self-expression, and I would like to continue featuring in them.
Future Plans and Language Exploration
Q: Can we expect more Punjabi tracks from you in the future, or are there other languages and genres you’re eager to explore?
Raahul Jatin: Of course, yes. I love language, and like I mentioned, certain genres do much better in Punjabi, so I would like to explore more of it. I have dabbled with many genres, even spiritual with my dad. I would like to explore a bit more in that domain. As for other languages, yes, why not? Perhaps a foreign language completely someday. I have tried Gujarati also in the past, but that is a part of my lineage.
Exciting Upcoming Projects
Q: What upcoming projects or collaborations are you most excited about?
Raahul Jatin: There is a monsoon song which I want to release by the end of the month and two more songs that I’m really excited about. These two should also come up this year. I don’t want to give away too much because it’s all still under production.
Evolving as an Artist
Q: How do you see your music evolving in the next few years? Are there specific goals or milestones you aim to achieve?
Raahul Jatin: I don’t have any reference or framework of a direction to take. Whatever inspires me is what I will be working on, so it’s quite fluid in that sense. All I know is that I need to get better at my craft—be it singing, composing, writing, or music production. Maybe singing for a big film or cracking maybe 1 billion views. Something monumental perhaps.
Aspirations in Bollywood
Q: Considering your father was one of the most prominent Bollywood music composers of his time, do you have aspirations to pursue that in the coming times? If yes, which directors would you like to work with?
Raahul Jatin: Oh, certainly yes. If I get the opportunity, I would definitely try my hand at Bollywood. In fact, multiple talks are on, and you will get to know when something works out. As for directors, there is a huge wish list. Mohit Suri has a great taste in music, perhaps Ayan Mukerji, Farhan Akhtar is fabulous. Also, Yashraj and Dharma—both these production houses are known for great music, so yes, perhaps be a part of their repertoire.
The Message Behind ‘Shopping’
?Q: What message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from your music, particularly with ‘Shopping’?
Raahul Jatin: Any artist would want appreciation and more and more audiences to be added to his universe. As for ‘Shopping’, the only message to really convey is forgiveness and not to hold grudges. Life is short, after all.
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Raahul Jatin is on a mission to carve out his own niche in the music world, and with each new release, he’s proving that he’s not just following in his father’s footsteps—he’s paving a new path all his own. So, keep an ear out, because this is one journey you’ll definitely want to be part of.
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