Mithoon talks ‘Master of Melody,’ reuniting with Mohit Suri, and why he never uses a song bank

Known for keeping a low profile, Mithoon lets his music do most of the talking. “Music has always been my way of communicating emotions,” he says. In an exclusive conversation with CNBC-TV18, the composer behind some of Hindi cinema’s most emotionally resonant songs opened up about his journey, his new independent album Master of Melody, and a much-awaited reunion with long-time collaborator Mohit Suri for a romantic drama under Yash Raj Films.Mithoon’s connection with music wasn’t incidental. “Very early in my life, I had made up my mind that I wanted to be a film music composer,” he says.Surrounded by music through his father, renowned arranger Naresh Sharma, and inspired by the discipline of his grandfather and uncle Pyarelal (of Laxmikant-Pyarelal fame), Mithoon was shaped by an ecosystem where melody was as vital as method. That upbringing, he says, instilled not just passion but purpose.”If one has to excel in any particular field, discipline is a must. Without that, passion and talent can wither away.”This same sincerity flows into Master of Melody, his new EP with T-Series. Unlike film compositions tied to scripts and character arcs, this project gave him “freedom to explore.”Also Read: OTT releases this week: Ground Zero, Detective Sherdil, Prince and Family and more”Since it is not restrained by a film script or characters, I have the freedom to explore. There are some goodies lined up on that one,” he says.While the album reflects his two-decade-long journey in the industry, he’s clear that it isn’t a diary set to tune.”Every track is special to me so it is not cathartic or a reflection of any personal stories of mine,” he tells.It’s impossible to talk about Mithoon without revisiting Tum Hi Ho, the 2013 song that became a national obsession and altered the soundscape of Bollywood romance. But Mithoon’s memory of it is strikingly humble.”When I sit down to create something, it is not with the intention that it will be a huge hit or a chartbuster… I remain committed and genuine to the filmmaker who has entrusted me with the job,” he says.”Mohit [Suri] and I were very sincere in our approach to Tum Hi Ho. But when it exploded the way it did, it was gratifying.”Also Read: Theatre releases this week: The Phoenician Scheme, Sitaare Zameen Par and moreHis partnership with director Mohit Suri has yielded iconic soundtracks over the years, including Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain. “Mohit will always remain special,” Mithoon says. “We both started our journey together as youngsters and I guess a certain creative bond developed which has sustained to this date.”They’re reuniting for Dhun, a romantic drama produced by Yash Raj Films and slated for a July release.”The protagonist is a musician,” he reveals. “In Dhun, I’ve tried to maintain the essence of a very organic sound blending in with an authentic voice… not necessarily the traditional Hindi cinema soundscape.”Mithoon is also known for launching voices that would go on to define a generation — Atif Aslam, Arijit Singh, Shilpa Rao, Jubin Nautiyal, and more.So, what does he look for in a singer? “A singer’s voice should be able to touch an emotional chord somewhere in a listener’s heart,” he says. “Being pitch perfect, having amazing knowledge of genres… all that are great assets. But at the end of the day, the singer needs to connect with the listener.”Having once collaborated with Malaysian singer Ning Baizura and earned international credit for the use of his Sanam Re melody in CJ’s Whoopty, Mithoon remains optimistic about India’s musical footprint globally.Also Read: Tom Cruise to receive honorary Oscar at 2025 Governors Awards: What it means”Cross-border collabs are long overdue,” he says. “We are bursting with talent and energy in our country, and the world needs to hear more of us. Fantastic times for us ahead.”What remains unchanged through his decades-long career is his process.”It has to begin with the script,” Mithoon insists. “I take a complete narration and try to dive into the character/s, situation and from there develops the soundscape. I do not work with a song bank… I have never related to that.”It’s this bespoke, story-first approach that explains why Mithoon’s music doesn’t just play in the background; it breathes with the characters, often becoming the pulse of the film.And in an industry where songs are often engineered for virality, Mithoon still composes for the moment, for the mood, for the message. “At the end of the day,” he reminds us, “music is all about emotion.”Also Read: Justin Bieber admits having anger issues: I am broken

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