Pratik Kundu is currently the youngest music director in the Bengali film industry. The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with the talented young musician in an exclusive conversation. Excerpts..

How did you begin your musical journey?

Pratik Kundu- I have never been taught traditional music. My mother used to sing so well and from there I started to like music. Then gradually I continued to write my feelings in broken pieces and in the format of songs. I remember playing the bench at school and singing my own songs. (laughs out loud)

However, gradually my attraction towards music became stronger. I studied, but my mind and involvement were more towards music. Then I started doing YouTube. I got connected with The Bong Studio. Then through my channel and The Bong Studio, with an increase in my exposure, I have been able to enter this Bengali film industry today.

Tell us how you bagged this song in the film, SOS Kolkata. Also, share your experience of singing the song.

Pratik Kundu- This is the first big film of my life. I joined this project at the very last moment. After the Muhurat of this film, I came to know about this film. Then I had a talk with Anshu da, the director of this film. I made two songs, which everyone took very well. I am very lucky that everyone liked these songs in one chance and these were selected within 5 days.

The experience was very good. I had the opportunity to work with many great artists such as Farhad Bhiwandiwala , Eric Pillai, Anwesha Di, and so on.

What are your upcoming projects?

Pratik Kundu- I have written two songs for Jeet Sir’s Baazi movie, which are being composed by Jeet Ganguly Sir. I am directing the music and background score of another upcoming film called Pratidwandi. There is also some work going on that I can’t name right now, but I’ll let you know later.

You are the youngest music director in this industry. Do you feel stressed or pressurized due to the presence of musical stalwarts around you?

Pratik Kundu- I consider myself very lucky to have this opportunity. I don’t feel stressed. I know everyone around me is my teacher. I learn something from everyone every day. But yes, I always keep in mind that in order to survive in this

industry, I have to do good work with consistency.

How did you become interested in rapping?

Pratik Kundu- Raftar Sir is my idol. Rap has always been a favorite field of mine. But when I heard “Swag Mera Desi”, I felt a lot of interest in this field and I got seriously involved with rap.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Pratik Kundu- I always love to stay motivated. Without setting any big goals at first, I set small goals, and achieve them. I am not worried about where I will be, whether I will be before or after, or whether I will be at a height after 5 years. I just know, I have to make good music, need to create beautiful

work. I know that if you make good music, the audience will take it well. And the audience is all to me.

We hope that the young music director is able to achieve that dream in the future.

Priyanka Dutta