Exclusive Premiere: Amartya Bobo Rahut’s Intriguing Song ‘Thikana’ Gets a Noir Video

Singer-composer Amartya Bobo Rahut lays out elements of early 2000s rock with clever electronic intricacies like turntablism in his new Hindi song “Thikana.” The track is accompanied by an animated music video which crosses into noir and mystery storytelling.

Rahut – who has had stints in Kolkata rock bands like Cactus, Shiva and The Fifth Dimension in the Nineties and then moved to Mumbai in 2001 – says “Thikana” was composed a few years ago but left unfinished. It’s perhaps what led to a “non-linear” song flow, the rock rhythms occasionally being interjected by blazing guitar work and ambient portions. Rahut, known for his work as composer in films such as Tumhari Sulu, says, “I basically wanted to make a track that would excite me without thinking of how it would fare commercially.”

The song is lyrically and visually centered around “the enchanting ways of a woman” and the protagonist who’s drawn to her. Rahut adds in a statement, “’Thikana’ talks about an unfiltered, undiluted, obsessive love story, where love is the final destination.”

On the recommendation of his wife — production designer Nidhi Rungta — Rahut teamed up with illustrators Amol Hirawdekar, Ajinkya Patekar and Ashu Kambli. The music video for “Thikana” invokes Sin City-style color palettes, a rock concert helmed by Rahut and more. Up next, Rahut turns to country bluegrass for a Punjabi duet with Rajnigandha Shekhawat, a Rajasthani and Marwari singer who has previously led Bollywood songs like “Tattoo” from Monsoon Shootout and others.

Watch the video for “Thikana” below.