Suryansh Talks ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ and New Song ‘Ishq’

For his debut as a singer in Bollywood, artist Suryansh became part of the song “Baaja” which opens the Punjabi biopic Amar Singh Chamkila. The process started in 2022, as Suryansh recounts over a video call.

He was asked to come in to record at A.R. Rahman’s studio and record what became the hook of the song and then flown into Mumbai for the ending of the track. “I think a month later, I was asked to record the beginning of the song, which I didn’t know was part of ‘Baaja.’ I thought it was a different song,” Suryansh says with a laugh.

It was about seven months later that Suryansh heard his voice in the teaser for the movie based on the Punjabi singing star. “Imtiaz [Ali, director] sir, Irshad [Kamil, lyricist] sir and Rahman sir were there at the recording so it was quite fun, looking at them talking to each other, discussing numerous ideas, or [saying] ‘This word can come from here, but we have to research if this word was in use at that time.’”

Usually once an artist is attached to a film project, they tend to find a bit of a following for their independent music and Suryansh says that’s been the case for him. In April, he released “Ishq,” a lush, dreamy pop song with singer Sireesha Bhagvatula. It’s been just over a year since Suryansh has traversed different styles, imbuing his production prowess as well as breathy vocals. Even though it was originally a small part for Bhagvatula, he pitched it to the singer and she eventually added much more to “Ishq.” He adds, “It does magic, her voice.”

If you consider “Chal Phir Wahin” as Suryansh’s solo debut as an artist in 2023, he’s released five songs so far including “Ishq” and among Hindi songs like “Tu Mera Hai” and “Aye Khuda,” there’s a Tamil song “Vaa Pogalam” with lyrics by Kritika Nelson. He explains the connection to South Indian languages like Tamil by talking about being part of film music for Tamil movies including Bigil in 2019. “I mean the music is so rich […] the audiences are really connected to music in such a way that they understand complex melodies. I have a reason to say that, because they have singing all kinds of complex melodies in their temples and folk songs,” he adds.

Up next, there are a couple of film projects in the works and independent songs. “[They have] a very different soundscape. I try to do something that works for me and it still sounds new,” Suryansh says.