Bandish Bandits 2: Lyricist Alok Ranjan Srivastava reveals how he came onboard to pen songs Hichki 2.0 and Khaamakha for the show [EXCLUSIVE]

After the super success of the first instalment, the makers of web series Bandish Bandits are all set to treat fans with its season 2. Starring Ritwik Bhowmik, Shreya Chaudhry, Sheeba Chaddha, Atul Kulkarni and others, Bandish Bandists 2 is going to release on December 13 on Amazon Prime Video. There are high expectations from the musical drama as the first one served fans with heavy dose of romance and music. On November 21, the music of season 2 was launched and some of the songs have already become hits. We got in a chat with lyricist Alok Ranjan Srivastava who has penned songs Hichki 2.0 and Khaamakha for Bandish Bandits season 2. His previous projects include Kota factory, Modern Love: Mumbai, Faraaz and Ishqiyapa. He revealed how he came onboard Bandish Bandits 2 and much more. Check out the excerpts from the interview below:

How did the project come to you?

Our director, Anand Tiwari, had come across our independent album series Azaad Sangeet and had appreciated our work. When the pre-production for Bandish Bandits 2 began, his team reached out to us, and before we knew it, we were on board.

Bandish Bandits became a surprise hit and given that it is a musical drama, expectations of audiences are high when it comes to music. So what was your approach while making music for second season?

When we create music, we don't focus on the pressure or expectations. Instead, we pour our heart and soul into the songs. I believe that when honesty and love are present in the creative process, the art naturally resonates with the listeners.

Both the songs have different feel and vibe, how difficult or easy it was to curate the songs?

We love exploring different genres and styles, and we've been experimenting with various sounds for years. So, it was incredibly exciting to take on the challenge of creating such diverse songs. The script and the situations in the series also played a crucial role in helping us find the right creative zone.

How has your journey been so far?

I worked in a corporate job for six years before I decided to leave it all behind and pursue writing full-time five years ago. Initially, I wasn't sure if I'd find work in the industry, but over time, everything fell into place. Life as an artist is unpredictable and can feel overwhelming at times, but I've cherished every moment of it. I'm especially grateful for the incredible artists I've met along the way, particularly in the independent music scene.

What are the next projects you are working on? Any film projects in pipeline?

I'm currently working on three films, though I can't share much about them just yet. However, I'm really excited about these projects and hope to talk more about them soon. Apart from that, I'm focusing on my next independent album, which is nearly ready and slated for release this January.