My first major film album Anwar was deeply inspired by Lucknow’s culture: Mithoon Sharma

Mithoon Sharma is a name synonymous with soulful Bollywood music. With hit tracks like Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2, he has become the voice of countless love stories. Recently, the celebrated composer, lyricist, and singer visited the city to receive an award. During our conversation, he reflected on his decades-old musical journey, from his first Bollywood film album Anwar, inspired by Lucknow’s culture—to his views on the evolving music industry, AI’s role in creativity, and how he remains unshaken by the stereotype of being a ‘love song’ composer.When asked about his connection to Lucknow, a city that has had a profound impact on his career, he reflects, “The most important connection I have with Lucknow is that my almost first film Anwar was heavily inspired by the culture of Lucknow. The song Maula Mere Maula was inspired by the rhythm and fabric of the city, and that became the heartbeat of the song. When the director briefed me, he told me about the essence of Lucknow’s tehzeeb. That song became very popular, and it still plays in my concerts. That gift of Lucknow is something I’ll never forget.”With artificial intelligence (AI) taking over most aspects of our lives, including music, Mithoon sees it not as a threat, but as an opportunity. “A true artist, who understands the discipline of music, can never be threatened by these things. These trends and fads are temporary things, but our history of music is more than 100 years old—it won’t get affected.” For him, music is not just about trends or tools but about the emotional connection and the human spirit that it carries. “We come from a culture where it’s believed that when a raga is sung, the weather changes. If we undermine the human root of these things, we shouldn’t even doubt it. AI should be used to improve art, but it should never replace the human essence and contribution.”Throughout his career, the composer of songs like Phir Bhi Tumko Chaahunga, Sanam Re, Tujhe Kitna Chahne Lage, Woh Lamhe-Woh Baatein, when asked how he maintains his integrity when it comes to commercial music projects, he shares that his approach to music creation in the film industry is rooted in collaboration. “When we talk about film music, it’s a collaboration. There is no place for ego. It’s a union of two people, like Raj Kapoor and Shankar-Jaikishan, AR Rahman and Mani Ratnam. I’ve had such experiences with Mohit Suri too, like Zeher and Aashiqui 2. If there is anything in a song that is not acceptable to you, you either convince the other person or get convinced yourself. The decision should always be for the betterment of the song. I don’t allow trends or figures in my studio. If a director tells me that a voice or line is not having an essence, I am open to working on it! However, if they want it to be changed for commercial reasons, that’s something I stand against.”On the topic of stereotypes and he being dubbed a mostly love-song composer, Mithoon is refreshingly candid. “I don’t really pay much heed to these things. If people associate me with heartbreak songs, I don’t mind. In fact, I celebrate it. Music is powerful and it can bring about a revolution, and can work as a cure in relationships. I know of a couple who were getting divorced but later gave their relationship another chance after listening to my song, Kuch Is Tarah. So I don’t see it as a stigma, but as something powerful and beautiful.”Finally, when asked if there’s a song that deeply connects to his own personal experience, he shares a heartwarming story behind one of his tracks. “I see stories all around me. An artist can be born from anywhere. There are many songs that I have written looking at the lives of other people, and they were big hits. However, one song that comes to mind is Koi Mujhko Yu Mila Hai. I wrote it after observing a friend’s life. When he got married, there was a beautiful thehraav in his life. I drew inspiration from that and wrote the song.”-Amina Ashraf