Aashish Rego is hitting the right notes

Aashish Rego is one man who walks, talks, eats, and sleeps music. Well, he has studied Microbiology and Biochemistry and later went on to major in Law, but the master of rhythms says that education has always been a “hobby” for him. Many might wonder who he is. There is no offense in it as the ways of the entertainment industry is quite weird. There are not only stars and actors, but many other creative minds who work in unison, pool in talent and weave magic on TV and the silver screen that get etched in the minds of viewers forever. Aashish is a musician who composes background scores for TV shows and songs and musical pieces for movies. He has composed scores for shows like Kitty Party, Dhadkan, Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat, Crime Patrol, Kaagar and others. Currently, he is putting the notes together for Balika Vadhu, Laado, Diya Aur Baati Hum, Haar Jeet, etc. “Music has always been the driving force in me. Yes, I have studied Law but it was part of my hobby. Yes, law has helped me a lot in my profession. Musicians keep composing but they don’t get the money as they are not aware of the copyright laws. That is one department my law degree has taken care of,” smiles Aashish. Furthermore, Aashish also describes the creative process of composing a background score for a show. “The makers discuss the plot of the show and primary traits of each character. There are protagonists, antagonists, comic characters, parents, children and others. We have to compose unique pieces for each character that will bifurcate one from other and make them recognizable.” So is the work too difficult? “It’s not about the work being difficult but we keep facing a menace called ‘time constraints.’ Out of India, a composer gets say four days to compose a background score for a show, but here we get only four hours. It’s the nature of the industry over here. And there are of course, compromises that we have to make due to the demands of the producers and channels. I think, as a composer, we need more freedom to spread our wings. It’s like why keep a dog and bark yourself," informs Aashish. Fair enough. We understand. Every artist needs space and leisure to be more creative. But out of all the scores he has composed for shows till now, which is the one that is very close to your heart? “Hmm…let me see. I will say Balika Vadhu. The makers (Sphere Origins) have given me lot of freedom to experiment and compose as per my will,” divulges the composer. And it’s not only about TV shows. Aashish has also composed numbers for movies like Always Kabhi Kabhi, Pak Pak Pakak (Marathi movie), Anuranan (Bengali movie), and others. “Film music is different from television. In films, you get more space. But again, a background score for Shaitan is different from Kal Ho Naa Ho. One is off beat and unique and the other is more commercial,” says Aashish, and he goes on to say, “Be it TV or films, I always like to compose unique and off beat tracks.” Finally, he says ciao by sharing his future plans, “I want to launch my own label Garesala. It basically means to keep on singing forever and ever. I want to give opportunities to those who are talented and creative but fail to shine due to the commercial demands of the industry.”