Lalit Pandit's sons Rohansh and Abeer talk about their debut as composers in 'Alpha'

(From left) Rohansh and Abeer Pandit

One is on the drums, the other at the piano. Then, when they feel like they have exhausted an idea, they switch. For brothers Abeer and Rohansh Pandit, making music together is less about dividing roles and more about finding ways to keep their creative instincts moving. "If we're bored, we'll just switch up and he'll be on the drums and I'll play the piano," Abeer says, "That's how we stimulate our brains into thinking differently on different days."

The approach reflects the easy chemistry of two brothers who grew up learning music from their father, composer Lalit Pandit of the iconic Jatin-Lalit duo.

That chemistry is now being tested on a much larger stage. At 18 and 21 respectively, Abeer and Rohansh have made their feature-film debut as composers with Yash Raj Films' Alpha, becoming among the youngest composers to helm a major YRF production. "It's surreal to start our journey in such a manner," Rohansh says, "We're truly grateful for the opportunity to put our music out there with such a massive project as Alpha."

For Abeer, being part of YRF Talent and the Spy Universe has brought a similar mix of excitement and responsibility. "I'm really grateful to be given such responsibilities, at such a young age. But at the same time, it's exciting and we want to do it just for the love of music."

The brothers' relationship with music began long before Alpha, growing up surrounded by the sounds and traditions of the fifth-generation Mewati Gharana. For Rohansh, watching his father work became an education in itself. "The love for music honestly starts since childhood, just seeing dad do what he does best and being in the atmosphere, soaking it all in," he says, "I think that really started for Abeer and I, and I think that's just grown through the years."

Yet, their ambition is not simply to continue a family legacy. They are still trying to figure out what their own musical identity sounds like. "We want to find our own voice," Rohansh says, "We're pretty still at a nascent stage of our careers. We're still searching." That search takes them between film and independent music, two spaces they see as different but connected by one essential element.

"The main structure and core is melody and how much you love doing it," Abeer explains, "The film world and the independent world, they both need a different flavour for sure. But I think it's the melodies that are the king for both of them."

Their studio dynamic mirrors that philosophy. There is no rigid division between composer, instrumentalist, or songwriter. Instead, the brothers follow whichever idea feels right. "We both know that we are heading towards an idea that we both like," Abeer says, "By the end of it, our main thought is that the music should win. The melody needs to be something we both like."

Naturally, working with your sibling also means the occasional argument. Rohansh describes Abeer as his "partner in crime", but the relationship extends beyond music. "We live in the same household," he says, "And as you mentioned, I've also found a beautiful friend in Abeer along the way. So, yes, it's been a journey full of music, full of memories and full of beautiful fights as well." The disagreements, however, seem to have helped them find their rhythm. "Abeer and I just sort of have managed to find that perfect balance," he says.

Their father has also been able to witness that new chapter firsthand. One of Rohansh's favourite memories from Alpha came when the film was being shot on a set where his father's music had previously been part of a YRF production. "The fact that he was there with us witnessing our music come to life in the same sets and places was really special for him," Rohansh says, "It was a really, really wonderful moment for us to have dad see our work come to life."

For two artistes entering an industry where young musicians are also expected to constantly maintain an online presence, the brothers are conscious of the noise surrounding new music. But Abeer believes the work has to come first. "The audience will obviously give you a chance through your melody first, through your music," he says, "So I think that should be the first priority."

And perhaps that is what makes the brothers' beginning interesting. They have a celebrated surname, a major film debut and a shared musical upbringing. But, for now, Rohansh and Abeer are still doing what most young artistes do - experimenting, arguing, switching instruments, and trying to find a sound that is unmistakably their own.