Echoes of Us director Joe Rajan opens up on Arijit Singh and Iulia Vantur’s surprise duet “Tere Sang”.
Echoes of Us film
Q: Echoes of Us has been receiving a lot of attention lately. What’s driving the buzz?
Joe Rajan: The film has been fortunate to receive awards recognition, but what has truly surprised people is the music - especially the duet “Tere Sang.” The association of Arijit Singh and Iulia Vantur came as an unexpected and beautiful moment for everyone, including us.
Q: The duet has taken social media by surprise. How did this collaboration come about?
Joe Rajan: Interestingly, the song was originally conceived as a solo for Iulia Vantur. She is a trained singer and performs extensively, so the idea was always hers alone. During the filming, Arijit Singh’s name came up, and we wondered - what if this song became a duet?
Q: And how did Arijit Singh respond when he heard the song?
Joe Rajan: The song was sent to Arijit, and he connected with it instantly. He liked it and agreed to sing it without hesitation. That moment itself felt magical - everything happened very naturally, without effort or persuasion.
Q: You met Arijit Singh personally during this process. What stood out for you?
Joe Rajan: Arijit Singh is a heart of gold. There’s a reason people call him the god of singing. He graciously invited us to his home in Jiaganj, Kolkata - a place where humility truly lives. His simplicity, warmth, and openness were overwhelming.
Q: How was his interaction with Iulia Vantur during the recording?
Joe Rajan: His humility and generosity were remarkable. He took genuine interest in the song and guided Iulia at every step. Watching someone of his stature approach music with such sincerity was a sheer blessing.
Q: Arijit Singh is known for staying away from the limelight. How do you see that side of him?
Joe Rajan: That’s who he truly is. Music is his world. He doesn’t chase attention - he lives for his craft. He prefers spending time in the village where he grew up, surrounded by people who treat him as their own and protect him. That grounding reflects in his voice.
Q: What does it mean to you that he lent his voice to a short film like Echoes of Us?
Joe Rajan: That’s something I reflect on even today. Why would Arijit Singh lend his voice to my film, share it with Iulia, and be part of a project that also features Deepak Tijori after many years? The answer is simple - he believes in honest music. That’s Arijit.
Q: Tere Sang has been released under Salman Khan Films Music and distributed by Sony Music India. How has the response been?
Joe Rajan: The response has been extremely positive. The song has crossed over two million views and continues to receive immense love for the emotional depth and harmony between Arijit and Iulia.
Q: Arijit Singh has spoken about retirement in the past. What would you like to say to him now?
Joe Rajan: If this song is any indication, music clearly hasn’t let him go. Our only message to Arijit is - please don’t retire.
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