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

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 ldquoIf wersquore bored wersquoll just switch up and hersquoll be on the drums and Irsquoll play the pianordquo Abeer says ldquoThatrsquos how we stimulate our brains into thinking differently on different daysrdquoThe approach reflects the easy chemistry of two brothers who grew up learning music from their father composer Lalit Pandit of the iconic JatinLalit duoThat chemistry is now being tested on a much larger stage At 18 and 21 respectively Abeer and Rohansh have made their featurefilm debut as composers with Yash Raj Filmsrsquo Alpha becoming among the youngest composers to helm a major YRF production ldquoItrsquos surreal to start our journey in such a mannerrdquo Rohansh says ldquoWersquore truly grateful for the opportunity to put our music out there with such a massive project as AlphardquoFor Abeer being part of YRF Talent and the Spy Universe has brought a similar mix of excitement and responsibility ldquoIrsquom really grateful to be given such responsibilities at such a young age But at the same time itrsquos exciting and we want to do it just for the love of musicrdquoThe brothersrsquo relationship with music began long before Alpha growing up surrounded by the sounds and traditions of the fifthgeneration Mewati Gharana For Rohansh watching his father work became an education in itself ldquoThe love for music honestly starts since childhood just seeing dad do what he does best and being in the atmosphere soaking it all inrdquo he says ldquoI think that really started for Abeer and I and I think thatrsquos just grown through the yearsrdquoYet their ambition is not simply to continue a family legacy They are still trying to figure out what their own musical identity sounds like ldquoWe want to find our own voicerdquo Rohansh says ldquoWersquore pretty still at a nascent stage of our careers Wersquore still searchingrdquo That search takes them between film and independent music two spaces they see as different but connected by one essential elementldquoThe main structure and core is melody and how much you love doing itrdquo Abeer explains ldquoThe film world and the independent world they both need a different flavour for sure But I think itrsquos the melodies that are the king for both of themrdquoTheir studio dynamic mirrors that philosophy There is no rigid division between composer instrumentalist or songwriter Instead the brothers follow whichever idea feels right ldquoWe both know that we are heading towards an idea that we both likerdquo Abeer says ldquoBy the end of it our main thought is that the music should win The melody needs to be something we both likerdquoNaturally working with your sibling also means the occasional argument Rohansh describes Abeer as his ldquopartner in crimerdquo but the relationship extends beyond music ldquoWe live in the same householdrdquo he says ldquoAnd as you mentioned Irsquove also found a beautiful friend in Abeer along the way So yes itrsquos been a journey full of music full of memories and full of beautiful fights as wellrdquo The disagreements however seem to have helped them find their rhythm ldquoAbeer and I just sort of have managed to find that perfect balancerdquo he saysTheir father has also been able to witness that new chapter firsthand One of Rohanshrsquos favourite memories from Alpha came when the film was being shot on a set where his fatherrsquos music had previously been part of a YRF production ldquoThe fact that he was there with us witnessing our music come to life in the same sets and places was really special for himrdquo Rohansh says ldquoIt was a really really wonderful moment for us to have dad see our work come to liferdquoFor 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 ldquoThe audience will obviously give you a chance through your melody first through your musicrdquo he says ldquoSo I think that should be the first priorityrdquoAnd perhaps that is what makes the brothersrsquo 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 mdash experimenting arguing switching instruments and trying to find a sound that is unmistakably their own