The year was 1998. A low -budget film about the dark underbelly of Mumbai called 'Satya' had captured the country's imagination. The Indian audiences Woke up to a stunningly new in your face background score.
It was perhaps the first time in Indian cinema that the original soundtrack took a cushy backseat to the background score. A name was being whispered in the hallowed portals of Bollywood.
A name called Sandeep Chowta had come, seen and conquered. What has followed since then is nothing short of a fairy tale. Successful and refreshingly different soundtracks for Ram Gopal Varma's 'Mast' and 'Jungle'.
Background scores for 'Musafir', 'Asoka', 'Vaastav', 'Kaun' and 'Shool'. A youth anthem each in 2001 and 2002 in the form of "Kambakth Ishq"('Pyar Tune Kya Kiya') and "Khallas"('Company') respectively. A great start to 2003 with 'Dum' and "Hollywood-Bollywood". The man's life is as interesting as his music, if not more. Born in Ghana, raised in Nigeria, grown up in Bangalore, based in Chennai and creating waves across the country via Mumbai! One wonders how soon before this extremely talented composer goes westward.
Sandeep took a keen interest in jazz in school, after stumbling on his father's collection. He shied away from family hospitality business and jumped feet first into the world of music. In his earlier days, he was devoted to jazz, leading him to form the band 'Pulse' with Shivamani and Keith Peters. Chowta was then spotted by Nagarjuna, who recommended him for the Music of the Telugu film "Ninne Pelladutha" which turned out to be one of the biggest hits of the industry and marked Sandeep's entry into films in a big way. Bollywood was obviously the next stop and 'Satya' happened. It is often said about techno-savvy musicians that they allow the gizmos to overpower the emotional content of their music. Sandeep Chowta is a stark exception. His immense knowledge of global music that subsumes Nigerian and Rajasthani folk in the same range as rave music and rap, allows him access to a popular sounds from every corner of the world
The array of voices that Sandeep Chowta has used to fuel and fill out his compositions range from the tried -and- tested Asha Bhonsle and Alisha Chinai, to the voices of Sowmya Raoh and Sonu Kakkar. An entire universe of talent has mushroomed around Sandeep's creativity, as is evident from the success of VIVA and Sunidhi Chauhan.
Sandeep Has directed many music video's Khubsoorat, Call of the lover which were path breaking for its different style.
Sandeep recently directed a ten-minute short film titled Dead End dealing with the causal drug user's menace rampant all over the country. The film has shocked all viewers during all it's screenings and has been termed effective.
Log onto his website for all the reactions from varioussections of the media.
Sandeep Resurfaced last year with a path breaing soundtrack for the telugu film Super starring
Nagarjuna and Ayesha Takia. This was the irst time in the history of Andhra Pradesh that Telugu
Songs made it to the national channels.The music recored one of the highest pre-release sales
In Andhra in the last 10 years.It is no secret that Super's Success was entirely attributed to the Music's success.
For Sandeep it was new approach to making music with his American counterparts.The language was never the issue .And he is now ready to vent out all his iconcepts ,ideas and collaborative efforts which he has been storing for the last 3 years starting with his brand new single
"MALLIKA I HATE YOU' for which he has even directed the music video.
Sandeep is currently working with AO to compose music for the Beijing Olympics 2008. He is currently involved in producing a ground breaking album titled American Pilgrimage to be released, Comprising of jazz greats John Scofield, Dave Valentin, Vinnie Coloiuta, Eddie Daniels, Bunny Brunel, Jay Oliver.
More cosmic than cosmetic, the sound of the Sandeep Chowta is the sound of the future. Spiritual and sensuous, meditative and erotic...
Frankly speaking, there is no definite answer to that question. Sandeep's music does not contain a note of flab, but always fab.
Sandeep's music cuts across global segregations to speak to every generation and community.
