‘Working With Arijit Singh Is Always a Pleasure’

Singer-composer Ankit Tiwari is best known for his work in Bollywood films – songs like “Sunn Raha Hai” off 2013 movie Aashiqui 2, for example, still make it among the top 10 streamed albums on Spotify in India in 2024.

In today’s age of pop stars, however, Tiwari took time out for his solo project Underrated, released in December 2024. Even within this realm of non-film music, however, Tiwari launched his first single “Tum Kya Ho” (sung with star artist Arijit Singh, no less) with a music video starring Bollywood actors John Abraham and Sanjeeda Shaikh.

With a total of six songs written with lyricists Abhendra Upadhyay and Prince Dubey, Underrated sees Tiwari traversing airy, electronic-informed songs (like “Shayari” and “Pyaar Karo” with singer Payal Dev). Pained songs like “Mazak Karte Ho” are rooted in acoustic guitar, while “Likhta Hun” is driven by groovy, funky guitar lines and rhythms. Underrated closes with “Adab Se,” a song that Tiwari calls one of the most challenging songs to write. The trap-leaning song features hip-hop artist Agsy.

In an interview with Rolling Stone India, Tiwari talks about traversing different emotions on Underrated, collaborating with the likes of Arijit Singh, Payal Dev and Agsy, and more. Excerpts:

Rolling Stone India: How long was Underrated in the making? What was the first song that led you to decide you were making a bigger project?

Ankit Tiwari: Underrated has been a passion project in the making for about two years. The first song that inspired the album was “Tum Kya Ho.” When I completed the composition, I felt it held a depth that could anchor a larger narrative, so I decided to build a project around six core emotions.

You’ve said this is about six emotions through six songs. What was challenging about it?

Capturing the essence of six distinct emotions while ensuring they resonate universally was the biggest challenge. Each emotion — love, loss, hope, anger, nostalgia, and joy — required a unique sonic treatment. Balancing that diversity while maintaining a cohesive sound for the album was quite demanding.

Was there any particular song/emotion that was more difficult to tap into and represent the way you wanted?

“Adab Se,” which represents resilience and self-belief, was the most challenging. It required a fine balance between vulnerability and empowerment. Agsy brought her unique energy to the track, which really helped solidify the message.

Even though it’s a solo album, you’ve given the film soundtrack treatment in the way that John Abraham and Sanjeeda Shaikh have acted in the music video for “Tum Kya Ho.” Do you feel it’s necessary to have that approach to promoting your non-film music?

Absolutely. I believe storytelling through visuals is as important as the music itself, especially in today’s era of digital consumption. Having actors like John and Sanjeeda elevated the song’s narrative and gave it a cinematic appeal that resonates with a wider audience.

What was it like having Arijit Singh for the song?

Working with Arijit is always a pleasure. He has this innate ability to understand the soul of a song and bring it to life effortlessly. For Underrated, his voice was the perfect match to convey the depth of the emotion we aimed for.

You also have Payal Dev on “Pyaar Karo” and Agsy on “Adab Se.” How did these two collaborations come about?

With Payal, it was organic — we’ve collaborated before, and her voice is beautifully versatile. For “Pyaar Karo,” I needed a voice that could convey tenderness yet strength, and she delivered that perfectly. Agsy, on the other hand, brought fresh energy and a modern vibe to “Adab Se,” which was critical for the track’s message of resilience.

How has the project been received since its release?

The response has been overwhelming. Fans have appreciated the diversity in the music and the emotions it captures. “Tum Kya Ho” has been particularly well-received, and the cinematic video has sparked a lot of conversations. It’s heartening to see that people connect with the honesty of the project.

What’s coming up next in 2025?

2025 is going to be an exciting year. I’m working on new singles and collaborations, some film projects, and even exploring the idea of a live tour focused on Underrated. Stay tuned for some surprises!