Acclaimed music composer Amit Trivedi has revealed that he cried while working on the soundtrack of Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, the 2012 romantic comedy starring Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan.
In a conversation with film critic Komal Nahta, Trivedi recalled how the project challenged his confidence at a time when his career was progressing smoothly. The composer had already delivered acclaimed music for films such as Dev.D, Aamir and Udaan, and he initially believed that his creative process would continue to work in a similar way.
However, working on Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, directed by Shakun Batra and produced by Karan Johar, turned out to be a very different experience.
Trivedi explained that the director and producer often had contrasting preferences when it came to the songs. A composition that impressed one of them might not appeal to the other, leaving the composer struggling to understand what the film required.
The experience affected him emotionally and led him to question his own musical abilities.
Why Shakun Batra and Karan Johar Disagreed on the Songs
According to Amit Trivedi, the biggest challenge was balancing the creative expectations of Shakun Batra and Karan Johar.
He recalled that if Batra liked a song, Johar might reject it, and the reverse could happen as well. As a result, several of his compositions were turned down during the process.
Trivedi described the situation as confusing because he had not faced a similar challenge in his earlier projects. He had to repeatedly reconsider his approach while trying to find music that satisfied the different creative perspectives involved in the film.
The composer explained that he could not understand what was going wrong. He had previously experienced a relatively smooth process in which his compositions were accepted without repeated disagreements.
This time, however, the contrasting feedback made it difficult to identify the right direction.
His recollection offers a glimpse into the creative negotiations that can take place behind the scenes of a Bollywood production, where a song must fit both the director’s vision and the producer’s expectations.
Amit Trivedi Says He Cried and Questioned His Talent
The repeated rejections took an emotional toll on Trivedi. During his conversation with Komal Nahta, he admitted that he felt vulnerable and sad while working on the project.
He revealed that he even cried and began doubting whether he was good enough to compose music.
The experience made him question his own abilities. If his earlier songs had worked well and several had become popular, why was he struggling so much with this particular film?
At the same time, Trivedi recognised Karan Johar's extensive experience in the industry. This made the situation even more complicated because he was trying to understand whether the problem lay in his compositions or in the differing expectations of the people making the film.
His candid account highlights an aspect of creative work that audiences rarely see. Even established professionals can experience self-doubt when their ideas repeatedly fail to meet expectations.
From Dev.D to Udaan: Amit Trivedi’s Early Success
Before Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, Amit Trivedi had enjoyed a promising run as a film composer.
His work on Dev.D earned considerable attention for its unconventional sound and distinctive musical style. The soundtrack helped establish him as a composer willing to experiment beyond conventional Bollywood music.
He also composed the music for Aamir and Udaan, projects that further strengthened his reputation.
Trivedi recalled that he had composed 18 songs for Dev.D, all of which were selected. For Aamir, he was asked to create five songs, and all five were accepted. He experienced a similarly smooth process with Udaan.
These early experiences led him to believe that the music-making process would generally follow the same pattern.
However, the challenges associated with Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu gave him a different perspective on the realities of the film industry.
Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu: The Film Behind the Story
Released in 2012, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu starred Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan. The romantic comedy was directed by Shakun Batra and produced by Karan Johar, Hiroo Yash Johar and Ronnie Screwvala.
The film followed two individuals who meet in Las Vegas and develop an unexpected connection after a night that changes their lives.
Its music was composed by Amit Trivedi, with lyrics written by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The soundtrack featured songs including “Aunty Ji,” “Gubbare,” “Kar Chalna Shuru Tu” and the title track.
The film offered Trivedi a different kind of creative challenge, particularly because the music had to complement its characters and narrative.
His account of the experience reveals that creating a soundtrack involves much more than composing a melody. It also requires collaboration, repeated revisions and the ability to navigate differing opinions.
What Amit Trivedi Learned From the Experience
Trivedi’s recollection demonstrates how a difficult professional experience can challenge even a successful artist's confidence.
The composer did not simply describe the project as a disagreement over music. He spoke about the uncertainty it created and how he began questioning his own talent despite his earlier achievements.
His experience also illustrates the complicated relationship between artistic creativity and commercial filmmaking. A composer may believe a song works well, but the final decision often depends on how the director and producer interpret the film's needs.
For aspiring musicians, the story is a reminder that rejection and creative differences are part of the industry. They do not necessarily mean that an artist lacks talent.
Amit Trivedi's willingness to discuss the emotional side of his work offers a more personal perspective on the pressures behind some of Bollywood's most memorable soundtracks.
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