Singer-composer Aman Pant on Jolly LLB 3, Citadel, and blending Indian sounds with modern music

Singer-composer Aman Pant is on a roll. From scoring for R. Balki’s Chup to the global spy franchise Citadel: Honey Bunny and now creating a high-energy track for Jolly LLB 3, the Delhi-born, Mumbai-based musician is steadily carving his space in the industry.

In a candid conversation, he spoke about his process, influences, and upcoming projects. The making of 'Bhai Vakeel Hai'Pant’s latest composition for Jolly LLB 3 has already struck a chord with audiences. “The idea actually came from Subhash sir (director Subhash Kapoor). He wanted a song that felt organic to the story. The phrase Bhai Vakeel Hai came from him, and being from Delhi myself, it instantly clicked,” Pant recalls.

Lyricists Pardhaan and Akhil Tiwari brought in their trademark quirk, while Haryana’s rapper KD Desirock added punch.

Surprisingly, the track was created in under four hours. “Honestly, it was completely spontaneous. That day I had meditated, sat at my workstation, and the song just happened. It was as if the energy aligned perfectly,” he says. The quick turnaround impressed both director Subhash Kapoor and actor Akshay Kumar, who approved it almost immediately.

Blending sounds without losing authenticityKnown for merging contemporary sounds with Indian roots, Pant believes in subtlety. “I’ve always had an Indian classical background, and I like bringing that essence into my tracks. It doesn’t have to overpower the modern elements. For this song, I used a sampled dotara, a Bengali folk instrument, in a textured way.” Music as a storytelling toolPant sees music as central to narrative building, especially in film and OTT.

“A scene can feel joyous or sinister based on the score. Get the music wrong, and you risk distracting the audience,” he explains. From Delhi to Mumbai: a steady climbPant shifted from Delhi to Mumbai in 2013 after starting his journey in 2008. “Mumbai respects talent — if you have it, you will eventually be seen,” he says. His big breakthrough came with Chup in 2022. “It was like a masterclass. Working with R. Balki sir taught me a lot about scoring for narrative.

After Chup, people started trusting me with films.” Lessons from advertisingBefore cinema, Pant composed for over 4,000 ad films, a discipline that sharpened his instincts. “Advertising taught me film reading — when to pause, when to build, how to make music breathe within a short span. It also toughened me to face rejections and deadlines.” Crafting global soundsIn 2024, Pant scored for Citadel: Honey Bunny. “It demanded a global sound but I wanted a touch of Indianness.

The electric sitar became a key element in the theme — it sat beautifully with the analogue textures and spy-thriller vibe.” Cinema, OTT, and ads: different gamesFor Pant, each medium demands a unique approach. “OTT gives you room to experiment; cinema is structured and often challenging within boundaries; advertising is about impact in 30 seconds,” he says. What’s nextPant is excited about upcoming projects — Toaster starring Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra, Single Papa with Kunal Kemmu, and a song in Family Man Season 3.

“Each project has a different musical flavor, and that keeps me excited.” Musical inspirationsWhen asked about his influences, Pant lights up: “From India, I deeply admire Madan Mohan Saab, Khayyam ji, and R.D. Burman. A.R. Rahman has been a pathbreaker for all of us. Globally, Michael Jackson shaped my childhood, and I love John Mayer for his songwriting depth.”