MUMBAI: The music of Sikandar was launched by BIG Music at a suburban club on 9 March. The film set to release on 24 April is a co-production between BIG Pictures, the motion pictures brand from Reliance Big Entertainment Ltd and Sudhir Mishra’s production house -CineRaas Ltd

At the music launch of Sikandar the ambience was set alive by the live performances by Shankar Mahedvan and Anusha who sang Dhoop Ke Sikke and Shilpa Rao who sang Manzaraat.

Prasoon Joshi, especially wrote the song after watching the first cut of the film. "The film triggered a thought in me–to see the human side of a terrorist; to look into his childhood, his dreams etc. Am sure with the help of Shankar Eshaan Loy’s great composition this song will be a thought provoking one," said Joshi

Mahadevan said he was really happy to be working with director Piyush Jha for whom he has acted in a serial some years ago.

Mohit Chauhan who sang the nazm Gulon Mein Rang Bhare was unable to attend the event. This song is a dedication to the famous Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, adapted for the film by lyricist Neelesh Misra.

Also present at the music launch were music director Ehsaan- Loy, lyricist Prasoon Joshi, co-producer Sudhir Mishra, writer-director Piyush Jha, music directors Sandesh Shandilya, Justin-Uday and lyricist Neelesh Misra and Kumaar, singer Shilpa Rao and BIG Music president Rajesh Swahney, BIG Music CEO Kulmeet Makkar, BIG Music COO Mahesh Ramanathan and others.

The music video especially created for Dhoop Ke Sikke featuring Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Prasoon Joshi was also screened for the first time at this event. The music video was directed by Shiraz Bhattacharya.

BIG Music & Home Entertainment chief executive officer Kulmeet Makkar , says, "Sikandar’s soundtrack is a rare one. We have the best of lyricists and composers collaborating for making some spectacular music. The Dhoop Ke Sikke track with Shankar and Prasoon stands out. Mohit Chauhan and KK have done some incredible singing for Gulon Mein. The entire album is a music lover’s delight”.

BIG Pictures COO Mahesh Ramanatha says, “Sikandar’s music album is a connoisseur’s delight. The range is extra-ordinary from the soulful Gulon Mein to the invigorating Dhoop Ke Sikke. The music is as stirring as the film promises to be. The music talent associated with the film is the finest in the country & should go a long way in energizing audience interest in the film"

The film music album has 7 songs beginning with ‘Dhoop Ke Sike’ followed by lyricist Neelesh Misra paying a tribute to the famous Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz by taking the opening mukda from his famous ghazal ‘Gulon Mein’, and has penned two new versions. What’s interesting though is how the song subtly and metaphorically fits perfectly with the film. The song has two versions, a slow serene version by music director Justin-Uday and an upbeat version by music director Sandesh Shandilya. The old ghazal is deftly modernized with the use of contemporary singers like Mohit Chauhan and KK and using western orchestration to make the entire experience relevant to these times.

Yash Narvekar & Hrishikesh Kamerkar set a spiritual mood with Allah Hoo as lyricist Kumar precisely depicts Sikandar’s quest for finding the right path. Justin-Uday has given music to this song.

Arzoo, is a Naat, a traditional hymn sung in school assemblies in Jammu and Kashmir. The director has chosen a new voice of Mehrajuddin, a young boy from Aru- Jammu and Kashmir to make the song sound as genuine and truthful as possible. A peppy number ‘Manzaraat’, penned by Kumar which is based on traditional Kashmiri folk music sung in Mehndi functions in Kashmir, composed by Justin- Uday and sung by Shilpa Rao, adds zing to the album.

The album concludes on an optimistic note of hope and harmony with the youthful song Chaal Apni sung by Kamerkar & Hamsika pulling together a great album which offers a spectrum of emotions and a journey of lifetime.

Sikandar is a film about a young boy who has a dream to play football for the National team. It’s about his aspirations and challenges and how his life unfolds when one fine day he finds a gun on his way to school and what follows. Sikandar is a suspense-thriller.

Sikandar stars Parzaan Dastur, the little Sardar from film Kuchh Kuchh Hota Hai, now in his teens, Ayesha Kapur of Black Fame as she makes her come-back as a lead actress this time along with R. Madhavan, Sanjay Suri & introducing Arunoday Singh in key roles. The film has been written and directed by Piyush Jha.

The film, which was to release on 27 March, has now been postponed to April.

Speaking to Businessofcinema.com Mishra said, “The film had to be delayed because of different factors like the producers strike and the IPL. I am really excited about the film because it’s been made really well and it’s a human drama in the manner of a thriller and the conclusion is going to surprise you. It’s drastically different from all the other films made on terrorism.”