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Aman Pant, the award-winning composer behind Citadel: Honey Bunny, brings a thrilling fusion of Indian and international soundscapes to the Russo brothers’ global spy series.
Composer Aman Pant shares his creative process behind Citadel: Honey Bunny, blending electric sitar with ’90s analogue synths to craft a distinctly Indian yet globally resonant score.
When award-winning composer Aman Pant took on the challenge of scoring Citadel: Honey Bunny, the Indian chapter of the Russo brothers’ international spy thriller, he aimed to blend the intensity of espionage with a distinctively Indian sound. And he delivered, fusing the timeless appeal of the electric sitar with ‘90s-inspired analogue synthesizers to create a score as dynamic and layered as the series itself. In this exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, Pant gives us a sneak peek into his creative process, including his choice of the electric sitar—a move he describes as capturing “the classical Indian essence with a modern, edgy vibe.”
With a career spanning over 4,000 ad film scores and major projects like Dunki and The Great Indian Kapil Show, Pant has mastered the art of versatility. But Citadel marks a milestone, allowing him to showcase the depth and adaptability of Indian music on a global platform. From brainstorming sessions with directors Raj & DK to late-night experiments with Moogs, Pant’s journey on Citadel embodies a dedication to pushing musical boundaries. As he shares behind-the-scenes stories and his vision for the future, it’s clear Pant is on a mission—not just to entertain, but to redefine Indian music’s role in the world of international cinema.
Here are the excerpts:
Q: Your collaboration with Alan Walker is one of the most anticipated releases this year. How did this partnership come about, and what can fans expect from the track releasing on November 11?
Aman Pant: Working on Citadel: Honey Bunny was a true departure from my past projects, and creating the soundscape was both challenging and exhilarating. I drew on my background in advertising, where I’d explored multiple genres, which taught me to be flexible and inventive. For Citadel, I envisioned a powerful, high-energy score that would capture the intensity of a spy thriller while also celebrating Indian cultural elements. That’s why I turned to analogue synthesizers and ‘90s-inspired synth sounds, blending them with Indian musical influences. This fusion allowed me to bring in an exciting, layered depth that’s unique to the show and hopefully resonates deeply with the audience.
Q: You’ve innovatively used the electric sitar in Citadel. Could you walk us through the thought process behind this choice and how you see it resonating with the show’s global yet Indian essence?
Aman Pant: With Citadel rooted in an Indian storyline, I knew I wanted an Indian instrument in the score. The sitar immediately came to mind because of its iconic status, thanks in part to legends like Pandit Ravi Shankar. But the traditional sitar felt a bit too serene for a high-stakes thriller. That’s when the electric sitar idea came up, and it was a revelation—it captured both the classical Indian essence and a modern, edgy vibe perfect for action-packed scenes. The response has been amazing so far, with listeners globally appreciating this cross-cultural blend. I’m thrilled that it resonates so well with audiences worldwide.
Q: You’ve mentioned using analogue synthesizers like Moogs to give Citadel a retro-modern vibe. What specific challenges did you encounter when combining analogue and electronic elements for this project?
Aman Pant: Analogue synthesizers are an adventure in themselves! They add warmth and organic depth to the sound, but they can be unpredictable. They don’t save sounds like digital instruments do, so if you create a tone you love, recreating it can be challenging. But that unpredictability also led to unexpected discoveries that enriched the score. Working on Citadel early on gave me the chance to find a balance between analogue’s warmth and digital’s sharpness, creating a layered and vibrant sound that complements the story’s depth.
Q: You’ve worked with Raj & DK before on Guns and Gulaab. How did this collaboration on Citadel compare, and what creative freedom did they give you that allowed for experimentation?
Aman Pant: Raj and DK are incredibly inspiring to work with—they trust their team and give us the freedom to take creative risks. Guns and Gulaab and Citadel are quite different in terms of tone, but the collaborative atmosphere was the same. They encourage experimentation, which allows me to explore new ideas and create a score that’s bold and fresh. That kind of openness fosters creativity, and it’s one of the reasons I love working with them.
Q: With the Citadel series being part of an international franchise created by the Russo brothers, were there any particular global or cross-cultural elements you kept in mind while composing?
Aman Pant: I intentionally didn’t watch the U.S. version of Citadel to maintain an original approach to the Indian adaptation. I wanted a score that matched the grandeur of the visuals and the international standard of the production while staying rooted in Indian sounds. By focusing on an original soundscape, I believe I captured a global appeal without losing the essence that makes Indian music so powerful and unique.
Q: How did you balance creating a global sound that appeals to international audiences while staying true to Indian musical roots in Citadel?
Aman Pant: Music has no boundaries, and that’s a philosophy I’ve always followed. For Citadel, I started with melodies based on Indian sensibilities and layered them with electronic and analogue sounds. Although the instruments weren’t always traditional, the Indian influence remained strong in the structure. This approach allowed me to create a score that feels culturally rich while still being accessible to global audiences.
Q: The action sequences in Citadel seem central to the storyline. How did you approach scoring these intense scenes, and what role does the music play in amplifying the show’s suspense and energy?
Aman Pant: Action scenes have a rhythm of their own, almost like a heartbeat that sets the pace for the entire sequence. My approach was to capture that rhythm and build upon it, enhancing the intensity and suspense through the score. The music isn’t just in the background; it syncs with the choreography and drives the tension forward, creating a more immersive experience for the viewer.
Q: How has working on Citadel contributed to your growth as a composer? Were there any new creative pathways or techniques you explored for the first time on this project?
Aman Pant: Working on Citadel has been a significant milestone in my career. It’s my first project with the Russo brothers, and the scale of the production pushed me to think outside the box. Experimenting with analogue synthesizers introduced a new texture to my music, and I’m excited to bring this into future projects. This experience has expanded my creative toolkit and allowed me to explore new pathways that I hadn’t considered before.
Q: You have worked across a wide variety of genres and formats, from ad films to major Bollywood projects. How has this diversity in experience influenced your work on a global platform like Citadel?
Aman Pant: Working on over 4,000 ad films taught me the value of versatility and adaptability. Ads require quick thinking and the ability to shift between genres, which has been invaluable for a project as multifaceted as Citadel. Each experience has added to my perspective and helped me approach music in fresh and dynamic ways, which is essential when working on a global stage.
Q: Looking back on your journey, from composing for The Great Indian Kapil Show to scoring for Dunki and Chup, how do you see your style evolving? What makes Citadel stand out as a milestone in your career?
Aman Pant: Every project I’ve worked on has shaped my style and taught me something new. Citadel stands out because of its scale and the chance to work with some of the biggest names in the industry, including the Russo brothers and Raj & DK. The creative freedom I was given, combined with the opportunity to experiment with a mix of analogue and electronic sounds, made this score one of the most fulfilling projects of my career. It’s a true milestone that has expanded my vision as a composer.
Q: Can you share any behind-the-scenes moments from Citadel’s production that significantly influenced the final score?
Aman Pant: There were numerous brainstorming sessions with Raj and DK that shaped the score, especially the use of the electric sitar. It wasn’t our initial choice, but as we experimented, it became central to the theme. Behind every piece of music in Citadel is a story of trial, late-night sessions, and lots of experimentation. It’s a journey, and each step added something valuable to the final score.
Q: What trends do you see shaping the future of Indian music in global cinema, and how do you envision contributing to this evolution?
Aman Pant: Indian music has a unique fusion of classical, folk, and global influences, which makes it incredibly powerful. The blend of Indian ragas with Western scales offers something fresh and impactful. I’m passionate about showcasing Indian melodies and structures to international audiences, and I hope to contribute to this movement by creating scores that bridge cultures and showcase the depth of Indian music.
Q: Are there other international projects or genres you’re hoping to explore after Citadel, perhaps blending more unconventional instruments or sounds?
Aman Pant: Yes, I have some exciting projects lined up, both Indian and international. I’m drawn to unconventional, experimental compositions, and I’m eager to continue exploring the fusion of Indian musical heritage with modern sounds. I’m excited to keep pushing boundaries and to represent the versatility of Indian music on the global stage.