Sandeep Chowta’s latest song ‘Mallika, I hate you’ is turning many heads. The song isn’t about love for a change, yet it’s hitting the headlines and for all the right reasons.

But Chowta's first ever desi single was a tough choice.
No one’s tried making a single before. It was tough convincing retailers that this would work, but the song itself is strong. It works the world over. You have a song ready? You don’t need to wait. It’s a boon for artistes, especially unknown ones. A single that’s a big hit creates goodwill everywhere. Especially with the public, all agog to see what’s going to happen next.

A catchy title like Mallika, I hate you is bound to generate curiosity.
There’s a buzz about the song already (happy mood), though the video’s not out. It’s on the radio, it’s popping out everywhere. People are asking whether the song’s about Mallika Sherawat!

So is it?
Absolutely not!

But it is definitely about an alluring woman.
The song is about a woman who is most desired; men fantasise about her, but have no access to her. If I had said ‘Mallika I love you’ nobody would have bothered, the negative tone raises your antennae. The song is very tongue-in-cheek.

The album has six versions of it including two lounge tracks, a dance version, a bhangra version, even ringtones.
The single-song album is a concept that will get dated if I don’t put it out now. Mallika… is a commercial piece. I want to make sure people play it in every place. So there is a lounge mix, a bhangra mix; it fits in everywhere.

The composer has also shot the video himself.
Because, I want to be in control of my work; I see this as creating music on my own terms.

Chowta prefers working with musicians from abroad.
For me, working with these musicians; having them play my music and me playing their work is like attaining total fulfillment. It’s the highest honour I can ask for.