Sir, the group list is ready for the semi-final.
Yes, sir?
Sir, it will be our pleasure.
Yeah.
Sir, I will arrange everything.
Looking forward to it.
Yeah.
Guys, guys, guys. Change of plans right now.
Welcome back to the India Band Championship.
And congratulations to our top eight!
Now we will have an epic battle round.
I know what you are thinking…
Why did we divide the four bands into two groups?
Let me explain. In this round one team from one group
will choose any other team from the other group to compete with.
Just like battle of bands Sort of a jugalbandi.
The bands that perform better in this round
will go directly to the IBC grand finale.
But the losers will have another chance
in a knockout elimination round.
A sudden death.
Just one band will make it to the top five.
And it gets a chance to perform in the grand finale.
And unfortunately, the remaining three bands
will go back home.
It's a do-or-die situation, guys.
Now, who will choose the bands?
Who will make the pairings up?
Well, the bands on my right. Here's going first.
Jwalamukhi, are you ready?
Radhe, we could choose that all-girls thing?
-The punk band? -Should we choose that?
I think we will choose All Girls' Punk.
-All Girls' Punk! Okay. -Smart choice.
Atikraman.
Shall we choose Apacella?
-Acapella. -What's your choice?
We want Acapella.
-Well, Rathod Gharana, your turn. -Two minutes, please.
There are two bands left to go. Let's choose Kirdar…
No, Radhe. The Mahi round was too tough. No more of this pop, and rock, okay?
-No. -Rathod Gharana,
-you have only one minute. Tick tock. -Just a moment.
My throat is already sore! We have only one option.
Not Tamanna's band, please.
Listen, Radhe, it's not personal.
We should choose a band we can win against.
Ananya is right.
Rathod Gharana, speak quickly. Your choice is?
-Royalty Free. -Dad!
Did they choose us since we appear to be the weakest?
-Interesting choice. -We can do it…
It's not some breakup revenge thing, is it?
No way, no.
We may seem weak to them but we are not.
Okay? We can do this.
The right side has chosen its opponents.
Now it's time for the left side.
They will decide the artist and the song
for the jugalbandi.
Well, Royalty Free, what is your artist and song?
Okay, let's give them Led Zeppelin.
But they cracked rock just now.
You're not wrong. We should play to our strengths.
If they are weak at it, even better.
-But we should slow it down a bit, okay? -Okay.
-Not western, maybe soul… -Give them jazz?
-Jazz, something like that. -Yeah.
-That makes sense, yeah? -Yeah.
Sir, I think we can…
I am waiting for you by Queen Eli.
-Who is Queen Eli? -Whoa!
-Do you know her? -She's a pop star.
Radhe knows.
Hindi classical band gets to sing an English song!
Interesting choice.
We are on to Kirdar…
He is not bad.
Coming to Acapella!
Tamanna!
I said no.
It's okay.
Anyway, I always wanted a master of classical music
to sing a song by Queen Eli.
Really?
What else did you always want to do?
Radhe, listen to me.
What happened yesterday?
-I am sorry. -You are with Ayaan.
I know.
Yeah.
Yesterday,
I got emotional and said too much.
I also know you don't feel confident or happy with me.
-No, Radhe. -I know this.
I know it.
Perhaps I can never change that.
But I can change.
I can learn how to be friends with an ex.
I have tried everything, Tamanna. I tried it all.
I deleted your messages first.
Then I retrieved them from the cloud.
I blocked you and then unblocked you.
Either you keep my phone…
or teach me how to be friends.
It is imperative for me to have you in my life.
Just help me to get there.
Yes, but I won't help with the Queen Eli round.
Okay.
If not you, Queen Eli will have to do.
Stop this obscene thing! What are you watching it for?
Dad, this is Queen Eli.
I see. So let's watch it.
Let's hear it…
Radhe, what was that?
It's the most popular song of 2020.
I don't know how these weird songs get to the top of the charts.
Mathematics does that.
Eventually, the popularity of any song is based on its formula.
I mean, these days music composers mostly put their trust in data.
I mean, weather forecasts, even the elections.
Data scientists analyze trends in all this and predict outcomes.
And I am sure Queen Eli is using a similar formula.
I know all this since my sister is a data scientist. Never mind.
No, no, nice.
I don't think you can make music only with data science.
If that were the case, robots would create music.
They are. Actually, Artificial Intelligence is quite…
We are going off track here.
We have to present the music of our Gharana.
How can we do that within these parameters?
Yes?
May I?
Let's hear the tune once.
Waiting for you…
Bhimpalasi.
Sister-in-law, doesn't it sound like Bhimpalasi?
No, Devendra, this is…
It's a combination of Sa, Ga, Ma, Pa, so…
Kausi Kanada seems more obvious to me.
Doesn't Panditji have any compositions in Kausi Kanada?
You got the veena and the composition book, right? Bring it.
Sister-in-law kept that safe, right? Yes, sister-in-law?
It got left behind in Jodhpur.
That's okay.
I have it all written down in my diary. Let me get that.
How do we sing this in English?
Right.
-Tough task. -What?
It's difficult.
The Jodhpur band won't be able to handle this genre.
Yes. Finally, we've found something in our own zone.
You don't need to get too overconfident.
This song isn't perfect yet.
Ma'am, I know we chose this song considering their weaknesses.
And it's our best shot.
Isn't it a bit too simple?
It's like a 90's song. It's…
-Do you remember your last breakup? -Sorry?
You don't have to give me the details.
The sense of liberation that comes after that pain…
Queen Eli made a song about that very feeling.
Try to capture that.
Okay, let's try to do it like the original.
Liberation.
Wow!
Beautiful.
See? English!
We've shifted from Bandra to Borivali in no time at all.
-No, no, no. -What do we do now?
I have an idea.
Listen to all of Queen Eli's songs. One to all. A to Z.
Then you'll have some idea of what to do or not.
How can we listen to all the songs within two days and set it up?
If you hadn't repressed your feelings with Tamanna
none of us would be depressed after eating this stale Thumri sandwich.
Let's do this. Let's ask for a truce. Okay?
Let's ask Tamanna's band for some help.
I mean, there's no shame in it. No shame.
No, Arghya.
We do need help but we need it from a statistical analyst.
Listen, we may not be able to listen to
all the songs of the genre within two days.
But at least, we can understand Queen Eli's model
and apply it and use it in our song.
It will be easy to track it.
Okay.
Let's try what Ananya is telling us to do.
Okay, let's do this.
Your sister is a data analyst, right?
No, not her. Nobody from my family.
We will find someone else. Someone must be around.
Why?
She is your sister, she's your family. You can…
I said no, Radhe. Not from my family. No one from my family.
Excuse me.
He's right, you know?
Ananya.
Ananya!
Radhe, not now.
Can you please listen to me once? Is there any problem?
Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you.
Actually, I haven't told my family.
That you are in the band with us.
At least about the IBC…
Ananya, we have made it to the semi-finals of the IBC. Your family should…
Why didn't you tell them about this?
Do you want to say something, Tamanna?
No, ma'am.
No, what is it?
I tried to sing it note to note just like the original and I
tried to bring that sense of liberation also, but…
Isn't it working out?
Ma'am.
The song isn't only about liberation.
She wrote it immediately after her breakup.
While she was still waiting for him.
It's a bit melancholic too.
Read the lyrics attentively once.
She wants to get away from the pain of
that toxic relationship.
But going away is painful too.
Show us how.
On her cue.
Ayaan, just chords.
Keep it sparse.
Guys.
Radhe, my family is highly…
intellectual.
It's evident when one sees you.
Well, obviously I would seem smart to you.
What?
Because you haven't met them.
That's why.
Listen.
You're the only one who is most educated out here.
Thanks.
But you don't understand it.
My dad is a solar physicist.
He teaches helioseismology in college.
My mom was the first chairperson of the Indian Statistical Institute.
You can't imagine the kind of pressure I am under.
You know, when I got selected for ISMO
they were so thrilled it was the kind of vibe
most parents give off at their daughter's wedding.
I mean, don't get me wrong. Working at ISMO
is better than getting married any day.
Not that I don't want to get married, eventually. I want to get married too.
I mean, just as, you know, your parents are convincing you
to get married.
Not that, you know…
Marriage is all that life is about but…
I mean, it's nice to have someone.
Anyway.
I can understand. Your parents…
must have been infuriated
when you gave up the job at ISMO.
They were pretty sad.
They believe that solving the real
problems in the world is a real job.
And I don't have a real job.
But if there were no music there would
be even more problems in the world.
Real problems.
I guess we have to convince them that
this ISMO scientist is actually a musical genius.
Okay?
It was phenomenal, you know.
-You think so? -Seriously.
Thanks.
Ayaan.
Come here.
Hey, Tamanna.
You know I dyed my hair blue, because of you.
You got the shade wrong.
But you know if you'd sung the chorus like
that before, you would have been the lead singer!
-Next time. -Okay.
These folks who double book, I tell you!
Watching you listen to Queen Eli's songs
gives me the goosebumps, Radhe!
What kind of friend are you?
You could help a bit with the translation at least.
It's not just Mom, I am struggling too.
Listen to these lines. What's that supposed to mean?
"You know I am alone. My pain is taking skin and bone. "
I am sorry, I can't help. I can't cheat on my band members.
But you always said that
cheating with an ex doesn't qualify as cheating.
I will think about it.
Mr. Ex!
Okay, fine. Let me talk to your boyfriend.
To let me borrow my friend for some time.
Why are you reacting like I do?
You city kids always say
to normalize it, don't you?
By the way, I don't want to go back to normal.
My pain is taking my skin and bones.
-Hi, ma'am. -Hi.
Radhe said that…
Basically, they are screwed.
Really?
How?
I mean…
he said, how can his mother sing in English?
So why don't we help him out a bit?
Radhe, did you ask them for help?
No, no, they called us over.
So that we could speak to each other and maybe they could help us.
It's possible, we could sing Panditji's composition.
You know, "Sajan Tora" and…
"I am waiting for you, " which we discussed?
Here they are. Come, come, please.
-Sit, sit, sit. -Greetings.
-Come on, find a spot… -Greetings.
-Come on. -Sit, sit.
-Hi. -Sit.
-Hi. We have met. -Yeah.
We were thinking of a composition by Panditji.
Kausi Kanada.
The kids said… What was that, Radhe?
Mother, it's "I am waiting for you. "
After listening carefully, the notes of this and those of raag Kausi Kanada
seem to be in the same octave.
Yes. It's the same. It's Sa, Ga, Ma, Pa together.
Ma'am, won't that be a bit unfair?
We have already decided to sing Queen Eli's song…
Can every band make its own interpretation of the same song?
Listen, this round's focus is mainly on a duet or jugalbandi.
If both teams agree, we have no issues with it.
But…
the judges will decide whose interpretation is better.
-Obviously. -Okay, then.
You can perform your interpretation.
We will perform our own version.
And we should match scales.
Yeah.
Ayaan, we can develop
-some chorus lines together. -Yes.
Yes, Radhe can come over from our team.
Son, you and brother can lock down the chorus.
Okay, then. Let's leave the rest of it for the stage.
Let's not have a clash of bands
that sounds like a harmonious musicale.
Okay?
What a beautiful thing.
This contest which is about winning and losing
has people like you involved who understand that
music can only come through coming together.
Guys!
How about a photo? Sir.
Come…
"I wonder what this malaise is all about.
I burn in your memory at every moment.
But still, I don't see you…
Why do you torture me?"
He's a good writer, Tamanna's new boyfriend.
"Come back home, my love. "
It's written here. See?
I am waiting for you has been translated as come back home, love.
Love doesn't seem to get off your back!
Actually, Ritika is here.
Yes.
-Shall we go? -Let's go.
So, I've heard all of Queen Eli's songs
and I have set the data of the top ten pop songs for the last 15 years.
I applied a machine learning method
to that, which is known as the Random Forest Algorithm.
Generally, every song has one hook.
However, in my analysis, I found that all of
Queen Eli's popular songs have two hooks.
One is an instrumental hook and the other is a vocal hook.
These two hooks are in proportion to each other
-Brother… -at a ratio of one is to two,
-with their note combination. -you failed math in fourth grade, right?
That means if the vocal hook contains three notes
-Fifth grade. -the instrumental hook
will consist of six notes and vice versa.
Come on, Ananya! This much even you could have explained, right?
You cracked ISMO but couldn't crack such a simple algorithm. It's so obvious.
And our parents used to think she was smarter than I am!
But never mind. Okay, guys.
I have to go. Bye.
Hey, thank you. Thank you, Ritika! Thank you so much, man!
It was lovely talking-- She went offline?
Can we try doing what Ritika said, once?
Let's do it.
I just want to make a phone call.
Okay.
Thank you.
Kingshuk!
It's gonna be fun.
Ayaan, chorus.
Thanks for the applause.
Thanks?
For what?
What's happening?
You should sing lead for this round.
-Right! -I am serious.
Ma'am, I am not ready.
What we spoke about? Listen…
We'll practice together, you can…
Tamanna, it's not about that.
You've got this and…
we trust you.
Ma'am, I'm truly not ready.
Can you give us a moment?
-Coffee? -Yeah!
-Let's go. -Yes!
Yes!
Let's go.
Why?
Ma'am, it's a team effort.
I…
I don't wish to mess up.
Real reason… why?
Radhe made me realize I am not a good singer.
That's why I joined the music school.
Then I learned from you
that I am not ready.
And now you are telling me to perform in front of Radhe?
This…
This is the reason why you should be singing this song.
Because nobody can understand this song better than you.
Because that's your story.
But, ma'am, it's only four days until the performance.
Now we have new Hindi lyrics as well and
you know I am not the best singer.
If I could not match the scale with Radhe in the duet.
Those high notes that he sings…
A singer doesn't merely hit the right notes.
They also tell the story.
And you, my dear Tamanna, are a storyteller.
You were before you met me and before you met Radhe too.
If you can go and sing on the stage with the same honesty
then no matter how technically sound Radhe is…
he won't be able to match you.
That's why I will tell you this today.
Go.
Sing out there with all your heart.
Just confront your fears.
Just like Queen Eli.
Ritika, I wanted to thank you for your help.
You are truly very intelligent. In a way that I am not.
But Ananya is as intelligent as you are.
She is in no way less intelligent than you.
Ananya has dealt only with numbers all her life.
She is dealing with folks like us now.
So none of this is easy for her.
Now if she wants to do something different in her life and…
if her family can't see this then…
By the way, thanks for today. I will be seeing you. Thank you.
-Hi. -Hi.
Ayaan and I set the scales.
CAN I BORROW SOME TIME FROM MY FRIEND?
SURE.
Radhe, if I fuck up Queen Eli's song
I will never be able to forgive myself.
And all my fuck ups always happen when you're around.
I'm sorry.
You're the last person I should be saying all this to.
Radhe, I don't know who else I should speak to about this.
I would feel worse
if you spoke to anyone else.
Panditji has contributed to my music
as well as my mother
and my family.
You have contributed to it equally.
Radhe.
You're just saying that…
My family taught me the discipline of music.
But I learned about the liberty music provides from you.
When I heard you at the qualifier
I felt as if I am in Jodhpur.
And I am watching you in concert yet again.
But I was wrong.
The new version of Tamanna has gone far ahead.
Even today,
I am still your greatest fan.
So you may not perform for anyone else
but you must perform for this fan of yours.
And even if I have to lose…
to you…
I would be happy to lose.
Stop.
Sorry.
I'm sorry.
Sorry, I should go.
Closer.
Three things are needed for the duet song.
The male and female understand each other's range.
Voice control and breath control.
Take a deep breath.
Now, gradually let it go.
So the flame moves, but it should not go out.
It will help you to control your breath.
The kind of pressure you're exerting on the lower notes
should be exerted on the upper notes too.
Then the upper notes and the lower notes will vibrate equally.
Panditji used to say if you wish to work on the upper notes
you must start with the lower notes.
Otherwise, not just the flame… but even the notes will come out uneven.
Let me do it.
See.
The flame has gone out!
Please welcome the Rathod Gharana and Royalty Free.
Performing a song by Queen Eli
in their own style.
Huge round of applause!
Breathe!
Radhe!
The Rathod Gharana makes it to the grand finale.
Welcome to the top five!
Royalty Free, unfortunately, you have to face an elimination.
But what an amazing performance by Tamanna and Royalty Free.
Let's give it up, guys.
For both these fantastic bands.
You performed very well, guys!
Guys, you all were too good.
-Guys, congratulations. -Congratulations!
Tamanna.
You sang beautifully, dear.
-Very well done. -Thank you.
-Be happy.
You performed very well, dear.
Thank you.
Excuse me.
Let's go.
Tamanna.
Listen. You were fantastic, okay?
Don't blame yourself.
It was not your mistake.
Radhe knew very well what he was doing.
He did wrong. Okay?
-Ayaan… -It was not your fault.
Just let me be, please.
Ananya!
-Surprise! -Hi!
You're better than me at something!
Proud of you.
How come all of you are here?
You've really made us proud. Love you.
-Too good. -Thanks.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
Beautiful. You were too good.
Guys, they are my parents and you already know Ritika.
-Hello. -Your song was so beautiful.
It's okay. We'll figure this out, okay?
We are waiting in the jam room.
Oh, come on!
Tamanna.
Tamanna, I am really sorry.
If my Gharana hadn't been here today…
Stop it!
Just stop hiding behind your Gharana!
You are just as insecure and competitive
as anyone else, Radhe.
You knew my weakness.
And you exploited me.
You took my voice to a place where you knew it would crack.
Why did you say that?
Why did you tell me you'd lose happily?
Don't pretend to be a nice person.
No matter what happens Radhe Rathod will not lose.
And don't you stress over it.
Radhe.
Hi!
I've been searching for you for so long.
What is it?
Nothing has happened.
I just wanted to congratulate you.
Thank you for calling my family.
Congratulations.
Do you remember I told you about you being a statistical anomaly?
-Yes. -It means that you
don't fit into any set pattern.
As in if you assign numerical values to Xs and compare their traits
obviously, the common denominator is intelligence.
In your case, it seems as if
there is something more than intelligence…
Do you get it now?
Ananya, I…
It's okay.
Anyway…
See you.
I just want to say one thing…
That we've come together as a band.
This was your best performance till now.
It's just a battle.
The war is still on.
You can take a break if you want.
We will crack it from tomorrow.
No.
Why wait?
Let's not waste another day or another second.
Instead of sitting and wailing out here, it's better
that we refocus.
This is war.
We will win the IBC.
Let's go, guys. Let's get to work.
Don't worry, guys. I won't sing lead.
Let's go!
The bottom four of the jugalbandi round will now
compete in the knockout round.
This bowl contains multiple chits for different genres.
Sir will pick them. Every band
will get five minutes to prepare and
three minutes to perform.
Just remember, today three bands will go back home
and only one band will go for the very first finale
of the India Band Championship.
So, bands ready?
I have gone and made things worse for myself. I'm very lost.
How can I possibly do this?
You always say that it's a crisis that fuels an artist.
The moment that we all have been waiting for.
One of these two amazing bands
will go through to the grand finale.
That is…
-Royalty Free! -Yeah!
Whoa!
What!
What! There you have it, friends!
In the top five bands
that will be performing, Royalty Free will be joining them.
So stay tuned.
Because we have a grand finale for you.
You know you're amazing, right?
I am not even ready yet.
No.
You are seriously amazing.
You know, you composed four songs on the spot. That's…
It's a big deal!
I am experienced in doing all of that, Ayaan.
That's why Nandini ma'am trusted me with it, that's all.
Listen, I am giving you credit. At least say thank you.
Thank you.
Why don't you wait for me downstairs?
For my show-stopper entry?
-Just go! -Hey!
Why?
Just go.
You're already late.
Radhe? Let's drink a little.
Then we can have mouth freshener after that.
Yes. Correct.
You both go ahead, I'll be there.
He'll arrange the snacks till then we'll go ahead.
-Every day is not Sunday. -It's okay.
You were looking for me, right?
Just kidding.
Radhe…
I know that you still…
have feelings for Tamanna.
I mean, what happened that night…
I mean you don't have to reciprocate my feelings.
And if you want to do something for me then just remember your promise.
Once I make you win the IBC,
then we'll work on my math album.
Deal?
Of course.
Cheers!
It's a mocktail.
Cheers!
I think.
Good evening, everyone!
I am very honored to say
India Band Championship
has found its top five finalists.
A huge round of applause!
We have a very special message from a very special person.
For two of our bands.
So please give it up for Queen Eli.
Guys, where's Tamanna?
-I'll call her. -We need her here quickly.
Hey, everyone. This is Queen Eli.
I would like to give a huge shoutout to all the bands
-at the India Band Championship. -The key.
A special shoutout to Radhe from the Rathod Gharana
who did a phenomenal job interpreting my song in a classical way.
But ultimately, Tamanna, you're the one who stole my heart.
I can't wait to see what you and your band Royalty Free will do next.
I wish I could have been there to witness
-you all perform at the finale. -Everyone's calling you, Tamanna.
But all my love to every single band fighting for the trophy. Good luck.
Where are you? Queen Eli has a message for you.
-Oh, my God, I can't believe it. -For the first edition of IBC
we thought we should start off
from where we are.
Correct? Where our roots are.
That's why, the theme
for this year's competition is roots!
You have to work with this theme
and create your own interpretation and present it in your own style
to perform an original song.
We can work with that.
We will do a fabulous job in this round.
We have a compilation full of songs.
And now in order to explain this theme better we have…
We will sing an absolutely adorable song.
Dad, Panditji had a composition, right?
A celebrity singer who needs no introduction.
What was it called? Sur…
-IBC is privileged to present… -Yes, "Sur Hi Parmatama…"
Mr. Digvijay Rathod.
Digvijay Rathod!
Yes, Digvijay Rathod.
The theme for the grand finale is amazing. Roots.
My father and my guru Pandit Radhe Mohan Rathod used to say
that music should stay anchored to its roots.
It's imperative.
If music loses itself
in being like the foliage, the flowers,
the leaves, the branches, and so on then
the music is bound to be destroyed.
Before you enter the grand finale
and explore your roots, I…
would like to present the roots of my Gharana to you.
Bandish.
BANDISH
Pandit Radhe Mohan Rathod and the Bikaner Gharana's
important compositions are collected in this work.
My father Radhe Mohan Rathod did this and today
I wish to present that collection to the entire world.
So, ladies and gentlemen,
our music is now live.
Listen to the album Bandish
on all the music platforms of your choice.
Now we won't be able to sing anything from the compilations.
He's fucked us over! We're fucked!
These compositions
include one Bandish that my father loved the most of all.
I would like to perform it for you today
and try to do justice to it.
"Sur Hi Parmatama. "
Don't. There are cameras everywhere.
We will deal with it later.
Now's not the time.
MOHINI
BANDISH
Radhe, I never thought that he…
It's all over.