Arko Pravo Mukherjee: If Delhi and Kolkata food come together, it will beat the world

Writer-composer-singer Arko Pravo Mukherjee's 'Nazm Nazm', a breezy number from the recently released film 'Bareilly Ki Barfi', became an instant hit with listeners, but Arko says it was never easy to convince his parents about the choice of his career. In Delhi recently, Arko tells us about his journey from being a doctor to a music composer, his connection with Delhi and why he’s full of energy whenever he's in the capital.
'Love the vibe of Delhi - it’s full of action and love'
The Tere Sang Yara composer says, "Woh filmon mein kehte hain na – ‘Dilli dil walon ki’– isse sach aur kuch nahi ho sakta.I just love the vibe of things here. It is so lively, full of action and love. Yahan ka jo khana hai, jo log hain, architecture hai, parties hai, aur jo mohabbat hai – sabki alag hi baat hai. Every time I come here I am super excited. Usually, mornings are boring for me but not in Delhi. I don’t know why I am full of energy here."
‘If you throw a stone in CR Park, it'll unmistakably land in a Bengali home’
Arko has been visiting Delhi since childhood and loves to go to CR Park, which he says is an amalgamation of Delhi and Bengali culture. He tells us, "My aunt used to live in Delhi and I would visit her with my mom and dad. When I came to Mumbai from Kolkata, I had only one friend in Mumbai, Priyanshu Chatterjee, who is also from Delhi. So Delhi has always been special to me. I love going to CR Park because, you know, you throw a stone here and it will unmistakably land in a Bengali home. And if Delhi and Kolkata food come together, it can beat the world!"
A still from the song 'Nazm Nazm' from 'Bareilly Ki Barfi'
'It was difficult to convince my parents for a career in music'
Arko belongs to a family of academicians and hence the choice of becoming a doctor came naturally. He says that while he always had an inclination towards music, he never dared to tell his parents about his desire to pursue it as a career. He shares, "I come from an academic family where everyone is a doctor, professor, or engineer. Music exists in almost every household in Kolkata, but it is always a hobby. It is never considered as a career. After I finished my medicine and internship in Kolkata, it took me six months to gather courage to tell my mom and dad about my passion. It was difficult to convince my parents. Not every talented person is successful. A lot of things go into making someone successful, like talent, perseverance, luck, patience, and connections with people. Till the time I met (Mahesh) Bhatt sahab for 'Jism 2' and composed music for the film, my parents were worried about my future. But at last they were convinced that I am not into drugs!"