‘Erao Manush’ music unveiled: Akriti Kakar, Javed Ali lend voices to an emotional soundtrack

The event offered a glimpse into the film’s exploration of life and emotions on the fringes of society.

Singer Akriti Kakar said, "When Balasai Lahiri, the music director of this film approached me, I asked him to send me the song. And when he did, I was so happy. Because I get to hear dance type songs 90% of the time. And it was amazing that he considered me a very emotional and different type of song. It is so beautiful, and when I heard it, in a second I said yes, I am singing this."

Singer Akriti Kakar performing her song live for the audience. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

The film's soundtrack comprises five songs, featuring voices including Akriti Kakar, Javed Ali, June Banerjee, Kartik Das Baul, Surojit Chatterjee and Siddhartha Sankar Ray (Sidhu), with the compositions ranging from romantic melodies to dance numbers.

Singer Javed Ali added, "The subject of this film is those who are affected by mental issues. It is a social message of our society. I am feeling very blessed to be a part of this film. As a Bengali song has its own essence and sweetness, I truly enjoyed my voice in it and I'm sure the audience will love it too."

At the heart of Erao Manush is the psychological landscape of people whom society often labels as "mad", as the story searches for true humanity and selfless love in unexpected places. Set partly around a mental asylum, the narrative explores the uncertain space between reality and madness.

Actor Jeetu Kamal speaking to the audience at the music launch of Erao Manush. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS 

"The base of the film is different from others. No one usually does a story like this where there is a lot of discrimination in our society. Our society still tends to hide the problem of mind and refrain from going to a psychiatrist. This film is about that. I'm a die-hard Shah Rukh Khan fan, where in Dear Zindagi he has done a similar story like this," actor Jeetu Kamal added.

The story also brings in tense undercurrents surrounding organ trafficking and complex personal conflicts. Actor Jeetu Kamal takes on a challenging role, in this film, with multiple facets within a single character, sharing the screen with Srabanti Gintu Chatterjee.

Actress Srabanti Gintu Chatterjee said, "Erao Manush is about the people who are mentally sick and how three friends come together in a mental hospital and what happens to them, to find you have to watch the film. And what I liked in this film the most is its songs. Every song in it is so heart-touching that I'm sure everyone will love it as much as I did."

Srabanti Chatterjee speaking to the audience at the music launch of Erao Manush. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS 

Directed by Sai Prakash Lahiri and Amit Talukdar, the film also features late Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, Biswanath Basu, Satyam Bhattacharya and Koneenica Banerjee, among others. Erao Manush is set to hit the theatres on September 18.

(Reporting by Aaheli Chakraborty, Photos by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)