The commercial performance of Bollywood action film Alpha may not have matched expectations, but young music directors and singers Aabir Pandit and Rohanash Pandit have no regrets about their work on the project. For the sons of veteran composer Lalit Pandit, the film represents far more than a commercial release. It marks the beginning of their professional journey in the Hindi film music industry and an opportunity that arrived at an unusually young age.
Aabir and Rohanash made their debut as singers and music directors with Alpha, taking responsibility for the film’s complete music album. Starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, the film is part of Yash Raj Films’ spy universe and was mounted as a large-scale action production. Aabir was only 18 and Rohanash 21 when they took on the demanding assignment.
The scale of the project meant considerable responsibility for the two newcomers. Yet they approached the opportunity as a chance to establish themselves creatively rather than simply as a major professional break.
The brothers say their decision to work together was never the result of a formal plan. Their shared passion for music and natural understanding of each other gradually led them towards collaboration. Their creative opinions do not always coincide, but they regard those differences as part of the artistic process.
When they disagree over an idea, the brothers discuss the possibilities, experiment with different approaches and ultimately choose what works best for the music. That process has allowed them to maintain a collaborative relationship without sacrificing their individual creative instincts.
Their father, Lalit Pandit, has also played an important role in shaping their approach to the profession. Lalit and his brother Jatin Pandit have been prominent figures in Hindi film music for decades. Growing up around that musical legacy gave Aabir and Rohanash an early connection with the industry, although both are keen to develop identities of their own rather than rely solely on their family name.
Before they began work on Alpha, Lalit offered advice that the brothers continue to value. He told them that success and failure are both inevitable parts of a creative career, and that their love for music should remain more important than the outcome of any individual project. He also encouraged them to remain honest to their artistic instincts and approach every assignment with the enthusiasm and dedication they would bring to their first piece of work.
Aabir’s route into Alpha was preceded by another valuable experience. He worked as an assistant director during the filming of War 2. The experience allowed him to observe established performers at close quarters and see how director Ayan Mukerji managed a large production. It also gave him an understanding of how much coordination between different departments is required to bring a major film together.
Aabir has also expressed an interest in acting. Although music remains his primary focus for now, he has not ruled out pursuing acting alongside his musical career in the future.
For both brothers, the responsibility attached to Alpha was substantial. The film formed part of Yash Raj Films’ expanding spy universe and centred on two female protagonists in a large-scale action setting. Creating the entire soundtrack for such a production at the beginning of their careers naturally brought pressure.
Director Shiv Rawail, however, provided them with a clear understanding of the musical direction required for the film. Producer Aditya Chopra’s guidance was also an important part of the process. With that framework in place, the brothers were able to develop the music while working within the demands of a major commercial production.
The film’s eventual commercial performance did not meet expectations, but Rohanash says that has not diminished their sense of achievement. Everyone involved in Alpha invested a considerable amount of time and effort in the project, with the director and music team working on it for more than two years.
For the brothers, the final box-office outcome therefore does not erase the significance of what they achieved. Rohanash has stressed that every film has its own trajectory, while a first film can only happen once. Making their debut on a Yash Raj Films production was, in their view, a fortunate beginning to their careers.
Alpha was released in cinemas on 3 July and subsequently arrived on Netflix on 28 August. Regardless of its theatrical performance, the project has given the young musicians experience of working on a major production and greater confidence as they plan their next steps.
Aabir and Rohanash now want to build a distinctive musical identity beyond their debut. They plan to experiment with different sounds, collaborate with a range of artists and continue releasing music of their own. For the brothers, Alpha is not being treated as a measure of where their careers will end. It is the starting point from which they intend to build a longer journey in music.
