A couple’s hashtag might be a modern wedding tradition, but what if your love story could have its very own song? A tune so perfectly crafted that every time you revisit your wedding video, it feels like a scene from a Bollywood fairytale. In a world where wedding videos are often just a collection of moments, one visionary is turning them into cinematic masterpieces. With his innovative approach, Vishal Punjabi of The Wedding Filmer not only brings depth and dimension to every frame but weaves it with a song that encapsulates the chemistry you share with your bae.
Previously, Vishal gave us an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the beautiful and intimate wedding of PV Sindhu and Venkatta Datta – a story never shared before. This time, we take a deeper dive into his creative process, exploring how he seamlessly integrates the perfect songs into his films, elevating each moment with the right melody and emotion.
Talking about building a strong musical identity and incorporating original music into his work, he says, “I come from the school of Bollywood, and working with Farah Khan gave me a unique insight into how visual compositions are crafted. Take Main Hoon Na, for example, where the title of the film is embedded in the song. Or Kabira, which tells the story of a boy finding himself – it’s not about the bride or groom, but crafting the original idea behind the song is what excites me the most.”
“In weddings, I didn’t want to just make a slideshow or use Coldplay and Arijit Singh. Instead, I wanted to create something original. Music is in my blood; the first song I created was because it didn’t exist.”
Fueled by a desire to move beyond the usual conventional films, he found inspiration in an unexpected moment when his aunt sang ‘Dil Shagna Da’ at a wedding. He shares, “My aunt performed this song, although the solo wasn’t perfect, the notes and the moment were beautiful, and the melody was haunting. When I came back, I reached out to a friend to help me recreate it, reworking the composition. We later had it re-sung by Runaa Rizvii, who had worked with AR Rahman before. I wanted to add a contemporary touch, so I gave him the pace and scale that felt right.”
That’s how the song, which today is loved and used by many for their own wedding film, was born. Later picked up by many, including Anushka Sharma, who featured it in her movie, several versions of the song were released by different artists. “Through this, we helped create an entire industry of wedding music, inspiring artists who were struggling to find work to begin creating music specifically for weddings,” Punjabi adds.
His wedding films unfold like a romantic movie, and we couldn’t help but wonder how he adds that personal yet emotional touch through music to capture each couple’s unique story in a soundtrack. To that, he says, “I keep it real and stay very alert when filming a wedding. I pay attention to what the bride and groom are listening to while getting ready, what song they danced to, what languages they speak, and where the wedding is taking place – whether it’s in Dubai or Rajasthan. All these details help me understand the soundscape of the film I’m creating, and I believe music should always serve a specific purpose.”
He also shared the story behind one of his songs called ‘Ye Aashiqui’, which tells the tale of a couple who initially dated in school, grew up together, then parted ways and eventually realised that those paths weren’t what they truly wanted. The heartwarming story captures decades of waiting and the entire transformative journey of love, from the innocence of puppy love to the deep connection they share in the present. Reflecting on how he aims to keep the essence of authenticity alive and how the lyrics can imbibe the ethos of the wedding, he shares, ‘Like for Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli’s film, the song “Peer Vi Tu,” wonderfully mirrored the Sufi atmosphere of their wedding.
To make any story come alive in a song, it should be layered and powerful enough to convey a specific emotion. Take the song ‘Ik Onkar’ from Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s wedding film, sung live by Harshdeep Kaur, for instance – it showcases how the song was deeply backed by purpose. He shares, “The song features Konkani verses, representing Deepika’s roots, adding an extra layer of meaning to the piece. It’s the kind of piece that reveals its uniqueness as you begin to recreate it, because songs like this don’t already exist. I believe that to create something timeless and truly distinct, one must dive deeper, connect with the couple, and understand their story at its core.”
So, what does it take to make a film or song truly timeless? Vishal believes that the lyrics need to delve deeper and carry an essence that resonates beyond the film. He recalls, “We recently shot our first gay wedding, and the song for it spoke about finding love amidst chaos – how the couple navigated through trials and tribulations to find themselves. Translating that journey into music, and making others understand and resonate with it, is what makes it timeless.”
When couples seek the perfect song to mirror their love story at their wedding, many are drawn to Bollywood or traditional folk songs that hold personal meaning. But for Vishal, the challenge isn’t just about picking a popular track – it’s about creating something that authentically resonates with their journey. “I usually try to avoid covers,” he says, “If a song already exists, why remake it?”
However, there are instances where the couple might share a special connection with a pre-existing song. For example, for Sidharth and Kiara, the song ‘Ranjha’ held a special place in their hearts, as they had performed it together. But there was one huge challenge in using the song – the movie version ended on a sorrowful note. But that did not stop Vishal from giving them their dream wedding film, and he decided to work his magic by modifying the lyrics to make them fit their celebration. He adds, “Each couple brings new challenges because everyone connects with music differently. My job is to merge what they feel with what I believe is creatively and romantically fitting, ensuring it perfectly captures their unique story.”
When asked which is more demanding – reworking a song that already exists or composing something original that embodies the couple’s narrative – he replied, “Challenges lie in both. Right now, if we’re working on an original song, and it’s from a culture I’ve never encountered before, like when I started working with Rajasthani folk, I hadn’t listened to that kind of music before I began The Wedding Filmer. I didn’t understand it, nor was I familiar with the notes or the ragas. Only now, when I have started immersing myself in that genre more, do I understand why and how it’s made a certain way.”
Vishal’s love for music goes beyond notes and melodies – it’s about immersing himself in cultures. He shares, “I visit these weddings, listen to the performances they play, and engage with the musicians afterward. That’s when you truly begin to understand why and how the music is composed the way it is – there are stories behind folk songs. With Ranjha, it’s almost like a sequel – the sad song continues, but now they’ve reunited. Working on music like this has certainly broadened my horizons in terms of what I listen to.”
He also shared with us how music had always been his passion, but it wasn’t until he started The Wedding Filmer that he had the opportunity to truly pursue it. “Music taught me a lot. It taught me about the gravity of expression and how to say something in a very short span of time.
When asked which song from one of his own compositions would he pick to define love, he beautifully answers, “I think it would be the song Vekheya, since the song beautifully articulates what it feels like to find yourself in someone’s eyes and understand how much joy someone you love can bring to you. And when you go through heartbreak, that’s when you realise how much joy love truly brings you. It’s that feeling, and whenever I hear it, it brings a smile to my face. Also, since it’s Punjabi and has a pace that mirrors life, yes, that’s the one.”
Over the next few weeks, Vishal Punjabi’s The Wedding Filmer plans on releasing original compositions from their repository, consisting of over 60 songs. “We are releasing a library of over 60 songs that I’ve made over the span of 15 years,” shares Punjabi.
To wrap up the interview, we asked Vishal to pick a song that best represents the soundtrack of his life. Without hesitation, he chose Meri Yaade. He further explains, “To truly understand someone, you need to know their memories. Only by reflecting on the past can we shape a better future and avoid repeating the same mistakes.” The song explores how many of us long for an easy love story, but some love stories are anything but easy, and that doesn’t make them any less beautiful. In fact, their beauty often lies in their complexity, especially once you truly understand them.
Vishal concluded with a poignant lyric from the song: “Mujhe jaana ho toh pehchan lo meri yaade”, meaning “To truly know me, you have to understand my memories.”