Chital Mehta’s Book Notes music playlist for her novel Have You Seen Romit? – Largehearted Boy
In the Book Notes series, authors create and discuss a music playlist that relates in some way to their recently published book.
Previous contributors include Jesmyn Ward, Lauren Groff, Bret Easton Ellis, Celeste Ng, T.C. Boyle, Dana Spiotta, Hanif Abdurraqib, Andrew Sean Greer, Roxane Gay, and many others.
Chital Mehta’s debut novel Have You Seen Romit? is a searing portrait of family and identity.
R. O. Kwon wrote of the book:
“A gripping, intensely moving portrayal of a woman whose ferocious love for her children ends up clashing with how others expect her to behave. I loved spending time with the rule-breaking Usha and with the complicated world Chital Mehta has conjured. Vivid, fresh, and resonant.”
In her own words, here is Chital Mehta’s Book Notes music playlist for her debut novel Have You Seen Romit?:
My novel, Have You Seen Romit? takes place in Southern India, where a middle-aged mother, Usha, goes looking for her missing son in the forests. Usha has never broken the rules, but for once, she must step outside the realms of what she thought was comfortable and safe. It is a story of defiance and relentlessness, delving deep into the true nature of connection and kinship under the most daunting of circumstances.
I put together this playlist, songs that helped me take a deep dive into the head of my protagonist, Usha, and allowed me to step inside her world. Most tracks, especially the ones from Kishore Kumar, are part of my childhood, songs that my father played in our house, urging us to connect with the songs of his era. Back then, I was averse to this music. As I drafted Have You Seen Romit? I pictured Usha in her house with the faded walls; I picked these songs to put me directly into her settings, a slow domestic life that is disturbed by an upending problem.
This soundtrack is like my brain – soft, loud, quiet, and cheerful. Pour yourself a cup of chai as you take a listen.
Kisi baat par main kisise khafa hoon from the movie Bemisal – Kishore Kumar
A timeless musical by singer Kishore Kumar. This song is filled with lyrics that speak about pain and love. I listened to it as it helped me flesh out the relationship between Usha and her husband, the quietness in their marriage, and the unsaid things. They enjoy listening to Hindi classics while they navigate life.
Kala Chasma from the movie Baar Baar Dekho – Badshah and Prem Hardeep
An upbeat, energetic number. It’s hard not to shake a leg when this one comes on. The wedding party in Have You Seen Romit? features this song. I found it tacky with its catchy lyrics. It’s beautiful how this song can bring any dance party to life.
Dekha Ek Khwab from the movie Silsila – Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar
This song doesn’t appear in the book. But I do mention the name of the movie, in which the characters Om and Usha enjoy watching it. This comes from having seen my father talk about this classic song while I was growing up. It’s an evergreen song. I played this song as I wrote the first chapter of Have You Seen Romit?
Mehendi Hai Rachnewali from the movie Zubeidaa – Alka Yagnik
Rich, colorful, vibrant. The henna ceremony of any Indian wedding is not just an event, but also about the unspoken future that comes after the wedding. In Have You Seen Romit?, Pari misses her brother but can’t help longing for a future that belongs to her. This song from Alka Yagnik is soft and soulful.
Musafir Hoon Yaaron from the movie Parichay – Kishore Kumar
Although I don’t travel so much, I walk a lot. This song talks about travelling, about how no one place is home, and about adapting to the changing landscapes of life. When I uprooted my character, Usha, from her home and put her in a place that was foreign to her, this song came to my rescue.
Phoolon Ka Taron Ka from the movie Hare Rama Hare Krishna – Kishore Kumar
Raksha Bandhan. The sibling ceremony. In my novel, I highlight the relationship between the siblings. It’s rocky, yet they come together every year to celebrate their bond. There are rakhis, the gift exchange, the tikka, the rice, and the sweets. The brothers are always there for their sister regardless of the rift between them.
Ekla Cholo re from the movie Kahaani – Amitabh Bachchan
A patriotic song originally written by Rabindranath Tagore was adapted in the mystery movie, Kahaani. In this song, Vidya Balan embarks on a journey to find the answers to the death of her husband. She is mostly alone. The lyrics are Bengali, but the emotions are raw. I pictured Usha walking alone to find her missing son in the thick forests with this song in the background.
Kal Ho Na Ho from the movie Kal Ho Na Ho- by Sonu Nigam
This song defined my teenage years. Yet, the lyrics still help me navigate through life as an adult. As I wrote the draft, I was often tired, wanting to give up. Kal Ho Na Ho, which means you don’t know if there will be a tomorrow. This is the moment. Hearing this soothing number always brings peace to my chaotic head.
Happier by Marshmello and Bastille
As I wrote the pages when Usha decided to start looking for her son, Happier played in the back of my head. It’s hard to let go, but sometimes, so important. It evoked the mood as I slipped into Usha’s skin and made the decision to leave her home behind.
English Vinglish from the movie English Vinglish – Shilpa Rao
Sridevi outshines in this number. Her flaws, her fears, her imperfections – everything becomes crystal clear. I bring out similar characteristics in Usha as she embarks on unlearning and learning new things when she picks a deviation from her daily life.
See You Again – Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth
Pain can be a good fuel for writing. This song helped me pause on days when I struggled with the writing. Or, even on days when life seemed to move faster and I couldn’t keep up. The lyrics talk about meeting a friend on the other side of death, but it’s also a good reminder to slow down and connect with the ones who mean the most.
Muskaanein Jhooti Hai from the movie Talaash– Suman Sridhar
Uncertainity. Betrayal. Secrets. From the thriller, Talaash, this song accompanied me during times of not-knowing which was most days. Singer Suman’s voice played in the back of my head on nights when the words refused to come. This haunting, jazz infused track is a must listen to crush those evil voices inside your head.
Chital Mehta was born and raised in India. Her short stories have appeared in the Pinch, Oyez Review, SLAB magazine, and elsewhere. Her story “Damaged Gifts” won the SLAB fiction contest in 2022. She lives in Delaware with her husband and children. Visit her website at chitalmehtajey.com.
