Savera is a singer-songwriter and music composer who first rose to prominence through his Bollywood collaborations, notably teaming with composer OAFF on the Gehraiyaan soundtrack (which featured their viral hit song Doobey). Now, he has ventured into the independent music scene with his debut EP Strongest Boy Alive. This seven-track collection serves as a deeply personal exploration of stillness, grief, and healing. The EP, written and produced entirely by Savera, marks a significant artistic milestone as he steps forward to tell his own story outside of a film context.
Early Inspirations and Musical Roots
Like most artists, Savera's early beginnings trace back to childhood. 'My earliest memory of being in love with music was watching my seniors in boarding school play guitar, listening to cassettes of artists from the late 90s,' Savera recalls. Growing up as a ’90s kid in a boarding school exposed him to music at an early age and instilled a sense of discipline. This early fascination with the guitar and retro cassettes set the foundation for his musical pursuits. It also shaped his resilient mindset. Being in boarding school from the age of five meant learning to appear strong at all times, a theme that would later inspire the title Strongest Boy Alive.
In his professional journey, Savera initially made a name in Bollywood music production. However, he has always retained the heart of a singer-songwriter. This dual identity would eventually converge in his independent work.
Writing for Himself vs. Writing for Bollywood
Having worked on Bollywood projects, Savera understands the contrast between creating personal music and composing for films. 'The difference in the process of writing your work versus Bollywood is that in this case, you build a brief/theme for yourself. Which is both liberating and scary at the same time,' he explains. In Bollywood, a composer often works within a predetermined brief, writing to fit a director’s vision or a movie’s narrative. By contrast, crafting his own EP meant complete creative freedom: he had to set his theme and expectations. This freedom was exhilarating but also daunting, as no external script or character was guiding the songwriting.
A key element behind Strongest Boy Alive was Savera’s mindful approach to creating music. 'Stillness has played a very important role in my life. What I mean by that is taking things slow. I didn’t have to force myself to write this album, most of it just came through noodling on the guitar and singing and hundreds of voice notes,' he reveals. Rather than rushing production, he let songs emerge organically over time. Savera spent considerable time away from the bustle of Mumbai, finding inspiration in quieter moments.
Personal Stories behind the Songs
When listening to Strongest Boy Alive, it’s evident that each track is deeply autobiographical. 'All of the songs in this album are inspired by different experiences and observations that I’ve come to understand. The title track, for example, is a reflection of myself as a kid and all the things that I was taught to be,' Savera says. In other words, the album’s title track harkens back to the lessons of toughness and resilience ingrained in him during childhood.
Together, these songs weave a candid narrative of Savera’s life, beautifully portraying the imperfect beauty of the human experience. By sharing stories of childhood pressures, personal loss, love, and growth, he invites listeners to find pieces of their own lives in the music.
Collaboration and Key Contributors
Even though the EP is a solo project at heart, Savera believes strongly in the power of collaboration. 'I adore both Burrah and Nikhita and have been wanting to work with them on some independent music for a while. Collaboration is key to making music, and I seized this opportunity. My wife was also a major collaborator in this process,' he notes.
Burrah’s contribution comes on Veer Mere, where his soulful Punjabi vocals helped bring the personal tribute to life. Savera trusted Burrah completely with this song’s sensitive subject, saying that Burrah was 'the only person who could bring Veer Mere to life'. The two had previously worked together on Coke Studio (for the track Udja), so a strong creative bond already existed. This camaraderie made the emotionally heavy process of recording Veer Mere smoother and more genuine.
Although Savera has produced songs for Bollywood films, he has never lost sight of his roots as an independent musician. 'Although I produce for Bollywood, I am originally a singer-songwriter. And I think that the sound and feel have remained true in this album. If you listen closely, I try to bring small flavours of that sound to Bollywood as well,' he says.
Reception and What’s Next
For Savera, finally releasing his EP has been both a relief and a joy. 'This album has been a huge relief for me. Simply because I had been sitting with these songs for quite a while. I’m pleased with all the kind messages and love that I’m receiving from my fans and I can’t thank them enough. It means the world to me,' he shares gratefully. The early reception has indeed been encouraging; the first two singles, Aahista and Veer Mere garnered significant acclaim upon release, and listeners have resonated with the EP’s honest storytelling.
Buoyed by the response, Savera is already looking ahead to the next chapter. He is planning to take Strongest Boy Alive on the road with live performances, eager to recreate the EP’s intimate atmosphere on stage. The upcoming live show is already taking shape, and he hints that the setlist may even include some new, unreleased songs alongside the EP tracks. Savera’s fans, old and new, can certainly look forward to more such honest and soulful music as he continues to grow, on his terms, yet together with the listeners who share in his experiences.
Words Harita Odedara
2.07.2025