MUMBAI: Ram Sampath has his hands full and is up to some surprises in the coming months. Sampath has been signed on compose the score for a UTV feature film titled 'Film City' to be directed by UTV co founder Deven Khote, who takes the plunge into direction with this venture. This apart, Sampath, who courted a brief burst of fame last year when he dragged the Roshans to court over using his copyrighted tune for Krazzy 4, is working on two Aamir Khan productions - a film titled Delhi Belly and Dhobi Ghat (directed by Kiran Rao).

"The thing I really like about working on these projects is that these are not regular mainstream films - each story has a unique storyline," says Sampath. He is working on all the films simultaneously and is not sure about which film would be releasing first. However, he does reveal the kind of music he is working on for the much anticipated Delhi Belly.

Sampath reveals, "For Delhi Belly -its 'roots' music. It's going to be very earthy and organic - the focus would be more on the raw sound with subdued electronic elements." The versatile music composer is working with writers like Akshat Verma for the title track of Delhi Belly and Amitabh Bhattacharya of Dev D fame. "I am planning to get lyricist Neelesh Mishra on board the project as well."

Tough Times

Bollywood might never forget the landmark copyright case which Sampath won against the Roshans. Before filing the case, Sampat was told by his lawyer that he would be alienating many in the film industry by doing so, and may also lose out on many projects. However, the composer refused to put his foot down and finally won the case. Recalling the period, Sampath says, "I had absolutely no work after I won the case, no producer approached me." Apparently, the man who started as a jingle composer didn't even have jingle projects in hand for some time. When asked if things were changing slowly for him now, he says, "I have two projects with 'Aamir Khan Productions', so I guess it's fine now (laughs)."

After setting a strong example against plagiarism in the industry, Sampath was the point of discussion at this year's Baajaa Gaajaa seminar in Pune on Intellectual Property Rights where advocate T N Daruwala, who represented Sampath in the Sampath-Roshan Krazzy 4 case spoke about copyright issues.

Working Raat-Din

Besides film music, he is also working on his wife Sona Mohapatra's non-film music album titled Raat Din. "It's a concept album having songs of the day and songs of the night," he says. The album is in its initial stages and yet to be signed on by any label. He is also considering an international release for Raat Din, he says.