The Unseen Character Onscreen
Think of a background score not as a passive addition, but as an active character in the story. It’s the narrator that doesn’t use words, telling you how to feel about what you’re seeing. Before a single line of dialogue is spoken, the music has already
set the scene, establishing a mood of tension, joy, or melancholy. This is a deliberate craft. Composers and directors know that sound directly connects to the emotional centres of our brain. A slow melody in a minor key can signal sadness, while a fast-paced, rhythmic track can build excitement for an action sequence. This emotional guidance is why a powerful score can transform a good scene into an unforgettable one.
The Science of Sonic Emotion
There's a fascinating science to how our brains interpret music. Neuroscientists have found that music can trigger the release of various chemicals in the brain, much like a drug, arousing feelings of euphoria and craving. Different musical elements are processed in specific ways. For example, our brains associate fast tempos and major keys with happiness and energy, while slow tempos and minor keys often evoke feelings of sadness or introspection. Composers use these psychological shortcuts to create an immediate emotional response. A sudden, dissonant chord in a horror series creates discomfort, while a soaring string section during a reunion amplifies the feeling of relief and joy. It’s a form of subconscious communication that works directly on our feelings, bypassing rational thought.
Giving Characters a Musical Signature
One of the most powerful techniques in scoring is the 'leitmotif'. This is a short, recurring musical theme associated with a specific character, place, or idea. Think of the instantly recognisable, swaggering theme from 'Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story'. That piece of music is Harshad Mehta. Whenever you hear it, it reinforces his confidence and ambition, even when he isn't on screen. This musical signature helps to build a strong, subconscious connection between the audience and the character. A leitmotif can also evolve; a hero's triumphant theme might be played in a slower, more sombre key to reflect their defeat, adding another layer to the storytelling without a single word.
Diegetic vs. Non-Diegetic Sound
Music in a series generally falls into two categories. The first is 'diegetic' sound, which exists within the world of the story—music coming from a car radio, a song being performed at a wedding, or a tune someone is humming. The characters can hear this music. An example is a song like 'Ae Re Sakhi' playing during a sangeet function in 'Made In Heaven'. The second, and more common, is 'non-diegetic' sound, also known as the underscore or background music. This is the music that only the audience can hear. It’s the orchestral swell during a dramatic confession or the tense, rhythmic pulse during a chase. This music is purely for emotional effect, guiding the viewer’s feelings without being part of the characters' reality.
The Powerful Impact of Silence
Just as important as the music itself is its absence. A scene that suddenly cuts the score can create immense tension and focus. Imagine a tense standoff between two characters in a show like 'Mirzapur'. If the driving, percussive music abruptly stops, the sudden silence forces you to lean in, your attention entirely fixed on the actors' expressions and the ambient sounds of the scene. This quiet can feel more deafening and suspenseful than any musical cue. Directors use silence to create a stark, realistic moment, pulling the viewer out of the curated emotional landscape of the score and grounding them in the raw intensity of the scene. It's a reminder that what isn't played can be just as impactful as what is.
