Meet the Mastermind – Producer who transformed Mission: Impossible theme

From fans to newbies, Tom Cruise’s spy thriller franchise, Mission: Impossible, boasts an iconic theme that captivates all! Recently, a renowned Indian wedding band — JEA Band — made headlines as they took their captivating performance to the streets of the historic, walled city of Jaipur. In a video that went viral on social media platforms, the skilled musicians, dressed in their distinctive red and gold uniforms, showcased their talent by playing a lively rendition of the iconic Mission: Impossible theme.

The ensemble featured trumpets and drums, adding a vibrant touch to the familiar tune, garnering attention and admiration from viewers worldwide. Their delightful performance not only celebrated the spirit of Jaipur but also brought a unique twist to the iconic theme, leaving audiences in awe of their musical prowess. They performed it live ahead of the release of Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part One, the seventh instalment in the franchise series in Indian cinemas.

How did it happen? Well, let’s ask the creative genius behind it. It is none other than Aakash Gupta who leads a team at United Brains Out (UBO), a fast-growing media house. The venture collates interesting stories from the nooks and corners of the country to pitch them big names in the film industry. Gupta is a proud alumnus of Apeejay School, Saket in New Delhi. Read on as he shares more about this incredible collaboration. Edited excerpts from the interview.

What inspired the decision to recreate the Mission: Impossible theme with a wedding band in Jaipur?

It was born out of a desire to fuse two distinct yet iconic elements — the vibrant cultural tradition of Indian wedding bands and the globally recognised theme from the Mission: Impossible franchise. Additionally, the streets of Jaipur, with their colourful charm and bustling energy, provided the perfect backdrop for this unique experiment. The vision was to create an unforgettable experience for both the wedding band members, who could showcase their musical prowess in a distinctive way, and the onlookers, who would be pleasantly surprised by this unexpected fusion of East meets West.

So, it was purely passion for innovation, cultural exchange, and the desire to create a memorable and captivating audio-visual spectacle that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.

How did you come up with the concept?

When my team and I first presented the idea of creating a unique concept for Mission: Impossible 7 to Viacom18, they granted us a tight deadline of just three-four days to prepare and present the concept. And then our creative team immediately got together to brainstorm various ideas. However, for the next two days, we struggled to come up with an original and compelling concept.

Later, one evening, while my team and I were enjoying some chai and samosas, I happened to call a friend in Delhi to wish him a happy birthday. During the call, I could barely hear him due to loud music playing in the background from a wedding procession he was attending. He excitedly mentioned that he was dancing in the baraat, and the song being played was “Tequila.” Suddenly, inspiration struck me: What if we had an Indian wedding band play the iconic Mission: Impossible theme song? I shared this idea with my team, and they were instantly captivated by it.

Now, with a clear direction, the team started to brainstorm even more ideas on how to innovate and make the concept truly unique. After much deliberation, we decided to take a wedding band onto the bustling streets of a city and have them perform the Mission: Impossible theme song. The plan was to capture the genuine reactions of onlookers as they witnessed this unexpected and entertaining spectacle.

With the concept firmly in place, we wasted no time and approached Viacom18 to pitch the idea. To our delight, within just two hours, they gave us the green signal to proceed, and our pre-production process began immediately. That’s how our exciting concept came to life.

How did you approach the process of adapting the iconic theme song to suit the wedding band’s style and instrumentation?

Undoubtedly, this process turned out to be incredibly thrilling! With our concept approved, we embarked on the task of reaching out to various bands across Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow, Ludhiana, and more. One of our team members recommended two renowned bands from Jaipur. Since we were based in Mumbai, we contacted both bands over the phone. Mr Hemant from JEA Band showed great professionalism and attentiveness, carefully taking all the details about the theme music.

After a few hours, we received a call from Mr Hemant, expressing their band’s excitement to take on this project. To our surprise, the band’s leader, along with the entire crew, joined us for a virtual meeting, which was quite unexpected. They performed the theme song flawlessly, leaving us all with goose bumps. Their passion for the song was infectious, and they shared valuable inputs to make it even cooler. We were truly impressed by the team’s commitment and talent. It was evident that JEA Band was not only one of the oldest but also a well-updated band in Rajasthan, with a branch in Delhi as well. To ensure a top-notch recording, one of our team members travelled to Jaipur with a skilled sound recording engineer. They recorded the track at the band’s office premises, and the rest is history. The final output turned out to be exceptional, thanks to the incredible efforts of the Band. Their dedication and enthusiasm made this collaboration a resounding success.

Can you tell us about the creative challenges you encountered while reimagining such a well-known theme for a live performance?

From the very beginning, we knew that shooting in an uncontrolled environment would require a fairly simple concept. So, the plan was for the band to stand on the street and play the Mission: Impossible theme song while onlookers enjoyed the performance. Capturing these authentic moments was the essence of our concept.

However, during pre-production, we faced a multitude of questions and challenges. Finding the perfect location in Jaipur was a crucial aspect. We needed a place that would offer a vibrant local crowd, a backdrop showcasing the rich culture, foreign tourists, and a sunny summer day atmosphere. Additionally, being in a public space meant we had to obtain local administration approvals, permissions, and police support. To tackle these issues, I travelled with my team to Jaipur on a recce to explore nearly 20 potential locations. None seemed to be an ideal fit until we paid a visit to Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar for lassi, where the owner, an old friend of mine, suggested Chooti Chopad road close to his outlet. It turned out to be the perfect spot with all the necessary elements, including a police station nearby. With the location locked in, we decided to shoot on June 28, 2023 at this chosen spot.

Then, we approached the Rajasthan tourism department and secured the required permissions in just a few days. To ensure a flawless performance, we conducted an extensive rehearsal with JEA Band, finalising the crew, their attire, and checking the instruments. Afterwards, we returned to Mumbai to prepare for the upcoming shoot.

Then, our team of director and Director of Photography (DOP) sat and planned the entire shoot. We decided to have not one but three cameras to capture moments. Camera positioning was really important as we wanted all the shots to come out organic. Alongside, proper scheduling for editing was done beforehand so we exactly knew what shots we wanted. It was a very well planned pre-production shoot.

On June 26, our entire crew assembled in Jaipur, but unfortunately, we encountered heavy rainfall. Our hearts sank as our shoot was planned entirely outdoors. Despite the setback, we didn’t lose hope. We prayed for the rain to subside and got to work on last-minute preparations. Our director and DOP conducted a technical briefing at the location, while I coordinated with the local police and administration to organise traffic control, ensure police presence, arrange for an ambulance, and obtain clearance from the local municipal authorities.

Finally, after a long rehearsal and dress trial with JEA Band, we were ready for the big day. Call time was set for 9 am. On the day of the shoot, miraculously, the rain held off, and we were able to execute our unique concept without any weather hindrances. It was a momentous day for all of us, and the hard work and determination paid off splendidly.

What elements did you incorporate to give the wedding band’s rendition a unique and distinctive touch while staying true to the essence of the original theme?

To create a truly distinctive and captivating rendition of the Mission: Impossible theme, we carefully incorporated a variety of creative elements while staying true to the essence of the original composition. Our approach involved fusing the traditional sound of an Indian wedding band with the contemporary melody of the theme. By integrating instruments like dhol, shehnai, and trumpets with the iconic theme, we achieved a seamless and engaging fusion of musical styles.

The performance was also enriched with visually appealing choreography, where the band members synchronised their movements with the music, adding flair and excitement to the overall presentation. To enhance the authenticity and cultural relevance, we selected a picturesque location in Jaipur, reflecting the rich heritage of Rajasthan.

Our aim was not only to entertain but also to evoke emotions through the performance. By blending the thrill of the Mission: Impossible theme with the joyous and celebratory atmosphere of an Indian wedding band, we created a heartfelt and unforgettable experience for the audience.

As the producer of the song, what message or feeling do you hope to convey?

Through this performance, my team intends to showcase the beauty of cultural diversity and the power of music which transcends boundaries. The fusion of these elements represents a harmonious coming together of global influences and local traditions, symbolising the spirit of unity and togetherness. We want the audience to feel a deep sense of connection with both the familiar Hollywood theme and the heart-warming familiarity of a wedding band, celebrating the essence of music as a universal language that can bridge cultures and create memorable experiences.

Can you describe the overall atmosphere and mood?

It is one of exhilaration and excitement. The performance was designed to be a high-energy spectacle that infuses the celebratory ambiance of a wedding with the thrilling and suspenseful essence of the Mission: Impossible theme.

As the wedding band started playing the familiar melody, a sense of anticipation and intrigue filled the air. The onlookers become captivated by the unexpected and unique fusion of musical styles. The band’s vibrant and synchronised choreography added to the visual spectacle, drawing everyone’s attention to the performance.

Consequently, the atmosphere became charged with positivity and enthusiasm as the band engaged with the audience, inviting them to be a part of the performance. People started clapping, tapping their feet, and even dancing to the catchy beats. The mood oscillated between excitement and jubilation during the upbeat sections of the rendition. The band kept the energy levels high throughout the performance, maintaining a lively tempo to keep the audience engaged and enthralled.

Do you have any plans to continue experimenting with other iconic themes or genres in future performances?

We are always open to exploring new and innovative ideas for future performances. Experimenting with iconic themes or genres can be a thrilling and creative endeavour that allows us to push the boundaries of artistic expression. While the specific plans for future performances may not be defined yet, the success and positive response from this Mission: Impossible rendition with the wedding band in Jaipur could inspire us to explore similar fusions in the future. Spoiler!! Something might be coming soon, it’s best I keep this in suspense for now.