POPCORN Inc. on ‘Savera’, Collaboration & Creative Risk-Taking

POPCORN Inc. has built a reputation for blending diverse musical influences while embracing collaboration at every stage of the creative process.

The collective’s latest release, ‘Savera’, continues that approach through a song that balances warmth, intimacy and emotional depth.

Inspired by the first light of a new day, the track explores hope, longing and human connection through a dreamy soundscape and understated groove.

Its gentle atmosphere makes it equally suited to quiet reflection and shared moments, while its layered production highlights the group’s commitment to thoughtful songwriting.

In an interview with DESIblitz, POPCORN Inc. discuss the origins of ‘Savera’, the collaborative process behind its creation and the lessons that continue to shape their music.

Shaping the Song’s Emotional Core

For POPCORN Inc., ‘Savera’ began with a spontaneous creative spark.

The collective’s latest release carries a sense of warmth and optimism that feels deeply personal, and that emotional authenticity can be traced back to the circumstances in which it was written.

The song emerged during a songwriting session after vocalist Vedang Gaikwad shared an instrumental created by Pune-based producer Aniket Patole.

POPCORN Inc. explain: “The track came to life during one of our songwriting sessions when Vedang, the voice behind the song, played an instrumental produced by Aniket Patole, a Pune-based producer.

“We instantly connected with it and began working on the song in the evening. By the time we had finished shaping it, dawn had arrived.

“That transition from night to morning left a deep impression on us. You can still sense that stillness, warmth, and quiet optimism in the sound.

“In many ways, the song became a reflection of that experience, a gentle awakening, both emotionally and musically, much like the first light of day.”

That sense of emotional awakening became central to the track’s identity. Rather than forcing a narrative onto the music, the collective allowed the atmosphere surrounding the writing process to guide its direction.

The calmness that listeners often associate with ‘Savera’ was also born from a very real experience, as POPCORN Inc. say:

“Most of the melody and lyrics were written during the early morning hours. We were sitting by a window as a soft beam of sunlight filtered through the curtains.

“It was in that moment that the word ‘Savera’ came to us, and everyone instantly connected with it.

“From that point on, the song naturally began to revolve around feelings of hope, emotional awakening, and the quiet excitement that comes with the start of something new.

“Interestingly, we didn’t consciously try to force those themes into the music.

“While writing the song, there were moments when we almost slipped into a trance-like state, allowing the music to find its own flow and direction. We simply followed where it wanted to go.

“Looking back, if we had overthought every decision or approached the song too analytically, that natural magic might not have happened.

“Sometimes the best songs emerge when you trust the process and let the music lead the way.”

That willingness to trust instinct is a recurring theme in POPCORN Inc.’s creative philosophy.

Balancing Hope, Longing and Musical Restraint

Although ‘Savera’ is built around themes of new beginnings, POPCORN Inc. were careful not to reduce the track to a simple story of optimism.

They say: “When we first heard the instrumental track, there was no preconceived idea of what it should be about.

“But the moment the word ‘Savera’ entered the picture, the journey naturally became one of hope, and the sense of renewal that every new morning brings.

“At the same time, we didn’t want the song to be one-dimensional. Life rarely exists in only light or only darkness, and ‘Savera’ reflects that full emotional spectrum.

“While the verses carry a feeling of optimism and new beginnings, there are also moments of melancholy woven into the song, particularly in the hook, where the emotion shifts toward longing and missing someone or something.

“In many ways, that’s what shaped the identity of the track. It’s not just about the arrival of a new dawn; it’s about everything we carry with us into it.

“The hope, the memories, the longing, and the excitement all coexist, making the experience feel more human and relatable.”

That emotional balance extends beyond the lyrics and into the production itself.

POPCORN Inc. are known for groove-oriented music, but they recognised early on that excessive movement could undermine the delicate atmosphere they wanted to preserve.

“As the melody and lyrics began to take shape, we realised that some of the groove elements were a little too prominent, so we carefully refined the arrangement, removing or softening certain elements to create more room.

“The idea was to ensure that the groove complemented the song’s warm and dreamy atmosphere rather than overpowering it.”

The approach reflects a wider production philosophy within the collective.

POPCORN Inc. say: “As a rule of thumb, the melody and lyrics are the most important elements of a song for us. Unless, of course, we’re working on an instrumental piece.

“From there, the process is quite simple: every element, whether it’s the kick, snare, bass, pads, or any experimental texture, has to serve those two pillars both sonically and emotionally.

“We love pushing boundaries and exploring unconventional sounds, but the moment an element starts drawing attention away from the song’s emotional core, it’s usually a sign that we’ve gone too far.

“In fact, there have been many instances where we’ve leaned heavily into experimentation, only to realise later that it was overshadowing the feeling we were trying to convey.

“In those cases, we’re not afraid to dial things back, rework the idea, or even scrap it entirely and start afresh.

“At the end of the day, experimentation is a tool, not the destination. If a sound enhances the emotion of the song, it stays. If it doesn’t, it has to go.”

Inside the Collaborative Process

Collaboration sits at the centre of POPCORN Inc.’s identity. Unlike traditional artist projects driven by a single creative voice, the collective thrives on collaboration.

“Collaboration and teamwork is at the heart of everything we do at POPCORN Inc.

“Every artist brings a different perspective, skill set, and musical sensibility to the table, and that exchange of ideas is what helps a track evolve beyond its original form.

“Savera is a great example of that. The track was primarily produced by Aniket Patole, who created the sonic foundation that immediately resonated with us.

“Sahil Mishra then developed the melody and lyrics, shaping the emotional core of the song. When Vedang came on board, his voice brought a completely new dimension to the track.

“Kasim Khan and Hussain Khan, virtuosos of Rajasthani folk music, added depth and character to the chorus, elevating the songwriting. Vinayak contributed his own creative touches to the arrangement and production, helping refine the overall sound.

“We would also like to mention Aman Moroney, who played an integral role as executive producer as well as the mixing and mastering engineer.

“His creative inputs went beyond the technical side of things; the flute in the interlude, which is played by very talented Hrishikesh Majumdar, and the tabla in the second verse were both his ideas, and they became important elements of the song’s identity.”

The range of contributors involved in ‘Savera’ highlights how POPCORN Inc. merges contemporary production with diverse musical influences.

The artist duo state: “One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that you can’t, and probably shouldn’t try to do everything by yourself. It’s a lesson we’ve learned the hard way over the years.

“There’s a beautiful word in Hindi: Sangeet, which means music.

“It can be thought of as two words – Sang, meaning ‘together’, and Geet, meaning ‘song’.

“Whether or not that’s the formal linguistic origin, we love the sentiment behind it because it perfectly reflects how we see music. Music was never meant to be created in isolation.

“Every time we collaborate with producers, singers, composers, lyricists, or instrumentalists, they bring a fresh perspective to the table.

“Often, they’ll hear something we don’t, challenge an assumption, or suggest an idea that takes the song in an entirely new direction. Those moments have helped us explore creative territories we might never have discovered on our own.

“More importantly, you realise that the best idea in the room can come from anyone.

“At the end of the day, we’re all in service of the song, and in our experience, the strongest songs are almost always the result of great teamwork and a shared creative vision.”

When Experimentation Matters

For a collective that regularly blends genres and explores unconventional ideas, experimentation remains a defining characteristic of POPCORN Inc.’s work.

Yet the group’s most memorable creative breakthroughs often arrive unexpectedly.

One of the clearest examples came during the final stages of ‘Savera’.

“There have been quite a few, but this one is a bit crazy. The master of ‘Savera’ was already ready, and we were having a final listening session with Aman Moroney.

“Suddenly, he paused the track and said, ‘Can we add a tabla in the second verse?’

“We were all taken by surprise. The song was scheduled to be delivered the very same day, and we only had a few hours left before ingestion.

“To be honest, we weren’t even sure if a tabla would work with the overall sonic palette of the track.

“We somehow managed to get Vaibhav Duratkar, an incredible tabla player from Nagpur, into the studio at the last minute. He came in and simply did his magic.

“When we finally heard the updated version, it completely elevated that section of the song, like icing on the cake.

“Fun fact is that many listeners have since messaged us specifically about that section and how much they loved it. That’s the beauty of experimentation; sometimes the best ideas arrive when you least expect them.”

Stories like that illustrate why the collective remains committed to taking creative risks. However, POPCORN Inc. believe innovation alone is not enough in an increasingly crowded music landscape.

“For us, the goal isn’t necessarily to create something that has never been done before or to be different for the sake of being different.

“It’s more about finding fresh ways to express ourselves while staying true to our musical roots.”

“At the end of the day, what matters most is whether the music connects with people emotionally.

“If a song can offer listeners something fresh while still feeling honest and relatable, then we’ve achieved what we set out to do.”

The story behind ‘Savera’ reflects many of the qualities that define POPCORN Inc. as a collective.

From trusting creative instincts to embracing unexpected ideas, every stage of the song’s development was shaped by collaboration and a shared focus on emotion.

The group’s willingness to experiment remains central to its identity, but never at the expense of connection or authenticity.

As ‘Savera’ demonstrates, their strongest ideas emerge when different creative voices come together in service of the song.

Listen to ‘Savera’