Your latest song, ‘Show Me The Thumka’ from ‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar’ has been getting positive reviews. How does it feel?
The reviews are amazing. I didn’t expect it, actually. It feels great. I am really glad that people are accepting the song with so much love. I want this love to continue. I hope that they enjoy the song for a long time.
Did you have fun while recording the song?
The recording was not just one but many sessions. There were different versions of the lyrics. Each time there were new quirks to the words. The other options were great as well. Amitabh da (Amitabh Bhattacharya) always writes so well. Luv Ranjan was involved in the process throughout. He was helping us with his briefings. The environment was good and the vibes felt right. Once Sunidhi (Chauhan) ma’am got on to the song, it just became super-duper good. It was a great session.
While it was loved by many, some compared the song to ‘Dilliwaali Girlfriend’ from ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’. Your thoughts…
I heard about the comparisons being drawn between the songs. I don’t think they are similar at all. Everyone has an opinion. If they want to enjoy the song by being critical then so be it. The bottom line is to have a good time. The ratio of people who have loved the song in the spirit with which it has been executed, is much higher. I am just happy that there is love.
The song is picturised on Ranbir Kapoor. You have sung for the actor in the past too (Sanju and Tamasha). How was it working with him?
‘Sanju’, ‘Tamasha’, ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ and now ‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar’ is my fourth project with Ranbir. He is a very talented and good-looking actor. He has got a flavour of his own in cinema. I am very glad that I have been his voice. So cheers to him!
You come from a family who has no immediate connection to music. How and when did the music bug bite you?
I think the bug had bitten me a long time ago. There was never a moment when music was not a part of my life. My mother used to sing and it was magical to hear her. My brother used to play the guitar. There were bhajans going on in the family. Every time music started around me, I would feel happy. I didn’t know what real music was when my love for it was developing. I started listening to a lot of music. I used to go buy cassettes and burn CDs. So when it came to making a decision for my career, I chose music.
You have a special connection with AR Rahman. You have learnt under him, made your debut with him and have even toured with him. You were also a part of his pet project ’99 Songs’.
’99 Songs’ was a divine project for me because it happened during the lockdown when nothing else was going on. However, not many came to know about it for whatever reasons. It was like a gift for AR Rahman’s fans. They loved the movie and the songs very much. The album was really appreciated by Rahman fans and so many youngsters. I lived that journey for two years. It took a while for us to record all the songs. It will always have a special place in my heart.
From amongst all the songs that you have sung so far, which one is closest to your heart and why?
One of the dearest memories that I have of a song is this beautiful melody that I had sung. It stuck in my mind till the time it was released. I would randomly wake up with the melody running in my head. It was a song composed by AR Rahman sir in the movie, ‘Mohenjo Daro’ called, ‘Sarsariya’. It had an amazing melody line that I got to sing in the song. Another one that I would love to mention is from ‘Mann Kesar Kesar’ from ‘Meenakshi Sundareshwar’. That was a beautiful composition and I am glad that I got to sing that song.
As a singer, what are your thoughts on remix culture?
There are a lot of people who like remixes. When we were kids, we also heard a lot of remixes from different DJs. So it has always been there. A good remix is always appreciated. I hate bad remixes.
You have worked with many talented composers over the years, apart from Rahman, who do you think stands apart from the rest in the industry?
There are so many young and talented composers out there. However, nobody shines like AR Rahman sir. I have worked with other music composers as well. All of them are very different from each other. They are all amazing in what they do and their fan following is proof. Amit Trivedi and Pritam da are amazing. There is Shashwat Sachdev who is very brilliant. I love his music. The future holds a lot of young talent. I think people have started taking this art form very seriously. People are training themselves.
The music industry in India has changed a lot since the time you made your debut. How do you look at it today as a singer?
The internet changed everything. The industry has evolved quickly. There was constant change taking place. Tech is changing and now there is AI involved. It has probably become faster. This change will be constant. We artists need to work on our craft and evolve so that we can utilise the platform that the industry will provide.
Salman Khan has recently crooned the ‘Jee Rahe The’ song from ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’. Many actors have done that in the past. What are your thoughts on actors foraying into singing?
If someone knows how to sing I don’t think there should be a problem. Paint, write stories, make music. Everyone should evolve and it is great. If you know it then do it.
What more does the year 2023 have in store for you?
2023 has been a very special year. A lot of songs and music has happened. I am very happy. There is a lot more to go. I am looking forward to the entire year. There are some songs that are supposed to come out. A song has recently been released where I have worked with composer Ajaneesh Loknath of ‘Kantara’ fame. I am so glad to have worked with him. He is an amazing musician. It is all music around me so I feel a lot of gratitude.
