The teaser of ‘Rang Le’ looks amazing. The music is catchy and your voice is magical as ever…
The song ‘Rang Le’ is a Sufi Rock song in the zone of songs from Euphoria and Junoon from the 90s. The last song that was created in this style would be ‘Bulleya’ from ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’. I had never sung a song in this space before, so was keen to compose and perform in this genre. I love to challenge myself and explore new musical dimensions. Also, I got to collaborate with my band to develop the track and shoot a live performance video with them. That added new excitement to this project.
From all the comments and views the teaser has received so far, fans are already loving it. What kind of reactions have you been getting so far?
It’s tough to judge a song from a teaser but I’ve always had support from my ardent fans and well-wishers. They have accepted my music no matter how different it is from the previous single. I am forever indebted to them. I hope not to ever disappoint them. They are my motivation to keep creating.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKiCq1k0so0
This is your first attempt at Sufi Rock. What inspired you to try your hands on this genre?
I had released a Rock song ‘Tishnagi’ with the maestro Ranjit Barot in 2005 but never a Sufi or Indie Rock song. I have always enjoyed the raw power and ‘live’ energy of this genre. I hope that you will be pleasantly surprised with my full-throated rendition. Also, the universal message of Sufism, which is ‘love and compassion’ above all else, that the song resonates with must be shared and spread.
Now that you are at a stage where you no longer need to prove yourself or compete with anyone, do you have a bucket list of things you wish to try your hands on in your career?
I have been known as a versatile singer in an industry where singers are often put into categories. I am very thankful to my composers who trusted me with so many different styles and genres. But the fire still burns within me. I will keep exploring more areas, be it dance, rap, classical, or folk. Like you said, I don’t need to prove anything. I just want to have fun now. For me, challenging myself and pushing myself is me having fun.
You started your journey with remixes but those were nothing like the ones that are being created today. Your thoughts…
Remixes, recreations, or re-inventing… it’s not a bad thing according to me. The boxes to be ticked are – Is the original song worthy of a revisit? Creatively, what newness and freshness have you brought to the table? Have you done justice to the original material? And most importantly, have you given the due credit to the original authors of the song? Most recreations fail to tick these boxes.
From amongst your contemporaries, who would you consider your most favourite co-singer?
There’s so much talent to choose from. I’m in awe of most of those voices. Strangely, I have sung more hits with KK than many of my female co-singers but in all honesty, I miss the originality and honesty that my contemporaries sang with as compared to today’s voices, who undoubtedly are very talented and tuneful. However, they are all in the pursuit of sounding the same which is one of the reasons why it’s difficult to tell them apart. I hope my comment is taken in a positive light.
Which songs, would you say, were the game-changers in your career?
Songs like ‘Tanha Dil’, ‘Chand Sifarish’, ‘Jabse Tere Naina’, ‘Behti Hawaa’, to name a few were game-changers for me in my career.
From all the music composers and directors you have worked with, who did you enjoy working with the most?
That is impossible to answer. I’m a people’s person. I enjoy the company of people, especially creative people. All my composers are my friends first. We always have had a great time recording and I am very fortunate never to have a single bad experience behind the microphone. I have a few bad days in terms of my vocals though (smiles). I have been very lucky with my composers’ attitudes towards me.
There is a surge of new content on OTT for actors and filmmakers. Do you think there is scope for musicians too with shows like, ‘Bandish Bandits’ which are music-based shows?
I loved ‘Bandish Bandits’ and yes I do feel music-based content, fiction or non-fiction needs to be further explored on OTT.
What does 2022 have in store for you?
2022 will have a lot more singles, movie songs, TV shows, live shows and much more. I will also be seen in a movie too… very soon.
