Sonu Nigam has been a part of Bollywood for fifteen years and music lovers have always wanted more from this elusive singer. Flitting in and out of the industry sporadically, he has always made his mark when he has sung, and has been missed when he has not. Talking in an exclusive interview with Swati Chaturvedi of Spicezee.com on Kahiye Janab, the artist candidly expressed his strong opinion on a variety of subjects.
Swati :Why was Sonu not visible for so many years? Was he cross about something?
Sonu :I was not cross with anything or anyone. I had just been doing my work. When I came from Delhi to Mumbai in 1991, I went on with my work and did not know how time flew by. I did not know what I was doing back then. I remember recording six to twelve songs each day. Once I did thirty-five songs on a single day – that is my record.
Swati :Thirty-five songs is a lot of singing! Weren't you out of breath?
Sonu :(Smiling) No, I happen to have a large lung capacity and I don't go out of breath easily. Well, in 2006 I travelled a lot. In 2007, I was in America. In 2008, I was back in Mumbai, working a little. Actually, now that I look back, I realise that I have lived my life only in these last three years.
Swati :You have said that the kind of music that was being made in a particular era makes us ashamed now. What was the musical era you were talking about?
Sonu :When I spoke about music making us feel ashamed, I wasn't talking about any particular time, or era. But there have been times when most of the songs that were dished out would make you cringe – like songs that go on about 'lungi', 'choli', 'khatiya', 'chaddi', and what not! Why don't we make that kind of music now? It is because we got carried away then, with the urge to make some quick bucks. Today, the songs are more about news and less about music. We want to make waves, headlines, and not just be satisfied with making good music.
Swati :People create controversies to garner attention. We have hardly seen you in any such situation…
Sonu :I don't indulge in all that. If you want adjectives to define my inclinations, you better fill up the blanks yourself, I don't provide adjectives – I provide music. What I believe is songs like 'Kal ho na ho', 'Jab se tere naina' and 'Tu hi meri shab hai' are pretty good pieces, but most of the other kinds are ringtone types. In fact, music companies demand that kind of music; they say, 'Sir, ringtones banao!' So 80% of the work is chalu type rather than aesthetically appealing.
Swati :What were the songs in particular that made you feel ashamed to hear them?
Sonu :I can't talk about any particular person's work. People work according to their style; every composer gives his best. I have also dished out pretty dismal songs at times. Like I have sung songs like 'What's your mobile number', and I have even sung 'Tera paaon bhari ho gaya'. We all have sung such songs some or the other time in our careers. Those have been times when we were needy, when we were not in control. Then we could not say no to anyone. What really matters is what you do when you are in control; when you have the power to decide.
Swati :As a part of the music industry, as a professional, what is the song that you are really proud to have sung?
Sonu :Last year, I came out with a classical album, that had a song 'Suna suna'. It cannot be called a semi-classical number, because classically it is very tough, and that song got me recognition from the stalwarts of music. This is what really makes me proud!
Swati :What about your other Bollywood songs?
Sonu :'Suraj hua madhdham', 'Mera rang de basanti chola mai rang de' and 'Sandese aatey hain' are among my favourites.
Swati :Which musician do you think is the best in our times?
Sonu :If you ask this, normally and very obviously, everyone will say AR Rahman. The most remarkable thing about him is that he never overdoes things. His voice is sufiana, and he never tries to go beyond himself. That is the best part about him. Today the best composer, who sings equally well, is Shankar Mahadevan – his compositions are as beautiful as his singing is. I would say that the composers who sing well should sing themselves, like some of them do.
Swati :This year, or last year, when you were not very actively singing in Bollywood, were there any songs that made you feel 'I should have sung this', or that 'I could have sung this better'?
Sonu :I don't think I am the grand old man, above everyone else. There are better singers than I am, far above me in talent and professionalism. As I said, everyone has his own style of rendering a song. I can't better anyone. People respect me because they know I work so hard and am so committed. In fact, we are lucky to be playback singers, otherwise people don't even know what many artists like Vasundharao Deshpandey or Salamat Ali Khan have done.
However, I like 'Jab se tere naina'. Shaan's voice is so sweet, I wish I could sing like him...(sighs.) I also like 'Tu hi meri shab hai subah hai'. The songs of 'Rock On' are also noteworthy.
Swati :Are private music productions more satisfying than commercial ventures?
Sonu :Yes. Private albums satisfy me more. It is like a weakling that needs to be supported; we feel ennobled and pleased by helping out this weak kid.
Swati :As compared to the times of Lata, Rafi and Kishore Kumar, do the voices of today have the same brand equity?
Sonu :We cannot draw a parallel between now and then. Like, I am not any particular actor's voice. True, people associate my voice with Shah Rukh Khan, but in actuality I have sung more songs for Salman Khan. Today, there are so many singers to choose from, and music directors ask a number of singers to belt out their versions, and choose the one they like. Thankfully, I am above that selection process. Directors come to me at the end, when they have finalised me for any song.
Swati :What is the most challenging genre in singing?
Sonu : These days the composers use such high scales; they won't compose low pitched music. I recorded a song 'Do baat pakki' that was so high pitched that it made me go to my highest scale. The composers couldn’t imagine I could reach that scale, but I did.
Swati :What is your take on plagiarism that is said to have affected music industry today? Give us an insider's view.
Sonu :I agree that every individual's personal prerogative is to be ethical or go a little easy on himself. Ethical people are purists. But, even their songs sometimes overlap, how can you be completely be distinct with just twelve sur? But yes, some create music from other works also. Pritam…
Swati :(chipping in) Who is called the King of Plagiarism in Bollywood…
Sonu :Pritam once said a very wise thing. He said, "When a song is created and sung, the profits go to the music company and the producer. But if every time the song is played or sung, and the royalty went to the composer, lyricist and the singer, then there would never be plagiarism. Unfortunately, this does not happen. And when it does not, then why not go all the way to earning profits while we can. ‘Grab it now, before you lose it!" If you are complemented for a job well done for your lifetime, it counts as a real reward. If not, what does it all come to? Pritam has done some wonderfully original works such as 'Bol na halke halke'. But that doesn't get noticed as much as it deserves to be.
Swati :Can a singer be a good actor? What about performers who are versatile, like for example Farhan Akhtar, who directs, acts as well as sings?
Sonu :A singer is a person who sings on stage. In a recording studio, technology can turn even a read verse into sung lines. Farhan has sung many songs, but I bet even he does not consider himself a singer. Singers are Salamt Ali Khan, Ameer Khan, Ghulam Ali or Mehdi Hasan. In my view even I am not a singer, maybe in the view of others I am.
Swati :Any views on the kind of singer Himesh Reshammiya is?
Sonu :No thoughts. I have never given a thought on the topic.
Swati :They say India is a big source of revenue for Pakistani artists. But the artists themselves claim being troubled. What do you say to this?
Sonu :I want to ask Pakistani singers and actors, 'When Sonu goes to Karachi, he is attacked with a bomb blast. When you come here you are welcomed with flowers and garlands. Is this fair?' I have another one for them, 'Where do you pay your taxes?' Are they paid in white or in cash?’ Let me tell you, all the money they get is in cash– it is all black money.
Wherever they perform, whether in Government organised programme or recording studios, they are paid in cash. When we perform in America, we are taxed. Then we return to India and get a tax rebate. And in the present scenario, we can't even imagine getting paid in cash in India. I want you to ask - who is allowing this and why is this being allowed. We pay taxes here and still we get potholed roads and mosquitoes, and still we have no complaints. When we go abroad, we pay taxes. Why don't they pay taxes here? What I want is that when Pakistani singers come to India, they should appreciate and express their appreciation and feel thankful. I love Pakistani singers, some are great performers – but they should accept what a great country India is.
Adaptation: Nabila Habib
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First Published: Saturday, February 21, 2009, 00:00