Which are the films for which you are composing music right now?

I am composing music for Subhash Ghai’s Black & White and Nilesh Malhotra’s Monopoly. For Monopoly I have composed entertainment oriented music.

Which are your films as a singer now?

I am singing for Subhash Ghai’s Main Yuvraj and Vishal Bharadwaj’s Julia.

Are other music directors scared of you now that you have started composing music for films?

On the contrary, most of the music directors who record songs for the films for which they compose at my recording studio have one hundred per cent faith in me and actually trust me enough to leave their tracks at my place after their recording.

Which according to you are five best songs of yours, as a playback singer till date?

My best songs have been in Astithva, Dil Se, Qayamat, Chak De India and last but not the least Om Shanti Om.

How did Chaiyya Chaiyya happen?

After my number Mujhe Rang De clicked, Rahman asked me to write lyrics for Dil Se too, when I explained to him about Peer Baba Bhuleshah. Immediately I reminded him that in the first place I had actually gone to him to sing for him and not write lyrics. Rahman asked me if I could sing too and I told him that I only wanted to sang since my name is Sukhwinder Sing (h) I told him that whenever I sang, I felt like I was also listening to my song.

Did he readily ask you to sing Chaiyya Chaiyya in Dil Se?

I had to narrate Chaiyya Chaiyya in English to him. While Rahman did not understand Hindi at all, I did not understand a word of English or Tamil. In fact after I wrote the first draft, Mani Ratnam felt that the song did not work out the way he wanted and walked out. It was only after some one explained to him correctly that he okayed the song for the film. Since I am not good in English, while explaining the lyrics I said I’d kill myself instead of saying I’d be dead, because I could not translate properly from Hindi to English to Mani sir.

Why did you not cash in on Chaiyya Chaiyya and sing for all films of SRK?

I admit that from Dil Se to Chalte Chalte, there was a gap of almost three years. My problem is that I have never done lobbying like some other music directors. At a function, when SRK spotted me, he told me “mujhe train pe chadake aap gayab ho gaye”. I told him that still the train was running.

What has been the contribution of Rahman to your career?

A.R. Rahman has contributed a lot to my career. I owe my career to him. It is he who had made me reach the nook and corner of the world with his songs. My career actually started in Chennai and hence I call myself Sukhwinder Singh Iyer and not just Sukhwinder Singh

People remember earlier songs whereas no one seems to remember the new songs. Why?

Who says so? Whether the films may have clicked or flopped, people remember almost every song that I have sung till date, whether in Hindi or for that matter Tamil. Like the songs in Dil Se, Kisna, Taal, Chak De India, Omkara, Om Shanti Om!

People say that you are arrogant!

I may be moody but not at all arrogant though I have been saddled with the adjective. If I were arrogant, it would have reflected in my work. I agree that I am late -lateef as far as my commitments are concerned and I am making efforts to amend this habit of mine.

Despite being a pucca Punjabi, how do you manage to sing in Tamil?

It is always the performance that matters when you sing, not the language. In any case I thin k I can sing in any language other than English. Ricky Martin sings only in Spanish. I have sung in Tamil for music directors like Deva and Rajkumar too, besides Rahman.

Do you think success has come in a platter as far as you are concerned?

To tell you the truth, I have not worked for success at all. I have never been desperate or insecure. I believe that if you are talented, you cannot be insecure. If you ask me what success means to me, I would say that it means conquering a platform to meet more geniuses in life. Though we have advanced technologically today, creativity is not linked to facility.

What is your approach as a singer?

I feel that tact cannot be art. If you are no longer a struggler, no genius will sign you if you go to their places with a bouquet of flowers on their birthday, or make them listen to your tunes in the toilets ,like some music directors do. I am of the opinion that fielding is lack of talent while approach is what I call confidence. Approach is grace.

By Jyothi Venkatesh - SAMPURN