Sonu Niigaam - 'Nobody can become me’

“Cinema has deprived music of its real glory in India”
says Sonu Niigaam who loves singing in Kannada more than in Hindi

Sonu Niigaam needs no introduction. Regarded among the top singers in the Hindi film industry, the versatile performer has belted out hits in Mungaru Male, Milan and Mussanje Maatu among other Kannada films. Neene bari neene, his newly released music album might even be testament to the special regard he has for his fans in the state. The singer who will be performing in the city after two years, talks about his love for Kannada songs, fatherhood and more in an email interview.

From years of struggling to becoming the No 1 singer, it has been quite a journey. What are the memories that stand out?
The long walks with my father to avoid rickshaws and buses and save money, waiting alone outside studios for music directors, wondering at the loneliness standing in the tiny balcony of my Mayfair apartment house, reading recipes sent by mummy and trying to cook myself, washing clothes, utensils, sweeping the floor etc...running every morning in my two wheeler to make calls to composers and their secretaries is what I remember very fondly.

You have aspirants who want to become the next Sonu Niigaam. How do you feel about that?
Nobody can become me. I couldn’t become anyone. I became myself, so will all the aspirants. They will be inspired by me, like I was by others; they have to work hard and one day realise their own glory.

Now that you are an established name, are you choosy about the songs you want to do?
My fans, in fact, have this grievance against me. But they will know eventually that whatever I did (and didn’t) was the right thing to do in these days and times of music.

What do you look for when you taking up an offer to sing for a film?
The project in totality, the music composer’s affinity and appreciation of my craft, the song and its longevity. When the song is of quality, it’s worth it, even if the movie doesn't do well.

Your acting career hasn’t taken off that well. Do you at times wish you had been choosier?
Well, you can’t regret the days when you didn’t know how to ride a bicycle right? That comes only after falling over and over again especially if you don’t have people to guide you. Movie business is more about positioning and marketing than talent. Why else would no actor in the world have a 100 per cent success ratio? And I am talking about the best of the actors and the biggest of the celebrities. I didn’t know this part of acting then. I thought by giving my best and blindly following the director, I’ll be able to sail through.

But the moment the movie Love in Nepal sank despite great reviews by the best and the worst of the critics, I realised the first lesson of choosing a credible project: To say NO to everything. If something good has to come your way, it’ll come irrespective. My talent and my confidence in myself don’t get affected by the validation of the world. My time and my efforts are too precious to be wasted on a mediocre project.

Are you doing any films now?
I know I’ll act, and that too in a project that’ll have people with my level of sincerity and no bullshit kind of attitude. And when that happens, you’ll hear of it.

You have been in talent shows long before reality shows were the rage. What do you think of the musical talent shows of late?
Talents need platforms to showcase themselves. It motivates them to work harder and learn more. Therefore I stand by them. I am not in favour of the other show that goes on besides the talent show and that is the shameless display of anger and crudeness by the so-called judges and gurus, but then there are all kinds of artistes in the world.

Though you seem to have sung in many languages, you have made an album in Kannada. Why?
I believe in strengthening the independent music business. Cinema has deprived music of its real glory in India. I love Kannada music and enjoy singing it more than my mother tongue Hindi for its sheer melodic structure. Thus, Neene bar neene is a tribute to the music, people and language of Karnataka.

You are performing in the city after two years. Any special preparations/rehearsals you are making for this concert?
Yeah, I’ve been trying to ask people which of my Kannada songs are more popular. I wanna sing some of them here.

What can Bangaloreans look forward to in the concert?
My honesty and sincerity.

Finally, how is fatherhood treating you?
Fatherhood is a feeling that is inexplicable to anyone in words. It has to be experienced. We are also making a point to give our best to our son in terms of our presence and positivity. He has taught me my real relationship with the Paramatma.

The World of Titan Sonu Niigaam- Live in Bangalore show is on October 11 at the Palace grounds (Jayamahal entrance), 6.30 pm onwards. Tickets are available at all World of Titan outlets. You can buy them online from www.livetree.in. For more details, call 64557076.

bangaloremirror.com