ANU MALIK talks to MUSBA HASHMI about the latest season of Indian Idol and how reality shows open doors to opportunities for singers
This year the theme of Indian Idol is Ek Desh Ek Awaaz. Can you explain more?
In simple words, we are a radical country and we have a lot of talent in every nook and corner. The theme — Ek Desh Ek Awaaz — encapsulates the fact that we are only looking for talent irrespective of his background or race. We believe that the talent unites us through a musical manner. We welcome each and every voice in the show without focusing on a particular form of music.
What things do you keep in mind while judging?
All the three of us — Vishal Dadlani, Neha Kakkar and I are looking for out of the box talent that is realistic. In this world, you can’t look for Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle or Mohammad Rafi, no one can beat them. They are the best. They are just one of a kind. And I had the chance to work with them when I was 18. Now I am 55; its time to move on and get fresh voices. If someone has something different to serve on the table, we are welcoming them with open hearts. I believe that we have found what we were looking for — magical singers.
A case in point is Azmat, who won a singing reality show when he was just 10-11 years old. Then he stopped singing and fell in bad company. But, he was brave enough to come up and accept that he lost the track at some point. We gave him a second chance. This is what Indian Idol 11 is all about.
You have been judging the show since a long time. How has the journey been?
The audience has started saying that this is the best trio of judges on Indian Idol so far. The reason being we get along very well. We do have difference of opinions sometimes but that’s fine. The journey has definitely been a great one.
Do you see any difference in the talent from five years ago and now?
Talent is talent. Music is ingrained in the DNA of Indians. But, when I look at the youngsters today, technology has made a lot of difference. The youngsters are doing a lot of riyaaz before coming for the auditions. They are well-prepared but they also know that there’s a lot of competition. The youngsters know that technology is available for everyone and they are trying to walk an extra mile to make a difference. They are committed to their work much more than we ever were.
Do you think reality shows can be a turning point in a singer’s career?
Yes. Today’s generation is blessed to have reality shows. We never had this opportunity in our time. When you are talented and you are on a show, you come into everyone’s radar. If you win the show or are in the top 10, you are suddenly in demand. You start getting work. I always joke about this on the show too that Salman Ali’s (winner of Indian Idol 10) passport is thicker than mine.
What does music mean to you?
Music is everything to me. It is my soulmate and the only thing that has been with me through my highs and lows. Apart from my daughters, music is the only thing that has kept me alive all this while. It is a tool to remove any pain that a person is going through. When I made Moh Moh Ke Dhaage, people called me up and said that the song is healing them. That was a big compliment for me.
Do you have a favourite song?
It’s yet to come. (laughs)
What was the most challenging project?
The qawwali from Main Hoon Na was quite challenging. I wanted to make a qawwali that would set a trend and after that many composers started making qawwalis. Before that there were no qawwalis and then suddenly Kajra Re Kajra Re came and many more followed.
An advice for the aspiring singers?
Just a simple one: Nothing can help anyone except for hard work and commitment towards your work. A lot of people ask me how have you survived in the industry for 42 years? I started when I was only 16 and I kept working since then. Also riyaaz is the key. I keep on making songs irrespective of the fact that whether it will be used in the film or not. And there has been not even a single day when I haven’t made a song. Everyone is working hard so you have to work even harder. Nothing comes easy. It is tough, but it is worth it.
