Sukhwinder Singh | The versatile singer who shot to fame with Chaiyya Chaiyya adds yet another feather to his cap with the song Issaqbaazi for Zero. He speaks with Shalini Saksena about his next song for the film Bharat among other things
How did you come on board for Zero?
I have sung most of the songs for Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) and it began with Chhaiyya Chhaiyya; it has been a long association for 18 years with SRK. I feel that even he wants me to sing for him. But here I would like to give the credit to the music composer of the opportunity who thought of me while composing the song, Issaqbaazi. The content of the song was peppy and I was their choice. The song was very earthy and I enjoyed singing it.
Are there any challenges when you sing for SRK?
No, not at all! I sing each song with the same level of passion. I love music. I don’t sing for the actor, I sing for the character they portray onscreen; be it Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn or Salman Khan. When I sing for the character, people remember that. I have sung for Chak De India and Om Shanti Om in the same year (2007). Both songs are different. I sing the song only after I understand the content.
How do you manage to sing like SRK?
There is a story behind this. Some 10 years back, I met a kid. His mother introduced me to him by saying: ‘This is Sukhwinderji. He has sung the song Mar jani mar jani’. The kid immediately said: ‘That is incorrect. The song has been sung by SRK.’ There was a bit of an argument between the mother and child. But the tag that I sound like SRK stuck. Then there is the fact that I get a lot more appreciation from SRK himself. Not that others don’t. But there is something extra that comes from SRK.
What kind of songs bring out the best in you?
To be honest, without sounding condescending, I can sing any kind of song. The good part is that music composers and directors also have that kind of confidence in me. I involved myself in all the songs that I sing. But yes, when I sing a dance number, you will get three Sukhwinders. This is because I live my life like there is constant celebration. There are ups and downs; most of them are there because we have taken a wrong decision.
You have sung for Salman Khan in Bharat. What is the song about?
I have not sung one but three. The music has been given by Vishal-Shekhar who have done such a brilliant job. There is a story here too. The unit was travelling outside of India to shoot the song. I had given a rough sketch. Meanwhile, I had just landed in Mumbai from a tour in the US. I went to the studio at 12 am to record the song. It was uploaded at 3:30 am and the next day, the song was shot.
What are some of the other songs that one can look forward to this year?
I had been reading news on exam paper leaks. It upset me and I wanted to do something around this. A few days later, I got a call to sing for Cheat India. Then there is another song for the film Sonchiraiya by Abhishek Chaubey (director of Udta Punjab). I have sung two very different songs — a peppy number, the other a dark song — recorded the same day.
Is there an actor for whom you have not sung and love to sing for?
I doubt there is any actor from the younger generation for whom that I have not sung for, be it Ranveer Singh or Ranbir Kapoor or Akshay Kumar for Housefull 4. It will be difficult to pick an actor.
What are the traits that a good artist should have?
A good artist will automatically be a good person. A bad person can’t be a good artist. A good artist is one who is jolly, humble and down to earth. Not that such people don’t make mistakes, they do but the good is that he learns from them and doesn’t repeat them. If he has hurt someone, he is magnanimous enough to apologise as well. Lord Krishna has an apt lesson to share: “Apka vartaman apka sabse bada sach hai.” Take a lesson from the past, learn from it and move forward. Karm hi sabsa bada dharm hai.
