SUKHWINDER SINGH, famous for singing Chaiyya Chaiyya, is busy preparing to release three music videos. He tells SHAlINI SAKSENA that despite being an entertainer, he has a responsibility towards music
What is keeping you busy these daysIJ
Right now, I am very busy with releasing three music videos. It is a very exciting time for me. Everyone who has heard it, has loved it. Hope my fans love it to. One song is a club number, the other two are romantic ones.
You are known for peppy numbers. But know you have been singing romantic songs. Why the switchIJ
The truth is that I am a very bubbly person in real life and that reflects in my songs. Singing peppy number comes naturally to me. The switch is because people started giving me romantic numbers to sing as well.
nYou are one of the best singers in Bollywood today. How does the title sit on youIJ
It makes me happy when people say this. But this doesn’t mean that I am proud of it. This is because there are so many talented people out there.
What is the good, bad and ugly of the industryIJ
There are many good people I have met in the course of my long journey. To give you an example — creation and butterfly are the same. A butterfly doesn’t sit on garbage. Similarly, creation never sits with wrong people. There are thousands of singers and I don’t stop them. Creation will always be found where there are good people. I love music and don’t judge others and find nothing bad or ugly in the industry.
What is your responsibility towards musicIJ
I am from the entertainment world. My first priority is to ensure that the people who come to listen to me enjoy my stage performances. Second, during my performances I always try to put in a message — that one should love one’s country. Songs like Chak De, Jai Ho, etc help me do this — and tell the audience the progress the nation has made. I tell them, ‘do whatever job that you are doing, but never betray your nation’. I talk about what it takes to be a good human being. My responsibility comes through my music.
Would you say that you are successful and famous todayIJ
These are very materialistic thoughts. I don’t judge my success, it is bad manners to do so. Being proud would mean that I have an attitude which would not be true. I only know three things — music is my passion, I love to be in style and remain fit. I flirt too (laughs). I don’t spend time in thinking that I am a celeb. I am like any other ordinary man.
What is your take on actors singingIJ
This is nonsensical talk. People who say this are not special and are insecure themselves. If actors wants to sing, let them, they are not committing a crime.How many songs do they singIJ Maybe oneIJ Where do they have the timeIJ They are busy with films. If the director is happy and if the the audience accepts their songs, where is the problemIJ
Would it be possible for you to choose between recording and the stageIJ
One must understand that recording leads to stage. It is recording that makes you popular only then we will get an opportunity to go on to the stage. To be on the stage, one has to be popular and that will come only through recording. This industry is not about I, me and myself. We must be sincere towards recording. Only if you give a popular number (recording) will you get a change to be on the stage. So, stage is secondary and just as exciting. And I love both.
What is the message for your fansIJ
Be happy. And let others to be happy as well.