Suraj Jagan
Became a household name with his ‘Sunshine’ song in 3 Idiots. Then came Rang De from My Name Is Khan, Dil Dil Hai from 7 Khoon Maaf and Baby When You Talk To Me from Patiala House. His song Sadka Kiya with Mahalaxmi Iyer from the movie I Hate luv Storys reached number one on the Indian music charts. He is also the voice behind the soothing Hutch commercial anthem—You and I in this beautiful world. It is Goa that brings out the best in this singer, he tells Deebashree Mohanty
‘Destiny brings me here’
Tell us about your solo release this year, Yeh lamhaIJ
The album has seven tracks, including the title track. Each song is different from the other. My compositions are mostly based on the life lessons that I have learnt and some experiences during my travel to Goa. That place brings out the very best in me. For the album, I have recorded all the songs in a quaint studio away from the hustle bustle of north Goa. It is a different feeling to record songs in Goa because you can use the studio as and when you want and there is no distraction whatsoever. It has become a challenge to record a song within a timeframe in Mumbai.
What was the inspiration behind this albumIJ
In the past, I would compose a song or two while traveling to Goa. This time I thought, why not spend a month there and come up with six-seven compositionsIJ
This idea drove me to my favourite beach destination. The songs have been composed in a month’s time. That is superspeed according to me. Geeta, who has penned the lyrics, has been a constant support. She gauged my mood on a given day and then wrote the lyrics. It was her idea to call it Yeh lamha. All the renditions are very live and in the moment.
Could you give me an example of how you derived at the lyrics for this albumIJ
I was shocked and unhappy with the December 16 gangrape and the comments that certain women activists had made on women. In one meeting with Geeta, I was telling her how frustrated I was about the happenings in this country. That’s when she came up with Dojakh, meaning hell, one of my favourite songs in this album. Each of the other six songs also depicts a particular mood.
How did the Sunshine song come your wayIJ
It was destined to happen. Shantanu Moitra, the music director of 3 idiots, had promised me earlier that he would make me sing one of his songs. For the next two years, he disappeared.
One fine day, I get a call from him asking me to sing the Sunshine number for his upcoming film. When I went for the recording, I was told that not even the script of the film had been finalised. He told me that only the title of the film had been decided. They wanted me to record the first song for the film to up their tempo. At first, I thought it was for just another Bollywood number. But, when I heard youngsters humming the tune, I knew this was going to be a special film. 3 Idiots has established me as a singer in this industry. Offers started pouring in after that.
Do you think Bollywood music is opening up to new genresIJ
Yes, and the entire credit goes to Farhan Akhtar who is a great composer and visionary. He was the first one to take up the challenge when no one else was daring to go beyond the tested formula. We still have a long way to go but at least the music scene is looking up. The same way, like off-beat cinema has found an audience in this country, I am hoping new genres of music will also find a place.
Any singer you are in awe ofIJ
Amit Trivedi is refreshingly different. He has a range like no one else.
What do you prefer, concerts or playback singingIJ
I would love to do more playback singing because the money lies there. Concerts are physically draining but they are an integral part of a singer’s resume. He has to build a relationship with his audience and the only way to achieve this is through concerts. I prefer Delhi to Mumbai as the venue. The crowds are much more vibrant and noisy.