Thursday, August 17,2000
Sweet Voiced Sonu - Nigam
The fresh-faced skinny teenager who came all the way from Delhi to seek an audience for is golden voice has been replaced by an actor in the making with a gym-toned body and the glow of success
lighting up his still boyish features. Perhaps the Indian film industry’s only successful playback singer to have ventured before the camera, of course, apart from the legendary Kishore Kumar. Whether or not his on-screen filmi career takes off, he has little to lose. Sonu has made it big already – as a playback
singer, an indi-pop artist and a TV host. ‘Deewana’ topped the charts for almost a year while Sa Re Ga Ma, which has completed over 200 episodes, has a viewership of over one and a half crore. He has a formidable fan following that grew substantially with his music videos, ‘Tu’ and ‘Deewana Tera’. Keep your
fingers crossed and watch out for this golden boy hitting the big screen in another year with his own mellifluous voice backing up his pristine presence. Here he is chatting with eIndia correspondent, Karishma Upadhyay, inbetween a music sitting and a gym session.
What made you shift to acting after being in the industry for such a long time? Was acting something that you always wanted to do?
Acting was the last thing on my mind or rather it was never on my mind. This move towards acting is not a calculated one. Believe me, when I tell you that I am just as shocked as all my fans. I had been getting offers for a long time now. I didn’t even bother to think about them because I wanted to concentrate on my singing career. Ever since the beginning of this year, offers poured in like crazy. I think because of Hrithik’s success people in the industry realised that we need a change. There has been a search of fresh and young faces and I guess people think that I fit the bill. Once people got to know that I was open to acting, I have got more than 40 proposals.
And, how many films have you signed for?
I am considering only three films right now, of which I have signed two. The first film that I signed was Ramesh Taurani’s, which is to be directed by Manoj Punj. Akashdeep is the director of the second movie. Raj Kanwar is also keen that I sign a film with him but there have been some date problems so we are trying to iron the creases before I sign on the dotted line.
Who would you say was instrumental in getting you to explore this part of your creativity?
I think, I can safely say that it was Ramesh Taurani ji of Tips Music who egged me on. He some how always believed that I could act. He always said that I should give acting a shot but I was never convinced about my capabilities. Those around me have more faith in me than I have in myself.
You, in many ways, are at the peak of your singing career, aren’t you taking too much of a risk by giving it up at this juncture?
I know I am taking a risk but I want to experience this part of films too. Ten years down the line I don’t want to regret that I didn’t try out acting. I don’t want to regret anything. On the other hand I know that I would have to give up singing, to an extent. I just won’t be able to concentrate so much on my singing and that would result in other singer walking away with my songs. I am prepared to gamble.
Are you a gambler by nature?
In a lot of ways, yes. I like to take risks but calculated risks. For example when I started working out people around me told me that it would adversely affect my voice and that I will not be able to sing. I still went ahead and worked out. Absolutely nothing has happened to my voice. It is just the same. Rather now I can sing a couple of notes that used to be very high for me initially. So, unless you don’t try out something you wouldn’t know whether it is good, bad or ugly.
How do you plan to prepare yourself for your new career?
First and foremost I have started watching films. I never used to have the time to watch films and even when I used to, I used to concentrate on the musical aspect of the film. Now I see films and notice expressions and dialogue delivery. I just saw 'Dil To Pagal Hai' the other night and loved the film. I have
also started taking care of my appearance. I try and eat proper food at the right times. I think more than physically shaping up I have to be mentally trained. I am going to spend a week or two with Anupam Kher going over the nuances of acting.
Do you think you got a lot of visibility thanks to your music videos and the television that you hosted?
Oh! Yes. It is all thanks to TVS Saregama and of course my music video that my fans could put a face to my voice. Saragama was again totally unplanned and heaven sent. Initially I was very apprehensive about hosting a program of that level but as we moved on I became more confident. The show also gave me quite a high as I had the oppurtunity of playing host to so many illustrious musicians, who were judges for the show. I was associated with Saregama for almost five years and I do feel bad about not being a part of it anymore.
What about your videos?
Contrary to popular belief, my first video wasn’t Tu. Before Tu I had done videos for songs like Acha Sila Diya. Those videos didn’t get noticed because T-series used to have a very tight budget and that was very obvious. The video were quite tacky and I looked so very bad. I was skinny with long hair. Tu was a much more polished video. My favorite among all the videos that I have done until date is the one made for Papa, I’m Sorry. This song was recorded for the World AIDS Day and the video touches everyone at some level.
Moving on to your music, you are probably the only male playback singer of our times who has also done well on the Indi-pop scene. Which do you enjoy the most?
Both singing for films and singing for your own album is tough. There are different challenges on both the fronts. When I sing for films, I have to sing according to the dictates of the composer and the director. On the other hand, for albums I sing what the music company and I think will go well with the masses. But then there are times when our calculations have misfired. We had all thought that my second album Mausam would be very popular but it didn’t do very well. My latest album Jaan is selling a lot.
What about film songs? Is there a film that you are particularly looking forward to?
Gosh, I don’t even remember all the songs that I have sung over the past few months. I don’t think I can tell you what songs I am looking forward to. But if you ask me for films, then Tera Jaddoo Chal Gayaa definitely tops the list. Then there is One two ka four with AR Rehman and Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gam.
Getting back to acting, when I can I hope to see you on the 70 mm screen?
I plan to start shooting only by the end of this year or early next year. So, you’d have to wait for that.
