Play catches up with Singer Sukhwinder Singh on female fan following and a Floyd parallel to his acting debut
Play catches up with Singer Sukhwinder Singh on female fan following and a Floyd parallel to his acting debutu00a0
You'll have to dig deep into your wildest imagination to guess how cocky the Sufi soul-stirrer Sukhwinder Singh can get. From Chhaiya Chhaiya in 1998 to Jai Ho two years ago, he continues to up the tempo of Indian film music. On April 23, his fans can see him on-screen, singing playback for himself, as he stars as the lead in Kuch Kariye, an overtly ambitious film that deals with terrorism among many other 'issues'.
Expecting to match a serious face to Sukhwinder's voice, you're a little thrown aback by the hint of a swagger in his demeanour. There's more than a hint, actually -- in the way he twists Pink Floyd's chronology (The Wall was released when the Berlin wall fell, confusing the rock opera with the film) to embellish his own analogy for his debut. In Kuch Kariye, he plays a small-town guy who sorts out a terrorist by the sheer strength of one philosophical sermon.
Regardless of whether you believe in his acting ability or in his verbose, random answers to every question, one thing is certain -- Sukhwinder is inspired. It's really up to you. Dwell on his eccentricity or simply wait for his next superhit song.
You once said in an interview that you weren't interested in acting. Since your name is 'Sukhwinder Sing(h)', you prefer to remain a singer.
I was only singing songs for this film, but while recording its title track Khud hi ko kar buland itna, I was reminded of the film Pink Floyd -- The Wall, a favourite while growing up. It has been a musical holy granth for me since I was in school. I felt that Khud hi had the same sense of passion, depth, melody and style as Pink Floyd's music. Director Jagbir Dahiya saw me in the recording room and decided he wanted me to play the role of lead character Rishi. I refused at first, but he was very persistent and showed me the script. And I couldn't say no to a film that delivers such a strong social message.
Singers such as Himesh Reshammiya and Sonu Niigam have given acting a shot and not everybody accepted them. Does that make you nervous?
Their films were planned with the aim of making them 'heroes'. This project started with me as a singer. Even when it's over, I will remain a singer. I don't want people to think I have suddenly become hungry for 'herogiri'.
Tell us about your character.
In real life, I can be very jolly, very sensible and sometimes also very stupid. My character in the film is like the real me. Except that the film deals with a serious matter, so there was no scope for fun and jokes -- the two constants in my life.
How did you prepare for the role?
I saw a lot of movies for a month. One was Sardar Patel, which has Paresh Rawal playing the character of the 'loh purush'. The obvious choice for such a role could have been actors such as Daara Singh, Dharmendra, Salman Khan or even Aamir Khan. But no one else could have played it the way Paresh Rawal did --in an extremely understated yet remarkably strong manner. I tried to learn from that.
I also saw Smita Patil's Chakra and several Govinda films. Govinda was a superstar but woh cheap hote hote ruk gaya. He could have easily crossed the line between classy and cheap performances, but didn't.
Will we see you dancing in the film? Were you comfortable with it?
Yes, and it wasn't difficult at all because my stage performances involve a lot of dancing.
The director said he placed five cameras on you because you'd get carried away during a shot and wouldn't stay in the marked area...
Actually, for two sequences in Kuch Kariye, he had to place six cameras on me because for those particular scenes, I told him that I would not give him any retakes and that he'd have to capture it all in one go. 
Are you planning on acting in more films after this?
Yes, of course.
Why was the name of the film changed from Khud Hi Ko Kar Buland Itna to Kuch Kariye?
It was my idea. When Jagbir offered me the role, I took time to accept it. When I made up my mind, I called him and said, "Let's do it!" He was so happy, he wanted to call the film Let's Do It, but we eventually translated it and used Kuch Kariye.
Do youu00a0 imagine yourself as the character when you record?
Yes, when I sing a song, I switch off all lights in the recording room. I memorise the lyrics and sing in total darkness to feel and express the significance of every word or line. Of course, I forget the lyrics as soon as I've finished recording because there is always another song to memorise and sing.
Didn't Mira Nair get really angry with you because you arrived terribly late at the studio to record Kaavaa Kaavaa (Monsoon Wedding)?
(Clapping hands) Oh yes! Have you seen Mira Nair? Aunty bahut khoobsoorat hai. She's really tall and has striking features.
I was at least 30 minutes late. So, by the time I reached, she'd got really worked up and said, "I waited so long not to work with you, but to see who has the nerve to be so late for an appointment. I am not from Bollywood! We believe in being punctual." And then she walked off. I ran after her, and when she turned around, I told her, "I just want to say that you look beautiful!" She was taken aback but finally laughed, pulled my cheek, and called me a khota (Punjabi for donkey) and let me record.
Do you get fan mail from women?
Yes, quite a lot. There are two reasons for this. My performance and my manners. Actually, I've missed out on another reason... my smile. Whenever the ladies tell me, 'We love you,' I tell them, 'And I like you'.
Do you ever plan to collaborate with any international musicians?
(Laughs) I, myself, am an international musician now. Other people should come and collaborate with me! There's a folk song I've sung for the soundtrack of a Steven Spielberg movie.
What's next?
I am singing a song for Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Mad, Madder, Maddest and for Vishal Bhardwaj's Saat Khoon Maaf. People shouldn't think I'm only going to wear make-up now. I'll continue to do what I do best... sing.
AR Rahman on Sukhwinder
Sukhwinder has a unique voice. Since our combination worked and people look out for it, I was careful to select which song he would sing. I wanted a completely new sound for him and me and the movie Slumdog Millionaire. So, he starts Jai Ho at a very low pitch, which is distinctly different from his style; he usually begins at a very high note which would make one think, 'Hey this sounds like Chaiyya Chaiyya or something else we've heard before.'
Sukhwinder on dancing in his debut flick
It wasn't difficult at all because my stage performances involve a lot of dancing
Of all the songs you've sung, which is your favourite?
(Promptly) Fashion Ka Jalwa, because while singing this song on stage, it's so much fun to flirt with the audience
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