Kumar Sanu opens up about his 35-year-long journey, the challenges along the way, the music composers he wanted to work with but could never do, and the recent remix culture of songs.
Kumar Sanu recently completed 35 years in the music industry. The veteran singer ruled through the 1990s, and the early 2000s, and he has since then been very selective and choosy about the songs to which he lends his voice. However, he has been constantly doing stage performances and has been winning the hearts of audiences with his melodious voice.
Talking to Prateek Sur, Kumar Sanu opens up about his 35-year-long journey, the challenges along the way, the music composers he wanted to work with but could never do, and the recent remix culture of songs. Excerpts from the candid chat:
You have been the king of stage performances. How do you manage to maintain the same enthusiasm on stage which you used to do back in the 1990-2000s?
Usually, when we go on stage, we forget that we are tired or sick. We just feel proud and charged up and because of that the show does well and you see so much enthusiasm and energy. I always move with the public and that’s why I am always energetic. I gel with the people and make the show interesting and I sing according to the public. I enjoy performing.
You’ve been performing for so many years, are there cities or stadiums where you have had a bad experience on stage?
I never had any bad experiences except missing out on a flight but, I have always got love.
You recently completed 35 years in the industry. Looking back, what are the memories that you’ll always cherish?
I have seen so many ups and downs and today we are also struggling. It’s all because of the blessings of the almighty and the love of the public that we are singing. Whenever I look back there are both good and bad stories but the ultimate result was always good. I always cherish old memories and remember only good things and become happy.
Are there any memories or incidents that you would want to forget? If yes, please share.
I don’t want to forget any memories. I just want to forget the bad times. Everyone passes through some bad times and I would like to forget that. There is no such bad incident that has happened that I would like to forget.
You’re someone who has sung all genres. Whether it’s a disco song or a ghazal or a bhajan or a tragic sad song – you’ve always had the best of hits. If you had to pick one genre from all that you’ve sung, which genre do you personally love the most?
Of course, I would prefer the sad songs, romantic songs and love songs genres. I love to sing such songs.
Is there some music director with whom you’ve never collaborated and you wished to?
My favourite is Pancham Da. I could have collaborated with him but he is no more. He is my all-time favourite music director and I wish he would have been alive.
AR Rahman recently spoke up about the originality of songs and has refrained from creating remakes or remixes. What’s your take on the whole remix culture of songs in the current days?
I don’t feel remixes are bad. Because of remixes today’s generation comes to know about the old songs and gets to know about the original singer. This is a benefit for the legendary singers and it’s not bad to change the arrangement of songs. It’s always good. The original songs are original. We have 12 surs in music so somewhere or the other things get repeated.
If you have to pick one song which is closest to your heart, which you’ve not sung, which song would it be?
‘Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaaye Jab Koi Mushkil Pad Jaaye Tum Dena Saath Mera O Humnawaaz’.
There is always a constant debate about whether a person is born a singer or can one person learn the art of singing over the years with practice. What is your opinion on this debate?
An artist is always born and it depends on them, how much they work hard to make themselves shine. The more they work on their craft the more they will be successful.
In today’s times, music directors usually get a song sung by 9-10 different singers and then finally decide on one person’s voice to be kept for the final film. Have you also had such an experience where you sang for something and later on it was someone else’s voice that was picked up?
They are not satisfied with one singer because there can be a lack of confidence. The music director might not have the confidence about what work they are doing so that he can finalise one. One cannot decide in the beginning whose voice would be a perfect fit. When we used to sing songs, Nadeem used to say that we would sing for the Tiger so there is a mindset for that. Today’s music directors are a bit confused about whom they are making the song. They make a random song and then search for the singers on whom it might fit. This is totally wrong. You can’t try out different singers as your end result won’t be good. You should have trust in singers.
Why do we get to hear you so less in Hindi film music in today’s times? Is this culture of songs getting dubbed by other singers a reason for you becoming picky with what songs you pick up?
Definitely, I am choosy. I am happy with singing less but when some really good songs are made, I am called and today also I am singing. Recently you can listen to my song in 'Guns And Gulaabs' which I had sung for Rajkumar Rao. The music is by Aman Pant. It’s such a romantic song and when you listen to it you will know why people call me and I am very much happy with that. I don’t want to sing meaningless songs with no preference for lyrics.
Lastly, what next can we hear coming from your end?
I have been singing regularly and there are many upcoming songs. Recently I have sung 7 songs for an album called 'Dua' and 'Guns And Gulaabs'. I have also sung a song for Mahesh Bhatt’s movie. I am happy and grateful.