He was one singer-composer who had so far stayed away from reality shows except as a celebrity guest. But Sukhwinder Singh has succumbed to the lure of a talent-hunt and is judging Star Voice of India
You had said that you would never be a judge on a reality show. So what made you change your mind?
It's true that I never wanted to judge a show. Even now I am not completely convinced about my role. Technically, I have signed the contract as a judge, but my idea is to do something else. I agree that the shows are motivating, but I don't like the presentation. I find it very negative. The contestants are interested in the crores that they will win and in name and fame. They lose their soul and forget that the song has to be sung from the heart. The judges overreact to performances, get hyper and consequently create a lot of tamasha. When I got this offer, I was told that sometimes in order to get TRPs one has to resort to drama. I disagree and have told them that there are other ways in which the show can be made more interesting. I have taken it up as my duty, a responsibility to convert all that tamasha into style.
How do you propose to do that?
If you have seen any of these reality shows, you must have noticed that the atmosphere is very tense on the sets. The participants are extremely nervous about their performances and the judges' reactions. I want to convert this tension to attention. I don't want them to be stressed. It robs them of their potential for a natural performance. Even if they fall short in their rendition, I believe in explaining to them gently and lovingly. Most judges just suffice by saying, "Tumhara sur theek nahin tha" and sometimes just being rude. I have seen to it that my contract states that before a performance, I will speak to the contestant for a minute. It is my way of talking and putting him or her at ease.
Your co-judge Ismail Darbar is known to be brash and rude...
(Cuts in) Yes, I have heard about that. But Ismail and I go back a long way. I have worked with him before and we share a lovely relationship. Even Monty Sharma is a good technician and a natural composer and the three of us have quickly reached a understanding regarding the way we are going to judge the performers, I am lucky. They have accepted my way of thinking.
Are you happy with the contestants of your show?
We have to choose the best from the shortlisted contestants. I would like to know who is auditioning and bringing the contestants. I think that we judges have to be involved from the initial stage. I just heard a singer from Punjab and I know for a fact that the state has immensely talented singers. But I was let down by this contestant.
What according to you is wrong with today's reality shows?
When the music-based shows started, it was all about passion and entertainment. Prizes were introduced, talent-hunts came into the picture and the passion got converted into attraction. Gradually, that gave way to competition and now it is strictly about egos. Secondly, the social elements are missing in the participants. Music is a continuous learning process and their attitude has to be humble. Even I am learning through this show. Contestants from various states are coming in and I am getting to know the different kinds of folk music and their cultures and traditions. It is informative and educative. In fact, the other aspect I want to highlight and which is missing in the shows is education. Suddenly, people are feeling that music and education are two different things, which disturbs me. Six months ago, I had gone to this reality show that was a talent-hunt for children. I asked one of the contestants, which standard she was studying and she said, "I was in the fifth standard". Can you understand what I am saying? She had quit her studies to be a part of the show! That's how deep the virus has spread. Mark my words, after a year, you'll find somebody from the education department on the board of a reality show.
You seem to have deeply thought about the issues.
I have. I strongly feel that education is extremely important. For instance, I have got an offer to sing in a film on Tatya Tope. My job is to go through the lyrics, get the music and sing. The song may go on to be a hit and may even win awards. But I don't think that's what music is all about. I have bought a book on Tatya Tope and am reading it to get an essence of what he was all about. In school, I have read about him but if I have to sing I need to know more about him and get a feel of him. Only then will the song get the chak de nasha.
Which amongst your forthcoming songs are potential hits?
I have an interesting song Marjaani in Billoo Barber which is written by Gulzarsaab. I have sung two songs for Shah Rukh Khan in Aditya Chopra's Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. There's this AR Rahman song for Airtel. It's an emotional but danceable number in Elvis style for a Hollywood production. I am composing for Rajkumar Santoshi's Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhiya.
