In any case, of the three Indian Idol finalists, Rahul Vaidya remains the personal favourite of two of the three judges.
He had a sizeable chunk of the audience who had mentally voted him their idol anyway, Indian or otherwise. And today, as the second runner-up, he is the only one with spunk, commercial savvy and a dollop of attitude. And the attitude isn't a post-Indian Idol acquisition either: there are those who remember Rahul the kid (he's eighteen now) on a TV musical game show exhibit more than just a dash of cockiness alongside a barrel-sized confidence. Today, Rahul's self-assurance is paying him well: he reportedly commands the highest rate per show and also is the first of the three finalists to come up with an album that is completely composed by established music directors - for Sajid-Wajid have composed all the tracks of the album. Ensconced in a suite at a Mumbai 5-star hotel, Rahul Vaidya has finished a session with a satellite channel when we settle down for a chat. Excerpts:
You have opened your professional account singing for a middle-aged top echelon star whose image, unlike yours, is anything but soft and romantic, that too in a comedy film. Have you 'changed' your voice for him? How was the eperience of working with Anu Malik? Were you aware that your guruji Suresh Wadkar had sung several lovely songs like 'Aur iss dil mein...' (Imaandaar) and 'Hamrahi mere hamrahi...' (Do Dilon Ka Dastan) for Sanjay Dutt many times in the '80s? There are so many talent shows today, but the winners there have not achieved the popularity Abhijeet, Amit, Prajakta and you did. Does that give you any special high? Your first album Tera Intezar also has a kind of edge over those of your Idol colleagues - it is a proper album composed and written by one entity and designed towards your skills.
I have never tried to change my voice. I am just lucky that my beginning is with such a big film and a big star and I am grateful to Anu Malikji for giving me two songs in the film, 'God promise dil dola...' and 'Hello madam...'.
Oh it was fantastic! I had only seen Anuji as a judge and it was incredible to see him at work. I think that he is the betaaj badshah of commercial music today. He was surprisingly very fast, and I remember that it took me just 15 minutes to record my first song! He would just give me the feel of the whole thing, teach me, and then say, "Sing as you think best."
To be frank, no, I did not realize it then. But now that you mention it, I realize that it is an interesting thing and I am happy about this. In fact, there was another semi-classical song too that I have seen on television which Sureshji had sung for Sanjay Duttsaab, though I do not recall the name of the film.
No, because I think that all of us who are products of such competitions are not really competing with each other but with the top existing singers. It's a huge battleground out there, and that is where the real contest is.
Yes, I have been lucky . Abhijeet's album too was mostly original, but mine is completely so, has no song that has been heard before, and does not have a remix either. And it was a learning process working with Sajid-Wajidji.
Can you describe the experience of working with Sajid-Wajid on your album?< ="" src="http://banners.expressindia.com/banner/screenfullstory.js">< ="" ="text/" src="http://banners.expressindia.com/adsnew/adjs.php?para=no&n=533476960&what=zone:443&target=_blank&exclude=,">
Well, I have been their fan for a long while now. They have not done too many films but have given a great amount of variety within their work. They have a deep sense of melody and at the same time a readiness to experiment. I particularly loved their 'Kuch tum kaho...' from Sharaarat and their work in Tumko Na Bhool Payenge. Also I have been watching them for more than three years as judges on musical shows. It was obvious that they had a great knowledge of music.
So did you suggest their names to Sony-BMG?
Not at all. I came to know suddenly that the music company had approached Sajidji and Wajidji to do my album, and I was thrilled to know that they would be composing the entire album. When I met them there was instant rapport too, and on my first visit to their home, Mrs Sajid told me that she had been my fan during the show. As for the experience, it was truly inspiring and unforgettable. It was a privilege working with them.We worked at a very leisurely pace, without pressures but with a mission to do something exceptional. It took us six months to work out all the songs along with Jalees (Sherwani)-ji. And the one thing that struck me about these three people was that they were bent on doing great work and the words 'Chalta hai' and compromise did not exist for them. They would make me sing, and try me out on various murqis and harkatein and other vocal exercises to make me stretch beyond what I thought I could sing. They really tailored the album to me, and made me develop my singing abilities.
Was there an underlying concept to the album?
Yes, we wanted an out-and-out romantic album about a teenager experiencing various emotions in love, and exploring them through music. Sajid-Wajidji and I have always believed that good melodies work as well if not better than 'item' numbers. And Rahul Sud has done an amazing job of the simple video.
What is more difficult for you, singing an original song for a film or album, or singing a famous song to your best ability in a competition?
Hmm..I will have to think about this because no one's asked me this before! (Ponders) I think that when you are in a competition you just choose a famous song and do your best to show how well you can sing. But an original song is a bigger challenge. You have no reference point, you have to sing in your original style and discover your strong points and limitations and try to work on them. It is thus a process of self-discovery, even given the composer's ability and vision.
Did you ever make suggestions to Sajid-Wajid?
I did, definitely, and they would be entertained - or rejected - on merit. But they helped me tremendously in my self-discovery. In this album, as in their music, there is truly a lot of variety.
So what do you think are your limitations? And your self-assessed strong points as a singer?
I have some problem with the higher notes and am working on it. I am confident that I will overcome this in the next few years.
I have been learning classical music since the age of 9 with Suresh Wadkarji. I am 18 now and my voice has just acquired an adult timbre.
I think that I am a good and a fast learner.
That will give you an edge in professional playback singing today.
I hope so. Playback singing is a tough job, even for classically trained artistes. You have to be conscious of so many things simultaneously and still give your best. And opportunities do not come by easily, which is why I am grateful to all those who are responsible for my first album and for my debut film. I have also sung for a few more films.
What is your goal - primarily playback, or becoming a pop icon?
Unfortunately in India, it is only film music that is a consistently popular genre. Indipop has been on a decline. Indian Idol has raised the standing of singers and there is a craze for us as performers. But frankly to be a pop icon over here you need to be a playback singer first, so my priority will remain playback singing.
What are the requirements to be successful today?
Good talent and good PR are both important. Luck always remains as a factor of course.
It is said that 'Accha sunoge to accha gaaoge'. What is the kind of music you like to hear and who are your favourites?
I listen to everything. I cannot fall asleep unless I listen to music every night. My all-time favourites are Mehdi Hasan-saab, Lata Mangeshkarji, Mohammed Rafi-saab, Manna Dey-saab and Asha Bhosleji. I also love Sonuji, Uditji, KK, Alkaji and Shankar Mahadevan today. Among the old-time music directors, I virtually love all of them.
What about today's music directors?
I find the new songs and the new sound truly amazing. I do not know why we do not see the good qualities in today's music, like their newness, the new techniques and technological advances and the way they are completely hatke from the music we have heard till now.
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Shiv Shakti
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
