Himesh Reshammiya FANCLUB Part 2 - Page 113

Mumbai, Sep 14 (IANS) He's made waves with his Sufi-rock songs but has also got considerable flak for his nasal, high pitched singing. Well, composer-singer Himesh Reshammiya is now about to change his style.

"I know it has become a successful formula. But I can't stick to one style. When I was doing predominantly Indian styles in 'Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya' and 'Tere Naam', they said I can't do any other style.

"I now want to combine world music and Indian melodies. Today's target audience is 22 and below. I now want to aim at an audience that's slightly older," Reshammiya told IANS.

He has been often accused of repeating his nasal effect in his singing.

"I'm about to prove them wrong by singing a super-hit song in the middle range and a super-hit song in the lower range. I'll only let my work speak for me."

Rubbishing rumours about his starry ambitions, Reshammiya said: "I'm tired of people accusing me of starry ambitions just because I'm seen in music videos. I've no acting ambitions. I'm trying to fit into the mould of a rock star, like Michael Jackson and Bryan Adams. Otherwise, I'm as far removed from acting as humanly possible."

Though his music plays an important role in the success of a film, he refuses to take the responsibility.

"I don't think the music can make a film sell... From my side I've to make sure that every song of mine works. Last year I had a bank of 500-600 songs. Today I've 1,000 tunes ready. My focus is on melody."

Right now he is looking forward to Vipul Shah's "Namaste London" and Ram Gopal Varma's "Sholay".

Excerpts:

Q: You are the first composer since Nadeem-Shravan to sell a film to the audience.

A: I don't think the music can make a film sell. But yes, people do go to see my songs these days. But I can't be responsible for a film's success or failure. I've control over the music, not the way the music is used.

From my side I've to make sure that every song of mine works. Last year I had a bank of 500-600 songs. Today I've 1000 tunes ready. My focus is on melody.

Q: You have patented that Sufi-rock sound of "Aashiq banaya" and "Janaab-e-jania".

A: I'm about to change that style in the next two to three months. I know it has become a successful formula. But I can't be stuck to one style. When I was doing predominantly Indian styles in "Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya" and "Tere Naam", they said I can't do any other style.

Then I entered a new phase with "Just chill" and "Nikamma" - these connected big time with the young crowds. In barely a few months I shifted to the sound of "Aashiq Banaya Aapne".

I now want to combine world music and Indian melodies. Today's target audience is 22 and below. I now want to aim at an audience that's slightly older.

Q: Your insistence on singing your own compositions is causing a lot of heartburn.

A: I don't know why. I've sung just three or four of my own songs. If they're hits, what can I do? All I can tell the professional singers is that March onwards I'll give them even bigger hits than the ones I've sung. In Dharmesh Darshan's "Aap Ki Khatir" I've used all the top voices from Sonu Nigam to Shreya Ghosal.

I think I sing well. I've taken classical training from my dad. I waited for the right time. Today fresh voices are being accepted. But music direction will always be my main passion. I won't be singing in all the 30 films that I may do in the near future. I've never forced any producer to let me sing.

Q: Your singing has been called nasal.

A: Everyone has a point of view. What they think as nasal is a high-range voice. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan saab koto unhonein kabhi nasal nahin kaha (nobody called Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan nasal). I'm about to prove them wrong by singing a super-hit song in the middle range and a super-hit song in the lower range. I'll only let my work speak for me.

Q: Most music directors are flops when they do private albums.

A: But mine is the highest-selling album. I don't think there has ever been a private album with the production values and sales of "Aap Ka Suroor".

Where an average album sells 25,000-30,000 copies this one has already sold one million copies. In this album I wanted to try out music that's normally not possible in films.

Q: You're also seen in your music videos. Are you preparing to give Salman Khan a run for his money?

A: I'm tired of people accusing me of starry ambitions just because I'm seen in music videos. All I want to say is -- everyone who cuts an album does music videos. But because my songs are hits, my presence is more visible. I've no acting ambitions. I'll restrict my screen presence to my music videos. The concept of a rock star is alien in our country.

I'm trying to fit into the mould of a rock star, like Michael Jackson and Bryan Adams. Otherwise, I'm as far removed from acting as humanly possible. As for Salman bhai, he's my god and friend. My album "Aap Ka Suroor" is dedicated to god, dad and Salman.

Q: You've come a long way as a music director...

A: I work on every song as a student. If I start thinking about why people are calling me No.1 I'll go completely wrong. Today, I give filmmakers five instead of three options for every lyric. I've to keep going from Friday-to-Friday.

Two flops, and I'll be back to where I started. I give my best to every film. But I really think the impact of a song depends on the way it's used. Now I'm really looking forward to the response to my music in Vipul Shah's "Namaste London" and Ram Gopal Varma's "Sholay". Naturally there're expectations.

--By Subhash K. Jha