AMIT SANA
Slow, Steady, Sure
Rajiv Vijayakar
Posted online: Friday, September09, 2005 at 0000 hours IST
In the Indian Idol talent search competition 2004, he lost the title to Abhijeet Sawant by a small margin. Not at all bad going that, for a young man from Bhilai in Chattisgarh who almost failed to enter the Kolkata auditions on the technical deficiency of a missing necessary document!
But Amit Sana knew, even then, that something extraordinary was in store when his frantic efforts bore fruit and he managed a valid entry at the fifty-ninth minute. From then on, he just kept growing, as a singer, as a screen- and stage-presence, as a performer, and finally and presumably as a human being.
Since the various rounds began, Amit Sana has been a special favourite with both the masses and the media. When he lost the title by a hairsbreadth, his support group grew and his fans swore that Amit would be the lambi race ka ghoda (long-distance runner). Despite his throat problem that severely compromised his performance during the last stages of the competition, his innate simplicity and clear talent found relentless support. And as if to cash in on the Sana craze and to keep the Amit-Abhijeet competitive saga in full fettle, Sony-BMG Music, in their album Chal Diye..Amit Sana, has made Amit too vocalize the one number that has since become Abhijeet's anthem, 'Mohabbatein lutaaonga...', providing ground for a fresh debate between their respective loyalists as to who is the better singer-performer of the two.
Just as one is on the verge of asking Amit something about him that we don't know yet from all the media-hype, the young man gets two consecutive calls on his mobile. As his talks are liberally dosed with the words 'Mummy' and 'Daddy' and he speaks in a very non-Chattisgarh lingo, one frames the obvious question as soon as he 'hangs up'. And Amit answers, 'That was Telugu, my mother tongue!' with a smile that is a shade embarrassed at my double-take. 'Well, we are originally from Andhra Pradesh. My surname is actually pronounced 'Saa-naa', not 'Sa-naa'. And my family and many relatives are based in Bhilai from my grandfather's time!'
The shock over, we settle down for an interview. Excerpts:
What is the reaction of your parents to the way life has changed and become a mad whirl after Indian Idol?
They are just too happy about everything! My mother has now come here to live with me.
What was your very first reaction to the final verdict, your precise feeling at that crucial moment when such a massive glory slipped away from your grasp?
Honestly,buraa to lagaa mujhe. But that was a momentary feeling. If it had all been easy I would have felt it much more, but I realized that the position I had reached was because I had worked hard for it.
In my life I have never got anything the easy way, whether it was in matters of education, friendship or whatever, and if I did, maintaining that became a problem ! Main qismat se thoda peeche hi rahaa hoon as I am basically a struggler who gets there slowly. But that's not an issue because I am very tough from within and can take stress well. My ideal is Abraham Lincoln: He failed to make the examination grade as a clerk but finally became the president of America. So I think positive and rather focus on what I have accomplished, and think of how Luck has remained with me and taken me to a maqaam that others aspired to but could not reach. If you get something after lots of toil, the satisfaction is far greater.
Do you feel that Indian Idol is just a title that has nothing to do with your eventual progress or achievements as a singer and performer?
Yes, I do think that. A title or the top prize in a competition can only give you a start by making you known. Though I was very near to winning, I was always planning beyond the show. I have adopted a multiple-level strategy of making my own identity with the people, whom I realized mujhe pasand karte the. Even today, I am striving to developing contacts and overcome my limitations as a singer, and have never thought that now I am a star aur kaam milega aur milte hi rahega. To give a kind of parallel example, every Miss World or Miss Universe does not automatically become a topmost actress. At one point, the title is of little consequence, and may not be even recalled.
Are you into the classical kind of singer's struggles, like approaching music directors?
Yes, I am doing that too. Besides the established names,I am especially looking at friendships and more personal equations with upcoming music directors today. That way, the wait in the beginning may be a little longer but in the long run it really pays, because by the time you become a hit, there is also a dosti and a joint desire to showcase your best as a team.
During the show, everyone noticed the gradual metamorphosis in your outer crust because you seemed to be working on your looks, hair, clothes and so on. Was all this important for someone who wants to be famous as a singer?
I think so. If you look good, it boosts your confidence and makes your attitude full of self-assurance. And it is gender-specific too, because a man who is macho does not have to be traditionally good-looking. Today, the overall persona and style has become very important. Audiences tend to give you the image of a hero.
What about working on the vocal aspects?
If you have watched Indian Idol all along, you will agree that I always tried to have a certain punch in my singing.Logon ko lagnaa chahiye ke mere singing mein dum hai. My approach has always been to make a mark in every kind of song. Like in a romantic number the listener should be swept by the dreamy mood of the song.
You showed a special predilection for Sukhwinder's songs, like the title-song of Kisna.
Yes, I love Sukhwinder Singhji's energy. His rendition tends to be a little different, loud and packed with energy. I want to be a youth icon, where I can change the audience's or listener's mood fast from energetic to soulful and back.
Sonu Nigam has said that he has advised all the Indian Idol participants to establish a brand rather than just be content about becoming successful playback singers. Do you agree with that?
Yes, my approach is that I should become both a good playback singer and a performer, and have the image of a 'pop' artiste as well. As a playback singer, you automatically get great respect. But in today's age, you also need a strong personal image. You also need to show that you can be good at both the Indian and Western kind of singing and performances.
Who are your favourite music directors and which are your own preferences in musical genres?
I am not much into old Hindi film music. I like most of the new music directors' work and like varied other music. Recently I loved some songs in Raghav's new album.
Strangely, your album Chal Diye...Amit Sana has more remixes and versions than original songs. Don't you feel that this can be a disadvantage in terms of comparisons with the songs' original singers?
In a way you are right. But in the time available, it was not possible to get so many good original songs done that are different as well as suitable for me. And as you can see we have chosen some uncommon songs so that the album sounds different and fresh.
Are you the first ever singer in your family or was there music somewhere in your family?
My maternal uncle would sing bhajans and kirtans.
Have you recorded for any film apart from Salim's production with Sandesh Shandilya's music?
Yes, I have recorded with Anu Malikji for a Mukesh Bhatt film, and for a film that Santok Singh, who composed the recent hit 'Channa vey...' is doing. In Sandesh Shandilyaji's film,I have three solos and a duet with Shreya (Ghoshal)-ji.
Do you feel that you will be restricted to singing for very young heroes or new faces?
I hope not. I am confident that I can sound convincing even for Shah Rukh Khanji. It's all about modulating your voice, of giving it some bhaaripan for older actors.
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