Excerpts from the Interview:
You've rocked as a composer before and now you're hitting off as a singer. Why didn't you start singing before?
It's not that I've started singing just now. There were plans formerly to introduce me as a singer in some other films. There were many supporters who wanted me to take up singing as a profession after hearing me at the sittings. But the chance came with Aashiq Banaya Aapne when for a particular song we wanted to have a fresh voice. There was none to match the song. After I composed the track I just did the version. Aaditya liked it and said that the song would be this. As a music director too I was satisfied with the outcome.
And Himesh the singer was born. It's nice to see that all your songs are turning to be chart toppers.
Though I'm singing right at this moment, in my mind I'm clear about the thing that I'm a composer first and music direction is my first love and priority. I'll only sing when there is a requirement. When the composer in me feels that I should sing, it'll be then that I'll sing. It's not that I'll be singing in all my compositions. I'll be very exclusive.
You are one of the most sought after music director of the time.
People like my music and I'm glad about it. Producers are coming to me and I'm having my hands full with thirty-five films at the moment.
Filmfare nominations for the Best Music Director category. Who do you think is your toughest competitor?
Shankar Ehsaan Loy with 'Kajra Re' are surely going to pose as a threat. But if the awards follow the popularity norms than it should be Aashiq Banaya because of its rocking sales. It has outdone any other albums of last year ten times more. Lakhs of copies of the album has been sold and it is still selling. I really want to own a Filmfare and I wish it comes true this year.
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There is no comparison to Sonu Nigam. As a composer I would say that he is a legend and very versatile in his own way. He is among the best singers we've at the moment. So undoubtedly he is my competitor. But I don't mind losing to him. But again if going by the popularity I do have a chance with the title track of Aashiq Banaya. The voice is the essence of the song. Rest is up to the jury.
What more in store from you in 2006?
Though I've many films in hand currently, only 15-17 albums will be released this year. There are big films with Subhash Ghai, Abbas-Mastan, Dharmesh Darshan, Anil Sharma, Vashu Bhagnani, and there are a few more songs also
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