| Anu Malik |
| Himesh Reshammiya |
Anu Malik cancels contract
The music composer refuses to share sound space with Himesh Reshammiya in T series film
Subhash K Jha
* I'm not trying to make a career as a singer
* Anu Malik spits venom at fellow musician Himesh Reshammiya
Professional rivalry and a fall-out had been brewing between Himesh Reshammiya and Anu Malik for some time now. But the fracas has come on faster than one imagined. It was bad enough for Anu that Himesh Reshammiya's numbers were riding high on the charts and he subsequently walked away with all the popular awards this year. But the final blow to Anu's pride was delivered when T Series brought together Himesh and Bhushan Kumar's sister Tulsi Kumar for an added song in the Akshay Kumar-Katrina Kaif romance Humko Deewana Kar Gaye, a film for which Anu was composing music.
"I've had issues earlier with people like David Dhawan and Mukesh Bhatt for bringing other composers into the picture," says Anu.
"But I was given to understand that the whole score in Humko Deewana….is mine. In fact, I never do soundtracks where I have to share sound-space with others. How was I to know that a song will be added after the release of the album?"
Anu admits that Himesh's number came as a shock to him. "I had no idea this was coming. I've now decided to get a written contract with every producer; this will ensure no other composer being brought in at the last minute. I've spoken to Harry Baweja about it. I told him I'll do his son's Love Story 2050 only if I have it in writing that I'll be the only music composer. Harry is a sweet man. He understood what I've gone through."
"It's very clear that T Series is promoting one music director only. I wish them all the best," adds Anu. "I'm happy with my daal-chawal. I don't want biryani. I'm not looking for a career as a singer. In fact, after this incident I went to Bhushan Kumar and asked him to cancel my contract with T Series."
The music director had recently signed a three-year contract with the music company as composer and singer for non-film albums. "As I said I'd rather focus on my composing career right now. So this incident (with T Series) has been a blessing in disguise. It has helped me to get my priorities right. I don't want to do private albums. Not when J.P. Dutta's Umrao Jaan is around the corner. At this point in my career, I'm looking to compose for the likes of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra. I wouldn't have been able to do so if I had to divert my energies to private albums."
Reacting to Anu's outburst, Himesh replies, "I've the highest regard for Anuji. He's my senior and I've been deeply impressed by his track record. I've no interest in poaching on anybody else's domain, least of all Anuji's. I agreed to do the song for the promotional video of Humko Deewana Kar Gaye only after T Series showed me the NOC (no objection certificate) from Anu-ji. If he had an objection to my song, then why did he give them an NOC?"
Meanwhile, Bhushan Kumar of T Series says, "We see absolutely no reason for Anuji to be upset with Himesh doing the promotional song. Does he say he had no choice but to give the NOC? I don't know what he means by that. There was no pressure on him to give the NOC. We're going to put out a new edition of the Humko…. soundtrack with Himesh's song in it."
ANU MALIK
• Composer-turned-singer
• Judge on Indian Idol
• Known to be brash and rude with contestants
• Had differences with Farah and Sonu over contestants
• He used shayari to describe the performance but never praised contestants
• Promised to give some contestants a break in Bollywood
HIMESH RESHAMMIYA
• Composer-turned-singer
• Judge on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa
• Boasted about and promoted only his protg Vinit
• Never had any arguments with co-judges
• He was vociferous in his praise for Vinit resulting in his protg's over-confidence
• Vinit has sung for Himesh in the film Rocky
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