"I think Sonu Nigam is the best singer in India" - Himesh Reshammiya
By Faridoon Shahryar, July 7, 2007 - 11:43 IST
"Main bahut chota insaan hoon, bahut neeche se aaya hoon," said Himesh Reshammiya as we quizzed him on the media backlash in spite of the historical opening of Aap Ka Surroor (his debut film as an actor) at the Box Office. "I have never claimed that I am a star. I am not a conventional singer, music director or an actor. Everything that is unconventional has worked. Everyone who is against me has a reason. I have come a long way. There is some negativity from 1% of the critics….. hamesha se. Their point of view is…why he? Why Himesh Reshammiya has such kind of success? When the film started, they said 'chalegi nahin', then 'isko dekhne kaun jayega' and then it was 'ki ye singer paagal ho gaya hai'," Himesh said about a film that has stunned one-n-all with its Box Office collections although it was pitted against two biggies in Apne and Awarapan. Over to an IndiaFM exclusive as Himesh Reshammiya talks about the burqa controversy, 'differences' with Sonu Nigam, raaz of his originality, Madhuri Dixit, Koffee with Karan and lots more.
It seemed he had more to say to critics who have panned him with acerbic reviews and at times below the belt comments. We decided to let his energies flow. "I have never planned anything. Things have just happened. I have always said destiny is bigger than talent and God has always helped me; my fans have helped me. Otherwise it is too odd for a music director to turn a singer and get all the awards, and for a singer to do the shows and videos. And now this film opening well and doing well and being called a hit. Something unconventional takes time for people to accept it."
Why do you think you are criticized for whatever you do by a certain set of people? "I've not been able to silence my critics. That 1% is still against me while 99% people have blessed me. But that 1% has criticized Aashiq Banaya Aapne and my nasal singing. They have not been kind to Aap Ka Surroor but Box Office is showing another picture. The film has done very well commercially. And it has been appreciated by the masses as well as classes who have gone to see stress free entertainment. We had never decided to make an art film like Banaras, which earned critical acclaim but didn't do anything at the Box Office. Aap Ka Surroor was meant for commercial purpose, for entertaining the audience. But that 1% is still against the film. I appreciate them. I want to win them over and Inshallah I will win them one day," Himesh said.
There are reports that collections of Aap Ka Surroor dropped from Monday while a few other reports have already certified it a hit. "Collections are steady. If collections drop by 10-20% in a multiplex then no film has 100% collections over all days. But what affects me is this attitude of 'Who is Himesh Reshammiya? A TV serial producer turning a music director, then a singer, then doing shows and now being called an actor.' There were some divine blessings, people prayed for me and this happened."
A few of your critics who had panned your music and singing style earlier, now in the movie review of Aap Ka Surroor said, give me Himesh Reshammiya the music composer-singer any day but not the actor. "As an actor I feel my fans have loved me. And its very important that I satisfy my fans completely. Aap Ka Surroor is a tribute to all my fans. This happened to Sholay, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun and many more films. There are so many films that created Box Office history but were not appreciated by the critics."
We had put up a video of your first live performance at IIFA, Dubai, 2006 on IndiaFM Broadband. The response was phenomenal and within no time we received over two lac views. There is no doubt that you've excelled as a performer in a short time, so much so that you are also being labeled as India's answer to Michael Jackson. "I don't agree. I am nowhere in comparison with Michael Jackson. I am very thankful that you even thought of it. I'm trying hard. I want to do my best. My fans have blessed me. I'm unconventional but I'm common man's hero. The common man can see the journey of a true lover in me. When I sing a song, compose a tune, then, I feel it from within. I see to it that every word is heartfelt and it reaches everyone who has been in love. It touches that chord somewhere. I feel love is a universal emotion that connects globally."
Alright, but even the kids seem to love you. Why do they have such a fondness for you? "That is something I really don't know. I say my success is because of God, divine blessings and not talent. There are many more talented people in the industry who should have been more successful but God has been kind. Sameer ji; has used difficult Urdu words like Shab-e-firaq, Mohtarma or Suroor…when the album came out, kids started calling me Suroor Uncle and they sang…tela tela suroor…even Aap Ki Kashish Sarfarosh Hai…now all these hard core Urdu words are being used by kids. It is destiny. God has blessed me with these creative tunes which are purely Raag based and it works with kids as well," Himesh said.
Madhuri Dixit recently admitted on Koffee with Karan that she and her family is fond of your music. "I'm very happy. I am a very huge fan of Madhuri Dixit ji. She is a legend. I'm really touched that she said those things for me," a visibly moved Himesh said. There are reports that you would be seen on Koffee with Karan soon. "Yes I will. Karan ji called me. It's my honour and I'm so touched. I would definitely go for his show. I'm so happy." You've said it in your interviews that you'd like to compose music for Karan Johar's films. Now, would you like to compose music for him or act in his movies? "For Mr Karan Johar or Sanjay Leela Bhansali ji, Farah Khan ji or Yash Chopra ji, Aditya Chopra ji, Sooraj Barjatya ji, I would do anything. I have not got the opportunity to work with them. They are legends. I've been requesting them. I will try my luck again. If I get the chance I will be on top of the world."
A couple of days before the release of your film, you made it to the front pages of national newspapers clad in a burqa. Would you clarify once and for all, what exactly happened? "I respect Khwaja sahab a lot. I just wanted to offer my prayers. We had informed the security and the committee. They said that you can come but in 10-15 seconds the euphoria was such that we couldn't come out of the car. And the security couldn't handle it. There were around 10, 000 people and we didn't know what to do. Finally, Mr Qutubuddin who is from committee said that you wear a burqa and come as it will be better if you take the blessings. I was very keen on getting the blessings from Khwaja sahib. But I didn't know that I would get involved in a controversy. I didn't want to hurt the sentiments of anybody. I'm really sorry that I did this mistake. I asked for forgiveness from the committee members and they forgave me."
There's an element of Sufism in your music as well as singing. Is it because of your belief in Khwaja sahib? "Music is something that directly connects to God. Ahista Ahista, Namastey London even Tanhaiyan song in Aap Ka Surroor and Ye Tera Mera Milna are very divine tunes. Of course the orchestration is modern to appeal to the youngsters but basically they are very divine. Words given by Sameer ji are very touching, giving a lot of personal identification. When I compose a song, I pray to God to please bless me with a good song. The divine thing works and something comes from within and that's the way I compose. I can't take the credit."
You've had your critics but none of them have blamed you for plagiarism. You improvise a lot while singing your songs. Is that the raaz for your originality? "I see to it that I compose fresh tunes. When you copy an English song then you can't give your feel to it because it has been done by someone else. So, when you are doing something original, it might go wrong but if it works, it works big time. This is my feeling. When you copy, it can't work big time as it has already been done to death. With me freshness has worked," Himesh reveals.
Your shows in UK and USA were a rage. People see a junoon in you when you perform or while doing almost anything else. Where does that junoon come from? "When I perform, main duniya bhool jaata hoon. When I sing I don't think ki ye dekh raha hai woh dekh raha hai…ya meri shakal kaisi dikh rahi hai. That connection is important. When you connect with God, its bhakti, dua…it makes me concentrate. Music or work is worship."
Well, let's talk about Aap Ka Surroor again. One thing that everyone has liked is the presence of Auto-rickshaws in Germany. "Auto sequence was conceived by Prashant. I give him full credit for that. I used to compose music which was very Indian, like Tere Naam. The auto-rickshawwalas were my big fans. But when I changed my style to DJ, club, Sufi Rock…Aashiq Banaya Aapne, Just Chill etc. they changed their style and they played my music. It was a big gesture on their part. So, we did this sequence where they come to Frankfurt for saving me," Himesh said paying tribute to one of his fan group.
There are reports that there will be a sequel to Aap Ka Surroor. "Yes of course there will be a sequel to Aap Ka Surroor because the film has done well. There will be about two more films that I will be working as an actor. I will be singing and composing music in them as well. It will again be something unconventional yet commercial."
Your shows in UK and USA were named after Aap Ka Surroor the music album that you came out with last year. Will we see a different set of Aap Ka Surroor concerts keeping the film in mind? "Yes, we will have dialogues in next lot of shows, we will have different versions of Aap Ka Surroor and of course my songs from Red, Namastey London and earlier lot as well. It will be a package of 100 songs in a 2 and hour package. Very entertaining but the tagline of my shows will remain the same….Let's convert the stadium into a night club."
Finally, would you like to give your point of view on the differences between you and Sonu Nigam. "I heard the reports that he was upset. We have never ever spoken on this conflict between us. He is a colleague, for me he is the best singer in India. He has also sung in Apne. I love him, respect him. I don't have anything against him."
Himesh Reshammiya didn't flinch even once from answering any of the questions in this half an hour special. Even though Aap Ka Surroor has worked magic at the ticket window he wants it to keep going on and on. That defines the spirit of HR, the gallons of energy levels that ache for bigger glories tackling all odds. The phenomenon called Himesh Reshammiya….in other words….continues to Rock…in spite of the boulders of criticism, he continues to be egged on by the bouquets of appreciation from fans. Some call it curiosity value while others say….this is nothing short of hysteria. What do you think?
