WORKING ON THE CRITICS: Himesh Reshammiya

SUNDAY SPECIAL

WORKING ON THE CRITICS: Himesh Reshammiya

'I'm considering a full-fledged film career

Himesh Reshammiya won't just compose. He'll only accept offers to do music for films if they allow him to act and sing as well, he tells Piali Dasgupta

Just back from Amsterdam...
I became the first Indian to perform at the Heineken Music Hall there. They'd never approached an Indian before. But I didn't perform there just to create a record. It was a great experience singing in a packed auditorium. Nearly half the crowd comprised Asians and Indians. The rest were from different parts of the world. In India, I plan to do one show a year for street children.

I'm excited about meeting Jackie Chan...
He's supposed to come down to India to release the music of the Tamil film Dasavatharam. But I haven't spoken to him yet. This is the first time I have composed for a Tamil film and I have also sung a song for it. But after Dasavatharam I won't be accepting offers only to compose for a film. I want to act, sing and compose for all the films I'm offered. I'll consider an offer only if it allows me to do all of the above. The script should also be appealing.

I said I didn't want to act in films...
That was before Aap Ka Surroor happened. I had just done my first music video when people asked me to give acting a shot. But I wasn't ready for it then. But after the success of Aap Ka Surroor I'm considering a fullfledged career in films. But I won't do more than three films a year. I don't think I'll have time for more than that. As for the critics, I'll try to win them over.

The sequel to Aap Ka Surroor is being scripted now...
Prashant Chada, the director of the original is working on it.

Karzzz is my next film...
And I'll start shooting for it from January. The only thing common between Karzzz and OSO is the reincarnation theme. We're following the original plot, but giving it a contemporary look. There will be a choreographed number featuring me in Karzzz. The extra zzz's in the title have been added following numerology. I follow numerology and added an extra 'm' to my surname eight years ago. As for the star cast, Urmila Matondkar will play Simi Garewal's role in the original. I'll be paired opposite a new girl; we haven't yet finalised whom.

I've signed two other films...
Kajraa Re, written and conceived by Mahesh Bhatt, is the story of a man who falls in love with a girl he meets in Morocco, only to discover later that she's a sex worker in Hiramandi, Pakistan. There are nine songs in the film, composed by me. Then there's A Love Isshtory in which I play a tapori. It's a love story between a tapori and a rich girl.

I'll be cast opposite fresh faces...
In all my forthcoming films, I've decided to work only with newcomers. All my projects, whether music videos or films, with debutantes have met with huge success. Besides, I like to keep the audience guessing about who the new face will be.

I sport different looks in each of my films...
My look is being monitored by my sister Rupa. I'm also working out religiously and have lost eight to nine kilos already.

I have to approach every character in a different way...
I don't know how the audience will react to the different roles that I'll play. Only God can decide that and I let Him rule my life.

I'm in the process of setting up music schools across the country...
It's my dad's dream that I'm fulfilling. There will definitely be a branch in Bangalore. It'll be a one-of-akind music school with professional teachers from different parts of the country. The project reports are still being made, so it's too early to talk about it.

I don't like to talk about my personal life...
I have consciously kept my family away from the media glare. That's only because I feel people should know me by my work alone.


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