Sallu’s boys

Why did you decide to sign up as judges for Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Super Star?

Wajid: Television pe nonsensical cheezein chalti rehti hai. That would not have matched our sensibility. We took time to find something to match our sensibility. There were offers from other shows also. They did not excite us. We could have done a hundred shows but it’s important that we are satisfied with the quality. We have high respect for Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. Choices are important. If we do two-three films a year it’s fine since the music is a super-duper hit. You could do 15 films a year but what’s the use if the music doesn’t do well?

Are you excited with the music of Dabangg?

Wajid: It is releasing on Id. The story is based in UP. We have explored the music in a different way, as we did in Veer and Wanted. Wanted was challenging as it was an action film but music got equal importance. When we look at the film we see how we can design it. Composing is no more about making a song, you have to design it keeping in mind the character of the hero, the situation of the song. Does the song count in the situation, if not you can rectify it… it’s a process of discussion. The film is very earthy. Folk kaafi hai iske andar. UP ke folk kuch alag kism ke hain.

Doesn’t an action film give less scope to a composer than a romantic film?

Wajid: I don’t believe that. How you can design the film so that it sounds good is what matters. If it looks good, it’s the cameraman’s work, if it sounds good it’s the composer’s work. Wanted was an action film. Look at its music (hums a couple of tunes).

You have sung many of your compositions. When composers start singing does that make singers insecure?

Wajid: Friends like Sonu Nigam call and appreciate my singing. When I sang Bang bang bang (in Hello) he said it was brilliant. Insecurity will form when people are fighting for a place. People like Sonu or Shaan and KK have achieved what they have. Today is a time of experimenting. You cannot survive with one style. It is true for both the singer and the composer. Deewana album released in 1999. People still talk about it. We did so much more… Chori Chori, Shararat, Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai, Tere Naam… Mujhse Shaadi Karogi changed a lot of thinking about romantic comedy. Then Partner, Veer and Main Aurr Mrs Khanna are of a totally different genres. As composers we have given so much variation.

Has working with Salman Khan in recent years been an advantage or a limiting factor?

Wajid: Mr Khan has never stopped us from working with others. It’s just that he brings out the best in us because of his involvement. The way he jams with us, it is great to work with him. He’s like an elder brother who’s very open — ‘Boss, this is working, this is not working’. His personal taste in music is brilliant. All his films have been super hits. He sang for us in Wanted. That song is so many people’s caller tune now.

Salman’s recent releases have not done well. Is that a worry for you?

Wajid: Nothing is a worry. Sometimes you go wrong... 100 per cent guarantee toh koi bhi nahin deta. What is most important is his fans are very loyal.

Are you confident of doing his next film also?

Sajid: Agla kaam kaun karega yeh malik jaane. Hamare saare career ke andar woh zariya bana hai. Log nazar lagate hain, chhoti moti baat chala dete hain. Touch wood, he is a big-hearted man and he believed in us. Koi aap se mohabbat karta hai toh aap ka dil kehta hai ki iske liye kaam zyada karo. He tells people: ‘These are my boys. They will do the job.’ Yeh confidence bahut bade niyamat hote hain. Just as we come from a gharana of music — Sabir Khan, unke father Karamatullah Khansaab, relative hain hamare — the Khan household, starting from his father Salim Khan, ek acting ka institution hai. Inki pasand ko agar humlog fulfil karte hain toh hamari khushnasibi hai.


Sudeshna Banerjee , t2