Abhishek Shukla (BOMBAY TIMES; December 28, 2019)

The yesteryear’s singer and actor, Shailendra Singh of Main Shayar Toh Nahin fame was in Lucknow to meet his sister recently. In a candid chat with the team, the Do Jasoos actor talked about how Bollywood music has changed over the years and more.

Ask the Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se singer about how music has changed in Bollywood since the Bobby days, and he says, “There is no music in most of the songs today, it’s mostly noise! Lyrics too are not that great in today’s time. Do you find any meaningful song today, no na? Ek-aad gaana aata hai acchha, woh bhi kabhi kabhi. Music directors are catering to the younger lot and for them, rhythm is more important now. So, technically we have advanced a lot, but not quality wise.”

He adds, “There were good writers, directors, composers earlier. Name a good composer today? Because they cannot compose, so they are coming up with lots of remixes. Keyboard bajane waala composer nahi hota kabhi bhi. Pehle situation ke hisaab se gaana likhte the, lyrics were meaningful and were in sync with the story. But in the present time, putting a catchy word in a song is in vogue. So what happens is that these songs are played for 10 days in pubs and then they are forgotten. Even Punjabi songs and music, which is quite popular these days, don’t have a shelf life.”

The Jeete Hain Shaan Se singer is also of the opinion that folk music in Bollywood should be promoted. “Folk is the root of music and if you bring that to Bollywood it will definitely be a hit. Because it has melody and rhythm and accompanied by good lyrics, it touches your heart. For example, a song from the film Teesri Kasam – Chalat Musafir Moh Liya Re, a folk song from UP, composed by Shailendra ji, was a superhit song. Kalyan ji bhai ne bhi Gujarati folk songs garba style mein diye hai, which were hits.”

Talking about reality shows, the Hum Tum Ek Kamre Mein Band Ho singer, who appeared on Indian Idol recently, believes this platform brings a lot of talent in the front, “These singing reality shows are bringing in good talent and are providing a platform to budding singers. Kamaal ka talent hai aaj ki generation mein. Not only youngsters but even the kids, too, have immense potential. They are so ready and full of confidence, that it surprises me at times.”

Quiz the Lambuji Tinguji singer about the short-lived fame for these reality show winners, he is quick to respond, “Destiny plays an important role in our life. Ab destiny Shreya Ghoshal ki, Sunidhi Chauhan ki acchi thi so they got that much name and fame. But everyone can’t be a successful singer in Bollywood, though they often get to do a lot many shows and stage performances.”



Shailendra Singh came to be known as Rishi Kapoor’s voice after the success of the song, Main Shayar Toh Nahin from the film Bobby