On-stage performances aren’t a new thing for Daler Mehndi. But on the sidelines of a recent music fest in Pune, the singer told us that he was waiting for such an opportunity. “I have seen many performers at such fests in the past. Sab bada drama karte hai. It’s more to do with putting up a show. So, I thought whenever I would be invited, I would put on a great show for people to realise asli music hota kya hai,” he said.

Daler paaji, as he’s fondly called, also spoke to us about keeping it real in today’s world, the trend of remixing old songs, and the longstanding popularity of his music.

Remakes and remixes have brought older hits back, albeit in a different manner. When asked about his take on the trend, Daler said it was a good opportunity to introduce the younger audience to popular songs from an older era but insisted on maintaining the sanctity of the music.

He shared, “Listening to someone like Pt Bhimsen Joshi made one feel they were having a conversation with God. That was the power of his talent. When you are attempting to bring any kind of old music back, the least you can do is seekh ke gayein aur sur mein gayein. Be it rap or remix, sur aur rhythm ka dhyaan rakhiye. I recently sang a remake of the 1951 song Ek Do Teen Aaja Mausam Hai Rangeen and liked it. I believe that remixes are important because they connect the current audience with music from our times.”

"I still feel happy remembering the time when my song Bolo Tara Ra Ra became famous, and I received a call from Amitabh Bachchan. He said, ‘Main aapke saath kaam karna chahta hu. Kya aap mere saath kaam karenge?’ That led to Na Na Na Na Re and that led to the gradual rise of popularity of Punjabi songs in Bollywood."

Recently, American YouTuber Darren Jason Watkins Jr, aka IShowSpeed travelled to India to meet

Daler Mehndi and even did a jam session with the Punjabi singer.

Talking about his meeting, Daler shared, “When he expressed a desire to meet me, I told him ki India aao milne but bilkul gaali ya slang nahi bologe. I am happy about the meeting, and we will try to work on a song together soon.”

“Language is hardly a barrier if the music is good. Take Naatu Naatu for example. Originally, it’s a Telugu song but it went on to win an Oscar. If the music resonates with people, the language you sing a song in doesn’t matter.”