Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; July 3, 2024)

Bhajan maestro Anup Jalota recently moved into a sea-facing flat in Shivaji Park. Seated in the living room of his 20th-floor duplex apartment, the Padma Bhushan awardee spoke about new beginnings, his two failed marriages and Gen Z’s connection with spiritual music. Excerpts:

You are an exponent of spiritual and devotional music. Do you think the younger generation has an appetite for it?
I feel that people don’t fully understand the depth of spiritual or devotional music. Having said that, I do find songs like Achyutam Keshavam and Lagi Lagan buzzing on youngsters’ phones. Even in music reality shows, I hear youngsters singing interesting classical songs.

Some musicians feel that film music today lacks soul. What are your views on this?
No, that’s not true. I sang Solah Baras Ki with Lataji in Ek Duje Ke Liye decades ago. Film music was good back then and it’s equally good now. For a film like Dabangg, there needs to be a song like Munni Badnaam, and for a film like Border, you will need a soulful song like Sandese Aate Hai. Our musicians are versatile. For instance, Anu Malik has composed the peppy Aaja Meri Gaadi Main Baith Jaa as well as the soulful Moh Moh Ke Dhaage. I do feel that the quality of our films has gone down over the years, but there is no dearth of soulful music.

In 2018, your link-up rumours with singer Jasleen Matharu in the Bigg Boss 12 house created quite a controversy. Did those rumours affect you professionally?
I am not in touch with Jasleen. Everything was fake about us inside the house, but I enjoyed the publicity. Everyone knows she did it for Bigg Boss and I played along! After the show, we acted in a film as well. The show helped me gain young followers who downloaded my songs. The controversy did not affect my work or career.

On the personal front, you have been married thrice. How do you look back at those relationships and what have been your learnings?
Sonali (Sheth) was my first wife, but we had our personal issues, so the marriage did not last. I’m glad she married Roop Kumar Rathod. My second marriage to Bina (Bhatia) lasted for a year. We failed to understand each other, and we weren’t on the same wavelength. After learning many lessons from my two failed marriages, I finally married Medha (Gujral) and lived a happy married life for 21 years. We have a son, Aryamann, who lives in New York. Unfortunately, Medha had health issues and she passed away in November 2014. I found a great companion in Medha. I learnt how marriage requires hard work and understanding.

Do you feel the need for a companion?
At 70, I don’t feel the need for a companion. I have many friends, and I enjoy hosting them at home. I love to travel and perform across the globe. I love acting as well and people liked me in Pataal Lok. Music and friends complete my life.
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This new home is a refreshing change’
Anup Jalota shares, “My previous apartment building went into redevelopment, and I wanted to find a house in Shivaji Park. I saw this sea-facing duplex and I fell in love with it. The sea view from the balcony is fantastic. My biggest priority was having a music area for my students. At this age, one does not want to move and find a new place, but this is a refreshing change.”