Javed Ali has been constantly travelling for his concerts in the last couple of weeks. But there’s a sense of calm and focus when he meets us for a chat. The singer slips between anecdotes and musings, occasionally humming a phrase to make a point, as he talks to us about making choices and how to keep things interesting for himself and the listeners.

​The first listen matters more than the banner or the buzz around a film for Javed. “This instinct has kept me anchored,” he says. From the soft romance of Jashn-e-Bahaara, Tum Tak and Saudebaazi, to the playful energy of Tinku Jiya, Nagaada Nagaada, Kajra Re, and the spiritual depth of Arziyaan and Kun Faya Kun, the singer’s discography is varied. “I don’t belong to a particular genre. For me it’s all about versatility,” he adds.

​The conversation inevitably turns to the current playback landscape and the singers defining it. When Arijit Singh’s name comes up, Javed speaks with both admiration and caution about the singer’s decision to step back from playback singing.

“I am sure Arijit must have made this decision after giving it good thought. I don’t think this is something he decided on a whim, especially at the peak of his career.”

The Kun Faya Kun singer adds, “I don’t really think he should have done this. He is a brilliant singer and one of my favourites. I’m sure his fans everywhere must be disappointed.”

​Bringing up the song Aashiqon Ki Colony from the upcoming O'Romeo as an example of how songs travel today, Javed shares, “The song has gone viral. At the same time, I feel that the virality is not just about the audio. One of the big reasons that song has become so popular is Shahid Kapoor’s hook step.” 

The visual, he acknowledges, can push a song into people’s feeds, and from there into their playlists.  “There are benefits to songs trending on Instagram because they reach more people,” he says. But he draws a line at letting it define creativity. “I don’t think artists should take a lot of pressure for that, though. A song has to work beyond a 30-second reel,” he adds.

​Javed says that technology, if wielded appropriately, isn’t a threat, but an advantage. For him, AI in music is a new space to explore. “When AI is used properly, like the way Sonu Nigam did by bringing Rafi sahab’s voice alive for a duet recently, it can be a great tool for music. I will probably do something like that too,” he says.