Showing posts with label Atif Aslam interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Atif Aslam interview. Show all posts
Sad, emotional songs come easily to me-Atif Aslam
7:41 AM
Mar Jaayen from Loveshhuda, Atif Aslam's latest, is a soft, romantic number that the singer finished recording in less than two hours
Debarati Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; February 5, 2016)
His music is all heart and
soul and that is what has got Atif Aslam millions of fans and love
globally. The singer, who has given many hits in the Hindi film
industry, and is known for his soulful renditions, is also looking
forward to acting in movies, provided he gets `intense and meaningful'
roles. He talks to us about his new song in Loveshhuda and more. Excerpts from the interview...
How did the song Mar Jaayen from the movie Loveshhuda happen?
I wanted to work with Mithoon since a long time. Actually, around eight years ago, we had worked together on my album Kuch Iss Tarah. This time, it was the label that brought us together and it was great working with him once again. He can captivate and adapt emotions in songs. He knows the kind of singers he wants. At that point of time, since it was for my album, it was different - there was no situation involved, there was no character to think about - it was straight from the heart. When you sing for a film, you have to keep the character in mind and there are so many creative people around you, who you have to think of.
What was the brief for this song?
Mithoon just told me, 'Sing from your soul' and that is what I did. There was no other brief. I didn't know the story and we recorded the song in just about two hours.
Are you always so quick with recordings?
Actually it depends on the song - if it is emotional, moody or sad, it works out better for me. This track was an emotional one and so, I finished doing it quickly.
So, you are more comfortable with melancholic numbers?
I am comfortable doing both kinds of songs sad as well as peppy. It is just that for a happy song you need to gear yourself up. You can try different styles and experiment with it or sing it in many ways - that is the reason it takes longer to record such numbers. Sad, emotional songs come easily to me.
What do you have to say about this song?
I really like the hook line, Tujhse juda hone ka tasavur, ek gunah sa lagta hai. Both lyrically and composition wise, this song has a very big stage hook to it. There are so many minor notes happening in Khwab mein bhi jo dekhle ye, Raat ki neendein ud jaaye, which is beautiful. This is one of the reasons I wanted to sing this number. I know that I still have to sing that 'one best song' of my life but this one definitely comes close.
How important are lyrics for a song to be a hit?
For me, the lyrics are the most important part of any song. Unless the listener is connected to the words, he won't get the vibe and it won't be a hit. The lyrics have to touch the listener and they should be able to relate to it the heartbreaks, emotions and happiness have to be relatable. Listeners should feel, 'Arre this song is about me, this is what had happened with me'.
What are you working on these days?
I am working on singles and am planning to go back to my roots. I have recorded a couple of songs and will do a few more. My recent shows in Singapore and Malaysia were unbelievable. I never expected that kind of warmth from the audience.
Your favourite music director and singer?
A R Rahman is at the top of my list. I really love him. He has produced amazing songs. I also like Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. And I feel Sonu Nigam is one of the greatest playback singers of all times. I revere S P Balasubrahmanyam.
Many playback singers have faced the camera as actors and also turned directors. What are your plans?
I think main pehle ek kaam theek tarah se kar loon... I had debuted with Shoaib Mansoor's Bol.
It was critically acclaimed. Post that, I have not got the right kind of script. I would love to act. I am looking for something that intrigues and interests me. I don't know why but people feel that I don't want to act -but that's not true. I am looking for an intense story.
How did the song Mar Jaayen from the movie Loveshhuda happen?
I wanted to work with Mithoon since a long time. Actually, around eight years ago, we had worked together on my album Kuch Iss Tarah. This time, it was the label that brought us together and it was great working with him once again. He can captivate and adapt emotions in songs. He knows the kind of singers he wants. At that point of time, since it was for my album, it was different - there was no situation involved, there was no character to think about - it was straight from the heart. When you sing for a film, you have to keep the character in mind and there are so many creative people around you, who you have to think of.
What was the brief for this song?
Mithoon just told me, 'Sing from your soul' and that is what I did. There was no other brief. I didn't know the story and we recorded the song in just about two hours.
Are you always so quick with recordings?
Actually it depends on the song - if it is emotional, moody or sad, it works out better for me. This track was an emotional one and so, I finished doing it quickly.
So, you are more comfortable with melancholic numbers?
I am comfortable doing both kinds of songs sad as well as peppy. It is just that for a happy song you need to gear yourself up. You can try different styles and experiment with it or sing it in many ways - that is the reason it takes longer to record such numbers. Sad, emotional songs come easily to me.
What do you have to say about this song?
I really like the hook line, Tujhse juda hone ka tasavur, ek gunah sa lagta hai. Both lyrically and composition wise, this song has a very big stage hook to it. There are so many minor notes happening in Khwab mein bhi jo dekhle ye, Raat ki neendein ud jaaye, which is beautiful. This is one of the reasons I wanted to sing this number. I know that I still have to sing that 'one best song' of my life but this one definitely comes close.
How important are lyrics for a song to be a hit?
For me, the lyrics are the most important part of any song. Unless the listener is connected to the words, he won't get the vibe and it won't be a hit. The lyrics have to touch the listener and they should be able to relate to it the heartbreaks, emotions and happiness have to be relatable. Listeners should feel, 'Arre this song is about me, this is what had happened with me'.
What are you working on these days?
I am working on singles and am planning to go back to my roots. I have recorded a couple of songs and will do a few more. My recent shows in Singapore and Malaysia were unbelievable. I never expected that kind of warmth from the audience.
Your favourite music director and singer?
A R Rahman is at the top of my list. I really love him. He has produced amazing songs. I also like Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. And I feel Sonu Nigam is one of the greatest playback singers of all times. I revere S P Balasubrahmanyam.
Many playback singers have faced the camera as actors and also turned directors. What are your plans?
I think main pehle ek kaam theek tarah se kar loon... I had debuted with Shoaib Mansoor's Bol.
It was critically acclaimed. Post that, I have not got the right kind of script. I would love to act. I am looking for something that intrigues and interests me. I don't know why but people feel that I don't want to act -but that's not true. I am looking for an intense story.
I'll act in a Bollywood film by the year end-Atif Aslam
7:52 AM
Atif Aslam also plans to release his first English album with Peter Gabriel by the end of next year
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 16, 2015)
Buzz is, you're acting in a Bollywood film?
Inshaallah. I'm a little confused between two films but I should be acting in one by the end of this year I've already experimented with drama in Bol. Now I want to play a romantic hero. Hopefully, I'll sing too. All my songs have been on the charts.
Why don't we hear you more?
I'm selective, focus on quality. Also, the audience needs a break. Recently, I took a couple of months off to focus on my life. And returned with the single Zindagi Aa Raha Hoon Main, which was released by Bhushan Kumar's label last weekend and has crossed a million views on YouTube. It was Tiger Shroff's idea. He's the opposite of his father Jackie Shroff who I was a fan of after Rangeela. It was difficult to perform choreographer Ahmed Khan's steps. Tiger had been rehearsing for months, I had only 20 minutes to practise. I'm doing more songs, singles and an English album.
English album?
Yes, I'm in talks with Peter Gabriel, who is my mentor. Inshaallah it should be out by the end of 2016.
Will you sing for Race 3?
I've sung a lot for the Tauranis in the last six years. Now that my contract with them is over, I'm free to sing for others. If Race 3 is made by another producer I will.
What's your equation with Fawad Khan?
He's a dear friend who used to sing with his band earlier. Their single was a hit but the album didn't do well and he moved to acting. He was appreciated in the TV serial Humsafar and now is doing really well in Bollywood.
Another Pakistani singer-actor, Ali Zafar, has turned producer. If offered, will you act in his film?
If the script is good, why not? He started his singing career before me, then we took over the market.
Devdas and Sholay released in Pakistan recently, did you watch either of them?
No, though I'd love to watch Sholay, it's a classic. Our audience prefers newer films and imitates the dance moves of Salman Khan and some of the new actors. I love India and Mumbai and would love to buy a house here. I hope we can bridge this divide soon. Everyone's trying.
You tried with the talent hunt TV show, Sur Kshetra on which Abhijeet Bhattacharya said that you couldn't sing. You didn't react. Why?
I don't like controversies. I try to understand where a person comes from and where he is. I could have responded in kind but that would have harmed this cultural exchange. So I didn't react, but my fans reacted for me.
Inshaallah. I'm a little confused between two films but I should be acting in one by the end of this year I've already experimented with drama in Bol. Now I want to play a romantic hero. Hopefully, I'll sing too. All my songs have been on the charts.
Why don't we hear you more?
I'm selective, focus on quality. Also, the audience needs a break. Recently, I took a couple of months off to focus on my life. And returned with the single Zindagi Aa Raha Hoon Main, which was released by Bhushan Kumar's label last weekend and has crossed a million views on YouTube. It was Tiger Shroff's idea. He's the opposite of his father Jackie Shroff who I was a fan of after Rangeela. It was difficult to perform choreographer Ahmed Khan's steps. Tiger had been rehearsing for months, I had only 20 minutes to practise. I'm doing more songs, singles and an English album.
English album?
Yes, I'm in talks with Peter Gabriel, who is my mentor. Inshaallah it should be out by the end of 2016.
Will you sing for Race 3?
I've sung a lot for the Tauranis in the last six years. Now that my contract with them is over, I'm free to sing for others. If Race 3 is made by another producer I will.
What's your equation with Fawad Khan?
He's a dear friend who used to sing with his band earlier. Their single was a hit but the album didn't do well and he moved to acting. He was appreciated in the TV serial Humsafar and now is doing really well in Bollywood.
Another Pakistani singer-actor, Ali Zafar, has turned producer. If offered, will you act in his film?
If the script is good, why not? He started his singing career before me, then we took over the market.
Devdas and Sholay released in Pakistan recently, did you watch either of them?
No, though I'd love to watch Sholay, it's a classic. Our audience prefers newer films and imitates the dance moves of Salman Khan and some of the new actors. I love India and Mumbai and would love to buy a house here. I hope we can bridge this divide soon. Everyone's trying.
You tried with the talent hunt TV show, Sur Kshetra on which Abhijeet Bhattacharya said that you couldn't sing. You didn't react. Why?
I don't like controversies. I try to understand where a person comes from and where he is. I could have responded in kind but that would have harmed this cultural exchange. So I didn't react, but my fans reacted for me.
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