'Not every singer could've done Ganpat'

The hit Sawan mein lag gayi aag catapulted this Punjabi munda to fame almost a decade ago. But more recently, the chartbuster Eh Ganpat (from Shootout At Lokhandwala), a smashing rage with youngsters, has been consistently ruling airwaves.

Mika, Daler Mehndi's brother, has a distinctive style and voice. Swati R Chaudhary discovered more about the man who only believes in competing with himself. Excerpts:

How did Ganpat happen?

Sanjay Gupta (producer, Shootout) always expressed his admiration for me. We were trying to work out something since the past six years, but nothing materialised since both of us were always busy and caught up with our own stuff. I met him at a party one day, and that's when he showed me the trailer of Shootout. I was completely bowled over, and agreed to do it.

Were you skeptical about living up to his expectations, considering this was your first big break?

I was not skeptical or nervous at all. I always believed in myself so there was no question of letting anyone down. I knew it was a big break, and hence I wanted to do something different, something out of the ordinary. Sanjay Gupta and Apoorva Lakhia (director, Shootout) insisted that only I could do that particular song. They thought I had the 'attitude' and 'style' to pull it off.

The response has been truly overwhelming. The best compliment you received so far?

I am very grateful to Sanjay and Apoorva for being the people they are. They've been more than cooperative and open to ideas. There was no nitpicking or interference of any sort. They would willingly incorporate changes that I suggested and I was given all the creative freedom. The song has turned out to be such a huge hit. I couldn't have asked for anything more.

There have been compliments galore. But the one I cherish the most is the fact that everyone is aware of this song, and more so, that it's sung by me. Everyone knows about Ganpat and that gives me immense satisfaction. I went to Canada and was shocked that youngsters out there knew about it. That gave me the ultimate high, because youngsters generally prefer western music, trance and hip-hop.

How did you create this song? Wasn't a tapori song like this challenging?

The song suits my image and I could relate to it. I had that 'attitude' and 'power' in my voice, a requisite needed to create that song. Only if I had it in me, could I send it across the celluloid.

Moreover, I just didn't concentrate on that song; I completely engrossed myself in the making of the film. I learnt the story line; I visited the place in Lokhandwala (Swati Apartments, where the shootout actually transpired) etc. I lost myself understanding the movie in totality, so that made it very easy for me. My college life also helped me in lending that tapori touch to the song. Not every singer could've done Ganpat.

Hasn't Ganpat given a new dimension to your career?

There's nothing like before Ganpat or after Ganpat for me. I've always been very selective about my work. I've always been like this and I'll always stay like this, regardless of hits and flops. My song Sawan mein lag gayi aag did a world of good to me. I believe in quality work and I put my heart and soul into everything I do.

So life hasn't really changed post Ganpat. Even when I had just started of, some lucrative offers came my way that required me to play an actor/villain; it's just that I knew what I wanted to do then. Though, of course, there's no denying that I am indebted to Sanjay Gupta. He even loves Sawan mein lag gayi aag and he's using it in his next film, Woodstock Villa.

People called you a nasal singer when Sawan mein lag gayi aag hit the charts.

I am a very bindaas guy, who cares two hoots about the world. I am the last person to get cowed down by anything or anyone. With Sawan mein, I wanted to attempt something different. I didn't care what people thought of me then. In fact, I think I became the trendsetter with this song. The nasal twang is catching up now. Likewise, that was a rare video, which featured a Bollywood celebrity (Gulshan Grover) and these days, you see film personalities making appearances in music videos so often. So everything I did (long hair, stubble) has become a fad now.

You maintained a low profile subsequently?

No. That's a misconception I'd like to resolve. I am Delhi-based and here, in Mumbai, there's a myth that only if you live in close proximity to the media and only if you're a part of the Page 3 fanfare you're successful. I stay in Delhi, miles away from the film industry and managed to carve a niche for myself. I think that's really difficult.

I sold seven lakh copies of Gabru, I have hits songs like Something something to my credit. I earned enough name and fame for myself in my career spanning nine years. Moreover, one gets into controversies only if one is famous. That itself dispels this myth.

But your career wasn't as successful as your brother Daler Mehndi.

Daler Mehndi is a legend. I am not even competing with him. To say that he is a great singer is a huge understatement. No one can be Daler Mehndi, no one can be bigger than Daler Mehndi, not even I. But still, I managed to find a foothold in showbiz, despite being his brother.

You must've had your share of tough times?

I never really had to struggle to be where I am today. By God's grace, I've released five albums in my career spanning over nine years. People do item songs to get famous so that they can perform at live shows abroad. I have a different theory. Even if I do one song in a year, I want it to be an instant hit. Like I said, I believe in quality.

Moreover, there's a lot of difference between 'struggle' and 'hard work'. Struggle is despite being a good artiste, you don't get work. And hard work is slogging it off despite getting good work. I do approximately 10 shows every month. The love of my fans keeps me grounded, it keeps me going. I never really encountered bad days or had tough times, in that sense.

Is it true that you played the harmonium when you just ventured out?

I wanted to become a music director and not a singer. I played the harmonium when I was 14 during Ramleela celebrations and made Rs 3000. Not just harmonium, I learnt to play 50 instruments like tabla, guitar and percussions because I wanted to be a music director.

You recently raked up another controversy surrounding Rakhi Sawant, alleging she's already married?

I have no issues with Rakhi Sawant or anyone else. It's just that I want people to know the truth. She tried to cash in on the 'kissing episode' to become popular. She blew it out of proportion to malign me.

Why will I ever indulge in these cheap gimmicks and publicity stunts? My work makes me popular. People have never stopped me from performing in and around India. I've even performed at a sacred place like Kashi – and that is post-the kissing controversy. That speaks about my fan-base.

She's the one who's been banned from performing at places. My fans didn't let her perform -- contrary to the general belief that it was because of her skimpy clothes that she was barred from doing shows.

She's already married to some 'Y' Khan and honeymooned in Kashmir. Her marriage to Abhishek (her current boyfriend) is her third marriage. People feel she's gutsy and speaks her mind. Then why is she not facing me now? What is she scared of?

We have a great rapport and we try to make time amid our busy schedules. We do catch up whenever time permits. In fact, we are planning to do a song together now. We have done quite a few shows together, but this is the first time we'll actually be working together.

I never really asked for any help from anyone. I wanted to make it big on my own. I never tried to cash in on Daler Mehndi's name for better prospects. My career is going great guns and I am happy about it. 

There is a Canada based producer Jasvinder Singh's offer and a Hollywood project (as an actor) as well. I am still in talks with them. There are quite a few things happening but I rather not talk about it right now.