'People want me to sing in Amitabhji's voice'

Sudesh Bhosle, popularly known as Amitabh Bachchan's singing voice, has sung for more than 50 films including the new film Vivah, the not-so-old Jogger's Park and Company, and a raft of Bhojpuri films that do not star Amitabh. "And yet people still persist in thinking that I sing only for Amitabhji," says Bhosle, who is in Edison, New Jersey, to perform at the Navratri Mela.

"I am extremely fortunate to be associated with Amitabhji but I also have many songs that I have sung in my own voice," the entertainer, who has been around for nearly 25 years, continues.

"Ashaji (singer Asha Bhosle) who has given me big breaks also admires my ability to model my voice after Panchamda (composer R D Burman). And that is why she got me to sing the songs on the album Cha Cha Cha."  

Sudesh Bhosle chats with Rediff India Abroad Managing Editor Arthur J Pais.

What made you think of performing at the Navratri celebrations?

(Chuckles). The persuasion of the organisers and Kedar Bhagat, my friend and collaborator for more than five years. He is a wonderful percussionist and he has his own band. He told me I could do a very good job singing the Navratri songs. I finally agreed, even though for nearly three years I have been saying 'no.'

Why were so reluctant?

About 10 years ago, I performed at the Navratri celebrations in Mumbai and I had learned quite a few Gujarati songs. I think I did a good job but I found it very exhausting to sing night after night.

I was not at all comfortable with the idea of doing a similar thing but Pradip Kothari (the organiser of the event in Edison) and Bhagat convinced me that I could do it.

What kind of preparation did you have to do for the shows this time?

I had to learn over 40 songs. Surely, I could not learn all of them given the shortage of time. And that's why, unlike in my other shows, you see me looking at times at the written page on stage.      

Have you been enjoying the performances?

Even before the first show was halfway through, I knew the audiences were having a great time. They were enjoying not just my singing but also the singers from Gujarat. I then felt I made a good decision to perform at the Navratri events.  

You have been always been identified with Amitabh Bachchan, isn't it?

True, especially after the Chumma Chumma song in the movie Hum.

After the song was recorded (in 1991), many people including Jayaji (Amitabh's wife Jaya Bachchan) thought Amitabhji himself had sung the song. As the film's release approached and the cassettes were out, people could see that I was the singer.

That was not the first time I had sung for Amitabhji. But during the previous recordings, he okayed the song after it had been recorded. While Chumma Chumma was recorded, he was in the recording theatre. It was a very unnerving experience.

Many of your fans think of Chumma Chumma as your first song. When was the first occasion you sung for him?

The Chumma Chumma song was composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, who also composed the music for Ajooba, which was being made around the same time. They had watched me perform on stage imitating Amitabhji. And they got the idea to persuade me to sing in Amitabhji's voice. 

In Ajooba, I sang one song Yeh Ali, Mera Naam Ali in my own voice, and two songs in Amitabhji's voice.

Amitabhji had to approve of the songs. And he did so heartily, telling me with mischief in his voice, 'I don't remember exactly when I sang this song.'

Talking of breaks, many people would be surprised to know that I had sung a number for a famous composer before Laxmikant-Pyarelal gave me the opportunities in Ajooba and Hum.

This is news to me. Who was the composer?

I was introduced to the composer Panchamda (R D Burman) by Ashaji. He liked my voice and got me to sing a song for the film Zalzala, along with Anuradha Paudwal and Shailendra Singh. That was in 1988. But the song wasn't a big success. Soon he took me along with Ashaji to several concerts, including one in Hong Kong.

At the concerts, I also sing the songs made famous by the stalwarts. I sang Sunre Bandhu which was not only tuned but was also sung by Sachinda (S D Burman). Panchamda was so overcome that I had sung his father's song with great care that he embraced me in public. There were tears in his eyes.

People associate me with Amitabhji and I am proud of our association. But many of my songs in films like Love And God (for composer Naushad Ali and to be picturised on Sanjeev Kumar) either did not make it to the screen or were re-recorded in someone else's voice.

Before R D Burman and Laxmikant-Pyarelal recognised your talent, who else encouraged you?

Many of my college mates. I was into painting and singing from my teen years. I guess I was inspired by my father, a painter, and my mother, a classical singer. I used to do imitations for the fun of it but my friends took me seriously, especially my imitation of Amitabhji's dialogue in the film Muqaddar Ka Sikander.

Encouraged by them, I began to get the tapes of his dialogue delivery in films like Deewar and Lawaaris. Soon, I was imitating him on the college stage, and word spread. Some people in the movie industry caught my act. Then I started following his singing style after hearing him sing in the film Silsila.

My imitation caught the attention of Music Makers, a very big band in Mumbai in the 1980s. I got a lot of encouragement from the band's Ashok Kumar Saraf who is today my father-in-law. And through Music Makers, I got to know Kishoreda (Kishore Kumar) because it was his band too (Music Makers accompanied the legendary singer at his concerts).

One thing to lead to another, and soon Ajooba and Hum came up. When I say I have been around as an entertainer for 25 years, I also include my stage work singing at Kishore Kumar concerts.     

Who has been the greatest inspiration for you as a singer and performer?

Kishoreda. I have performed in many musical evenings headlining Kishore Kumar. I would open his concert singing a few of his songs and occasionally those of the singer K L Saigal that Kishoreda just adored. Saigal was his favourite singer.

What did you get most from Kishore Kumar?

I learned a lot about spontaneity, how he reacted with the audience, and how he would send the audience home satisfied. I watched his body language. And most of all, my self confidence grew a lot because of the encouragement he gave me.    

What do you enjoy most about live performances?

The electrifying atmosphere.

Though I have appeared with great singers like Lataji (singer Lata Mangeshkar) and Ashaji, the moment I am with the audience, I feel like continuing for ever. I also have a special reason for enjoying my performances abroad.

Is it because you get a bigger ovation here than in India?

(Chuckles). The reason is I get to sing some songs made great by the likes of Hemantda (Hemant Mukherjee), Kishoreda, and Mohammad Rafisaab.

I find there is a greater fondness for old songs in a live performance here. I pay tribute to these great singers in my performances. And I feel good about doing it.

Is there a particular singer whose voice you admire most?

There are two. Hemantda and Kishoreda. And at each performance, I pay them a tribute.

Do people still think you are Asha Bhosle's son?

Yes, and I don't think there is anything I can do about it.

The misunderstanding started because of the same last name, and the fact that I have performed with her many times.

I have said in so many interviews that I am not her son though she treats me like one. And yet, there are many people who are surprised to hear that I am not her son.

You once said that you regretted that your own voice was not used.

(Sighs). I have stopped complaining about it for quite some time.

So you have surrendered to fate?

Not really, but I know the reality -- that people want me to sing in Amitabhji's voice and do great mimicking.

How did you come to accept that?

Thanks to the advice I got from Anandjibhai (of the Kalyanji-Anandji composers' team). He told me: God has given you so much talent. You have a great gift for mimicking. Share your gifts with audiences. You are meant to entertain thousands using your gifts. Don't shy away from your destiny.  

Don't you have a song in the upcoming film Vivah?

I have a lovely solo and I am grateful to composer Ravindra Jain for giving me an opportunity to sing in my own voice.

What are the other movies we should keep in mind to hear your songs?

I have nearly a dozen songs in four films starring Amitabhji. In Babul, which is being directed by Ravi Chopra (who made the hit Baghban), The songs are by Aadesh Srivastav who also composed the numbers in Baghban. He is enormously talented. I have three songs in that film.

And then there is Bhootnath; the music is composed by Vishal-Shekhar, who are very gifted. I must say I have been extraordinarily lucky that I could sing for composer Ilayaraja. He is one of our most esteemed composers. He is the composer for Chini Kam starring Amitabhji and Tabu.

You have spent nearly 25 years singing and mimicking others. What do you pray for?

I hope to sing many more songs for Amitabhji. And remembering Anandjibhai's advice, I will continue to do great mimicry. Yet I also wish that I get to sing a few more songs in my own voice -- and get the due recognition for them.