The Rediff Sports Interview/ Krishnan Setlur

'We are behind Sabrina hundred per cent in whatever she does or decides'

Marriage?" asks Sabrina Setlur's father, Krishnan. "Yes, if it is proposed by Boris Becker! He has publicly announced to the German press that he and Sabrina are together. My wife and I have informed Sabrina that we are behind her hundred per cent in whatever she does or decides, as long as it is going in the right and proper direction."


German rap star Sabrina Setlur's parents Krishnan, a Hebbar Iyengar from Bangalore, and her mother Theresa, a Keralite from a village near Kozhikode, are both very proud of their two daughters and their individual accomplishments. The Setlur couple have been living in Germany for over 30 years now, and their two daughters were born and brought up there.

On the day their older daughter Sabrina was given an award by the ruling party in Germany for her cultural accomplishments, M D Riti spoke to Krishnan Setlur about his daughter, Becker, and her future plans as a singer. An interview exclusive to rediff.com

Is Sabrina's relationship with Boris strictly business?

Now that the cat is out of the bag, the answer is NO! Boris has publicly announced to the German press that he and Sabrina are together.

How did she meet Boris? When and where?

Sabrina met Boris and Babs [Boris's ex-wife Barbara Feltus] at the sports award ceremony, sponsored by Daimler Benz in Monte Carlo in May 2000. She was brushing shoulders with sports VIPs, Naomi Campbell, Prince Albert and Nelson Mandela.

How do you and your wife feel about all the publicity Sabrina's romance with Boris is attracting?

They were in Valencia (Spain) for the unveiling ceremony of the new Mercedes-McClaren sports car, to be driven by Mika Hakkinnen this season. That is how we came to find out. My wife and I have informed Sabrina that we are behind her hundred per cent in whatever she does or decides, so long as it is going in the right and proper direction. Naturally, if she is hanging around with a junky our reaction will be different. I hope to meet him today although I spoke to him just for two seconds on New Year's day.

What is the significance of the award that Sabrina got from the German ruling party today?

Today, Sabrina got the Frankfurt Skyline prize from the SPD, which is the ruling party in Germany. This prize is the first of its kind and tonight she was the only one to receive it. It is a cultural prize that is awarded every two years and is given in recognition of her music. The announcer of the function made it a point to remind everyone that Sabrina is a famous singer in her own right, and it is not just her association with Boris that has put her in the limelight now. As of this date, Sabrina has received three ECHO awards (the German equivalent of the British and US Grammy), one golden camera award (the German equivalent of the Oscar) and three VIVA awards.

How do you and your wife feel about Sabrina's choice of profession, which is certainly unusual for a girl of Indian origin?

We feel great about it. As a matter of fact she did her first CD stealthily and after it was completed, she gave me a studio copy with no name or picture on it. She just told me to hear it and pass some criticism on it. I was thrilled when I heard her voice and music on it; I had never expected to! Do you know that the CD sold 180,000 copies which bagged her first gold? She has won four golds so far.

How did she get into this line? Did she like singing from when she was a child? How did she get interested in rap and hiphop?

When I was growing up in Coimbatore, my mom would not let me listen to Western music because she was occupying the radio with Carnatic music. I then swore to myself that once I was on my own feet I would catch up on Western music. And I now have a collection to include German, French, and Italian music. This is how Sabrina got interested in music. And when she was young, she and her sister used to mimic Madonna.

She herself has told the media that she cannot sing. And since no German ventured into the fields of rap and hiphop, Sabrina decided to venture into that field with the help of her best friend and manager Thomas Hofmann. She did not have any difficulty in being accepted since there was a trio called Tic, Tac, Toe, which consisted of three half-black girls, competing with her. Tic, Tac, Toe are history now, thank God!


What music company does Sabrina work with now? What does Yvonne do for it?

Sabrina's company is called Pelham Power Productions or 3P. It was started in September 1995 and has 13 artistes under its wing including Sabrina. However, the company started doing well only after it found Sabrina through her schoolmate Thomas Hofmann. As for Yvonne, she handles the public relations of the same company, and is very good at it.

Is Yvonne a rising tennis star?

She was! She has now stopped playing tennis because of shoulder problems.

Did Sabrina find it difficult to gain acceptance, being an Indian in a country known to be mainly white, and with some prevalence of racism?

Racism is more prevalent in the eastern part of Germany. However, her concerts were always packed whenever she performed in that part of Germany.

How does she feel about her Indian identity?

Oh, she is very proud of it. She always tells her audiences that she is of Indian origin. In fact, even when the mayor of Frankfurt gave her that prize yesterday, he informed the assembled crowds that her heritage was Indian. Yvonne and she have even adopted two children from India.

Does Sabrina have any plans to visit India shortly?

Yes, both my daughters would like to visit India and all their aunts, uncles and cousins as soon as they can find the time to do so. Meanwhile, anyone who wishes to may chat with her through the Net. Her website address is www. sabrina-setlur.de.

What are her future plans, professionally and personally?

She will concentrate on music and will also welcome film offers. She has already had a small part in two films. So long as Boris is concentrating on her she will not cheat on him. Right now she is busy with a lot of projects like promoting two artists who are on her label and with the business relationship with Boris Becker.

Does marriage figure in her future plans at all?

Marriage! Yes, if it is proposed by Boris.

You mentioned Becker also has a business association with Sabrina.

Boris has an advertising contract with AOL and several others. Sabrina had one with CONSORS (discount brokers) and I believe she is having discussions with Motorola. Sabrina does not have a company of her own for business.