Getting personal

Mona

Those in love with the voice of iconic singer Sukhwinder Singh would be happy to know that his latest single is out and that it stems from a personal experience.

Though this Chaiyya Chaiyya and Jai Ho hit-maker has kept his personal and professional life apart, in Atish Para the twain meet.

It all started when his music director asked him to describe something that touched his heart lately. He thought of a young boy who would bring tea to his studio. When the singer got to know that the little boy was an orphan, he gave him Rs 5000. But the boy returned the money, saying that he didn’t have a place to keep all that money.

“When he said that, something in me snapped. The boy’s hands were so small that the notes spilled over and I thought that this boy too deserved a normal childhood, attend a school and not a job. And I put all my resources to secure his future,” opens up Sukhwinder, who is happy to share that the boy goes to a school now and his education is totally taken care of for next eight years.

This is the narrative that you will see enacted loosely in Atish Para - shot in the singer’s own studio. The soul-stirring single urges everyone to make this society a better place by just being there for everyone.

Talking of social responsibility, while many of us managed to do with a congratulatory message for the Asian champion Women’s Hockey team on social pages on their win, this singer threw a success party with a cash reward for each player and sang Chak De and Jai Ho for them.

“Sports like hockey, badminton, and wrestling are not easy fields to break in and there isn’t enough money. I would urge those like me to stand out in support and do their bit!”

With the new single out, Sukhwinder is raring to do more. “I was telling Rahman to make people dance again. He mentioned, ‘every song of yours does’ but I really want to repeat the magic – a simple peppy song,” says the crooner, who has created magic whenever paired with music maestro AR Rahman! Not lending any weight to stories of personal animosity, Sukhwinder is happy that the entire industry has stood together for Padmavati. “I am just praying that Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who is as good-hearted a man and a film-maker par excellence, comes out clean and the film offends none.”

Quick takes

Awards? Want to recreate the Grammy & Oscar feat?

For me, appreciation holds more weight than awards. I have a feeling that soon there will be something as big as Chaiyya Chaiyya and Jai ho!

Do singers stand united?

“How many of the actual singers are there today? Just a handful, may be. Machines are singing more than men or women. But whenever need be, we sit together and take a call. I am open to be part of any  cause and definitely stand with my folks.”

You look forward to?

As of now – festivities. Christmas and New Year’s around the corner, it’s time to spread little cheer and bask in festive spirit. I wish everyone respects the other’s space and differences. Enjoy and let others too!