He walked the ramp for Richa Ranawat, bringing a pleasant surprise for the audience with his Fashion ka Jalwa performance. The designers who produced exquisite works of fashion at the India Runway Week were Abhishek Roy, Yashika Tejwani, Saachi Thahyrama and many more.
The jovial Chhaiya Chhaiya singer discussed his love for Indian classical music, his passion for songs in general, and his upcoming projects.
“I started training when I was a child. I must say that it was destined that I’ll be blessed with music. It has been the best opportunity in my life,” said the singer. When asked which amongst all of his songs is his favourite he said, “All of them!” On pressing him to name one, Singh winked and said Fashion ka Jalwa... this song enhanced my happiness, it made me flirt!”
When asked is Chhaiya Chhaiya not his favourite, he said: “It just feels like yesterday that I had sung the song... it is ageless, whenever I perform I have to sing it, the same is with Jai ho and Chak De! India”
When asked how his experience was post Jai Ho, which gave him a direct international exposure, the playback singer explained: “Even Chhaiya Chhaiya was used in the film Inside Man... Whether a project is national or international, is not very important to me. Whenever I sing a song, I do not think of the international or national exposure. I have worked with people who have great potential like Rahman, Gulzar, Vishal Bhardwaj... I have also sung an English number for Meera Nair’s Monsoon Wedding (play), which will be performed at Broadway next month and has a Hollywood star-cast. There was Bombay Dreams by Andrew Lloyd Webber, where I even wrote one song out of the four that I sang... I concentrate on the charm of singing. I must say, Jo diwana hota hai, wahi durson ko diwana kar sakta hai (only passionate people can generate such craze).
“Chhaiya Chhaiya happened in Chennai. So I say, I’m a Chennai born baby (professionally)!” smiled Sukhwinder.
He also elaborated on his passion for learning by saying: “I studied music in England... I had travelled a lot in my childhood in Kazakhstan, Norway, Ukrain; these places are known for Russian Opera, which is considered to be one of the best. I love learning. I travel as it quenches my thirst for learning. Whenever I get time, I attend Indian classical concerts. I have started learning Indian classical music as well. In my childhood I was connected with Jazz, and my ideal is Paul Anka... and in Indian classical, I like Kaushiki Chatterjee; she is the best singer in the world. I’m not just performing, but I am also listening to other singers.”
To answer the question regarding his favourite singers at present, the Haule Haule singer pondered for a while and described: “Though it is difficult to name someone in particular, Lata ji and Asha ji are actually the best in their era, but we cannot dare to say ki abhi wo nahi hai, wo hai, but recently I have started liking Kaushiki and Britney. You see, a garden seems empty with just one flower, it only becomes a garden with a variety of flowers. I am happy to see fresh talents... After all, I too was new once...”
As the topic of playback singing for Shah Rukh Khan was raised, Singh said: “I always sing for characters, not for actors as they themselves play fictional characters which are very different from their real self. I have also sung for Salman and others. Shah Rukh has appreciation and friendship in his nature. Everybody in the film industry is basically very well connected to me, specially the prominent people.”
His witty reply to whether he has considered acting in Bollywood, which was accompanied by a wink, was: “We are blessed with music, and that is the best personality. I’ve got offers in the past and I still do get offers, but it feels good to be a handsome singer!”
Elvis Presley, the one who is considered to be the most stylish singer internationally is Sukhwinder’s inspiration and he said that he had never seen a more handsome singer like him (Elvis).
The celebrated singer is currently singing for Rangoon directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and Salman starrer Sultan. He said metaphorically that he likes to cherish every moment, and not rush when walking in a garden.