Comeback star

IN CONVERSATION

Punjabi pop singer Daler Mehndi is on a high these days with the title track of the song Rang de Basanti doing so well on music charts. In the limelight for all the wrong reasons last year " he has been accused of human trafficking " he tells Business Standard about the turnaround in his life, his music and his company.

'Rang De Basanti' is a hit, congratulations...

I never imagined it would do so well. A R Rahman made me hear it on the mobile after which I went to record it in Chennai. To be honest, I was sceptical but after we recorded it, I knew this song had potential. Happy to work with A R Rahman?

We've done a film called Lakeer before, but the film flopped so the songs didn't pick up. I troubled him (Rahman) a lot and convinced him to raise the pitch of the song. I also ideated the tune with which the song begins.

You have had your fair share of controversies. Why do you get into trouble?

(Laughs) Yes, I was accused of human trafficking. My business has really suffered. There was a time I earned close to $45,000 for shows in the US. Today, those shows are gradually trickling in. I had to return advances and nearly 80-90 per cent of my shows (both in India and abroad) were cancelled.

Tell us about your playback singing projects. How much do you charge?

Well... certainly not less than Rs 2 lakh per song but if the music director is friendly then money is not the issue. I am singing for a Mukta Arts film called Shaadi Se Pehle whose music director is Himesh Reshammiya.

There are a few more films in the pipeline and yes, I will be concentrating on playback singing, and most importantly, my music company DM Music.

What's happening with DM Music? Wasn't it started to promote your albums and your brother's albums?

No, it was never meant to be that way. No music company wanted to touch me after all the controversies surrounding me, so I had no choice but to launch my album with DM Music.

Thankfully, my brother is now with Tips Music and my forthcoming albums (including a Sufi album) will also be released by a big music company.

Is it good-bye to DM Music for Daler Mehndi then?

No, I've invested crores in this music company and I will concentrate on releasing spiritual music. I will invest nearly Rs 50 lakh and, by the end of 2006, I am hopeful that we will be able to release at least 10-15 albums if not more.

These albums will include Sufi music, bhajans and of course, gurbani as well. Basically, songs that will be able to connect us with god. I will be singing for a few albums, but we are hoping to get some of the lesser known but extremely talented artistes.