Singer Shahid Mallya who is releasing his latest single, Tu hi mera rab later this month was in Goa recently and TGLife caught up with him for a brief chat
BHARATI PAWASKAR
Renowned singer from Bollywood Shahid Mallya always had his focus on singing, come what may. A versatile singer, who loves classical music, he has sung from devotional bhajan and kirtans to different songs in multiple languages. He is excited that his lastest song Tu hi mera rab is going to be released very soon as Shahid has great expectations from this song.
“The song is going to release in the first week of September. Talking about expectations I would say it is one of my dream projects and I hope Tu hi mera rab receives tremendous love from the audience,” he said. The singer who will be facing camera for the first time along with Sanaa Shaikh shared his journey from being a small-town boy singing Kirtans at Gurudwaras to enter and establish himself in the glamorous world of Bollywood.
The down-to-earth artist scored his first hit with Pritam-composed Rabba main toh mar gaya from Mausam (2011). He struck gold with Ikk kudi (Udta Punjab). He sang two other very different songs in the film, the folksy Hass Nach Le and hypnotic Chitta Ve which attested to his versatility. Wasn’t that a tough assignment? He asserts, “I am inspired by Bollywood music which has the essence of classical music, light music or semi-classical music. I feel versatility is essential for Bollywood music. It was a complicated task and I am glad I lived up to the expectations of the music director/composer and happy people loved both the songs!”
In the eight years since his Bollywood debut, Shahid has sung for leading composers. He was recently heard in the peppy wedding song Bibi from Gone Kesh. He also provided vocals for a song in Robbie Grewal’s Romeo Akbar Walter, titled Bulleya Nachda from Phantom, Dhoom Dhadakka from Namaste England, Kukkad from Student of The Year, Toh dishoom from Dishoom, Iski uski from 2 States, Radha from Jab Harry Met Sejal, Saaiyaan from Gunday, Tauba main vyah karke from Shaadi Ke Side Effects and many more.
Shahid bagged the prestigious award for his song Daryaa from News18 REEL in the Best Playback Singer (Male) category for the film for the 2019 film Manmarziyaan. “Receiving award is being acknowledged for your work and who doesn’t like being acknowledged for their work?” he asks, adding, “I am overwhelmed and grateful for the immense love and support people have showered on me and I hope they keep supporting and showering more and more of love.”
He has been often heart agreeing that words bind music with a song in one’s head and that the music alone opens up one’s vision. “Music is extremely powerful,” he claims and further explains, “How painter creates his art on canvas similarly musicians create music on feelings by feeling it. It’s vital to get connected, feel the words and music only then you can touch peoples’ hearts.”
“Till date or until now I have sung for most of Bollywood biggies like, Pritam Da, Vishal-Shekhar, Amrit Trivedi and many more. I am a trained classical singer. I just love Indian classical music. My love for Indian classical music has got me into learning how to play the Sitar.”
Asked if nepotism still haunts this industry or was his experience different, Shahid smiles and replies, “I believe hard work, smart work, talent and dedication haunts this and be any other industry. I have always had my focus on singing!”
