I respect women...my writings praise them: Palash Sen

Singer Palash Sen defends his allegedly sexist comments; explains why his band does few open-to-all concerts and fewer Bollywood projects, writes Soumya Vajpayee.

Euphoria’s Palash Sen has been slammed on social media for reportedly making sexist statements at a concert held at IIT-Bombay’s (IIT-B) Mood Indigo. The singer had apparently said that if there aren’t enough beautiful girls on campus, IIT boys will find better-looking girls outside who’ll make rotis for them. Ever since the comments went viral, Sen has been busy giving explanations. He opens up about it and more.

Singer-Palash-Sen

Your reportedly made certain comments that went viral, and for which you got slammed. How do you look back at the lash out?
I’d made generic comments. I respect women and all my writings praise them. My statements were in jest. I am a rocker and my job is to entertain. I cannot talk about politics or spirituality... The administration of IIT-B has blacklisted Euphoria. I was not hurt because of the blog (by an IIT-B student); I was hurt because I was misquoted.

Are you bitter about social networking sites now?
Everyone in this country has become a writer because of Facebook and Twitter. Likhna aata ho ya na ho (whether they know how to write or not). There have been statements like ‘Dr Sen is dead’. The way my mother and wife were targeted was awful.

Why has Euphoria become a band that largely performs at campus fests?
We do perform at open venues as well, but getting licences in big cities is a problem; concerts in closed venues are easier.

What are your upcoming projects?
We will be releasing a new song called ‘Walk on’ on January 26. It discourages the use of vehicles. We have also composed music for a movie called Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi, which releases in February.

People say that Euphoria’s sound has changed.
We sound a lot younger now, and want to make different kinds of music.

Do you get offered less Bollywood projects these days?
I get offers, but I don’t accept them. In Bollywood, you need to make music that promotes the film. You don’t get to do the sort of work you want to.

Do you still practise medicine?
I have a clinic in the basement of my house. But now my ‘patients’ come to see recordings.