‘My work was ahead of its time’

Anu Mallik, bags five big films after the success of Tinku jiya…, says he started the trend of English words in Hindi songs.

The use of words like ‘sexy’ in songs such as Shiela ki jawani… made headlines recently. But according to singer-composer Anu Mallik, he first used it in the film Khuddar for the controversial Karisma Kapoor item number Sexy sexy sexy mujhe log bole… way back in 1994.

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“I did that stuff 15 years ago. Now, when people talk about every song having English words, I get amused… I started that trend,” says Mallik, who is currently basking in the success of his number Tinku jiya… from Yamla Pagla Deewana. “At that time, my name was mentioned in the Time magazine, and I believe, news of that song was even discussed in the parliament. I think a lot of my work was ahead of its time.”

Referring to item numbers like Chamma chamma…from China Gate (1998) and Kali kali aankhen…from Baazigar (1993), which Mallik created over 10 years ago, he says that he finished doing what is in ‘trend’ right now a long time ago. “Once I’ve recorded something, I don’t want to repeat that again and again,” he says.

Though back in the days he used to work on more than 25 films in a year, his new policy does not allow him to accommodate more than five films annually. “The feeling that people are waiting for my kind of music is a good one. Competition is also tough these days with musicians 12 to 13 years younger than me being around,” he says.

“Now people want music ‘Anu Mallik style’. The kind of item numbers that are popular today were passé a few years ago. But now, they’re ‘cool’. I always told people, this is commercial music and this is what Bollywood is all about,” he adds.