Sukhwinder Singh: God has cancelled my membership in the competition club

Singer Sukhwinder Singh says that those whose music is entertaining, cannot boast about their music, or be in any sort of competition.

Sukhwinder Singh is a seasoned artist, in his 27th year as a playback singer in the film industry. In times when there’s cut-throat competition, and newer names are ruling the music charts, he maintains that he isn’t bothered about competition at all.

Sukhwinder Singh has sung the songs Chhaiya Chhaiya, Dard e Disco, and Jai Ho, among others.

“I’m not a member of that club. There is a club for competition, right? God has cancelled my membership [for that],” laughs the artist, who has given Bollywood some big hits such as Chhaiya Chhaiya (Dil Se, 1998), Mitwa and Ghannan Ghannan (Lagaan, 2001), Woh Kisna Hai (Kisna: The Warrior Poet, 2005), Dard e Disco (Om Shanti Om, 2007), and Jai Ho (Slumdog Millionaire, 2008).

Sukhwinder adds, “Music is known by two things: spirituality and entertainment. My priority is entertainment. But, if there is any sort of spiritual touch in my songs, it makes [the song] extremely enjoyable. That is why, those whose music is entertaining, cannot boast about their music, or be in any sort of competition.”

Talking about his projects that fans can look forward to, the 46-year-old singer shares that he’s collaborating with filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj for the music of a film, to be directed by Abhishek Chaubey, who has earlier helmed Udta Punjab (2016), Dedh Ishqiya (2014), and Ishqiya (2010).

“Vishal Bhardwaj doesn’t do music for films other than his own, but made an exception for Abhishek,” says Sukhwinder. He has earlier worked with Bhardwaj on the latter’s film Omkara (2006).

“I’ve sung a foot-tapping song on the lines of Beedi Jalaile (from Omkara) for this new film. It’s the first duet performed by me and [Vishal’s wife] Rekha Bhardwaj. The biggest thing [here] is Gulzar saab — his words, the orchestra... it’s a great combination,” adds the singer.

Apart from doing playback, Sukhwinder, like many other artists, plans to launch his independent music. “After a very long gap, I’m coming out with three [independent] albums. The one to be released in February is called Single, for now. All three are dance numbers. There is some club dance, too,” he says.

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