B is lucky for singer Sonu Kakkar – snippet

Blue, Babuji, Bareily ki Bazaar mein… B seems to be always positive for you.
Yes actually three of my biggest hits start with B. I have never noticed it! Bakhauf Nihain from Blue and Bareily Ke Bazaar mein from Jail did pretty well last year. Babuji Zara Dheere Chalo has become one of the biggest item songs. It is still played everywhere. Whoever has heard that song has complemented me for balancing an item song with oomph and proper nuances at the same time.

What do you feel when people sing your songs in talent shows?
I feel really good. It’s always exciting to see someone trying my songs and what they add to it.

So do you get variations in the song when you perform on stage?
Variations are required when you perform on stage. For example I had sun Babuju six years back. So today when I perform it is good to have some variations in it and audience also reacts better. Like I performed at the New Years eve in Kolkata and it was fantastic.

Sandeep Chowta gave you the break and you have also sung for AR Rahman. How different has it been working with both of them?
They have their own ways of working. And also they are very different people. My respect for Sandeep Chowta will always be there as he discovered me and gave me my first break. And about AR Rahman I think it is incredible that someone who has achieved so much in life is yet so humble. I have sung for him in a Tamil movie called Godfather too. Only when you work with him will you understand what a great person he is. Everyone should be inspired by him – as a person and as a musician.

You have no really sung romantic songs.
I know. I would love to sing all kind of songs.My new song aa gale lag ja is from Mittal vs Mittal is a romantic song with Kailash Kher.I have not worked with so many great music directors like Shankar-Ehasaan-Loy, Pritam and Salim Suleiman. I am waiting for them to choose me!

So do you also work on your music at nights?
I don’t have any particular time for practicing music. I practice whenever I am at peace. At a minimum I invest at two hours in practice daily. If we don’t do that than we will never be able to sing when grow older. I am a self taught singer and I have learnt by listening to others sing. I listen to singers like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Bade Ghulam Ali, Noorjahan an Mehedi Hassan.

You are very inspired by Sufi.
Yes I am. I feel that Sufi connects me to god. I feel very relaxed while singing sufi.

You were first seen in a reality show Channel V Pop stars. And it was the first of its kind. However today there is a barrage of such shows. How do you look at all these shows?
When I had participated it was a very new concept and hence it was very exciting. Today there is hardly any excitement around these shows. However I support these shows because I think these shows are a good way to bring out all the talent we have in this country. You don’t need to win the show but just perform to the best of your ability. I didn’t win but I made it to my goal of being a playback singer. I was very focused right since I was a child. I used to sing Bhajan since I was four years old. When I got to know about the competition and that Sandeep Chowta will be a judge. My objective of joing the show was to reach my voice to him rather than going to Mumbai and struggle. I did that and though I didn’t win he liked my voice and promised me that he would be offering me a song which he did in Dum.

How do you look kids being a part of such shows and the pressure that is built on them?
I think children should not be allowed to participate in such competition and they should have a minimum age bar of 16 years. Every contestant should be capable of controlling their emotions and also be confident of their own talent. Also the judges should not be too harsh on the participant.

So would be a part of any singing reality show again?
Not as a participant! I would love to be part of one as a judge though.

So when do we see your next album?
I am working on something big. I shall inform everyone is time. We should be releasing it in March. I am also planning an album with my brother Tony and my sister Neha. Tony writes lyrics, composer and arranged music and also sings!