“We are going to have a blast, believe you me,” Bollywood singer KK told tabloid! ahead of his Salaam Dubai show with “buddy” Shaan, on January 15 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
“I’m performing with one of my favourite singers. [Shaan and I] started our careers almost the same time and have sung a lot of songs together. We’ve had a lot of fun preparing for the show. I always remember the first show I had in Dubai where we were all newcomers. The audience here always come to enjoy themselves. They know what they want, what they want to hear”.
Born Krishnakumar Kunnath, KK rose to fame with Tadap Tadap from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 1999 film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, a song for which he received several award nominations. The singer is known for his rendition of both romantic songs such as Tu Jo Mila (Bajrangi Bhaijaan), Zara Sa (Jannat), Awaarapan Banjaarapan (Jism), Khuda Jaane (Bachna Ae Haseeno), Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai (Gangster), Aankhon Mein Teri (Om Shanti Om), and peppy ones such as Indiawaale (Happy New Year) and Tune Maari Entriyaan (Gunday) — a “mixed bag” he says he’s enjoyed performing in the last 20 years of his musical career.
“On stage, performing these tapori [rowdy] numbers gives me the ability — rather the liberty — to do what I want and have fun as well, just as much as a melancholic and meaningful Abhi Abhi or Tu Jo Mila [would give me]. Item numbers hold more visual than audio appeal for the audience and sometimes some transcend that border to become popular, even just as an audio treat. A rhythm is a basic attraction for human beings so music will not go out of fashion even if it’s a peppy tune with nonsensical words. And I’ve known people to pick up the dance steps associated with them. I can’t do those and when someone tells me ‘it’s not like that but this,’ I say, ‘OK you dance and I’ll stick to singing’,” says KK, laughing.
“Seriously, I’ve never been able to fathom a hit, ever, right from Tadap, Tadap to Tu Bhoola Jise from Airlift, which is doing very well. Yes, you feel it, you enjoy your song and that’s it,” he says, explaining how melody has seemingly taken over lyrics in popularity. “The difference lies in the treatment or the production of songs. There are a lot more electronics [today] in connection with music. Item numbers are happening now because they connect to the masses — sometimes they are the starting point of a film. But they are like the flavour of the week or the month. A good song with a good melody and lyrics will always connect with the listener even after a long time”.
Despite starting out as a marketing professional, KK has never believed in promoting himself as a singer.
“I’ve never been a marketing guy,” he says. “If you were to speak to any of my colleagues from then, they’d probably tell you I sucked. I was the worst guy in the profession. I couldn’t sell anything in the three months I was in the job. Thankfully I had it just to [show] my in-laws and to get married. It was a con job — because I conned my way into the job by saying ‘I can do blah’. But I didn’t do anything. I sold one gadget by emotionally blackmailing a friend. All that those three months did was to strengthen my belief and propel me towards where my talent really lay.
“But there are two sides of the story here for me. I complete 20 years this year in the industry and I’ve done that without any [publicity] whatsoever, believe me.
“However, in the last one year, I’ll be honest, I have started getting into social media. I do have a Twitter account and am on Facebook once in a while. I feel social media is a good platform for an artist of any status — new, old or international — to interact with people who like his music. Maybe sometimes we do listen to a lot of [expletive] too, which is fine because you always do something which 100 people will like and maybe 50 won’t, or the other way around.
“I realised that maybe I’ve been too cut off from a people who have loved my songs, who are my real fans. When you look at people who listen to your work and who want to communicate with you for whatever reasons — you may have made them happy or they listen to your songs and feel motivated — it’s just feedback you get, and you feel good about that. But you can’t at the same time let it govern your life because this is only momentary. The real thing still is me. The real thing is still what I do. And honestly speaking what I sing has nothing to do with how I live or my personal life. Yet, this is an intrinsic part of any artist’s life now and it has taken me many years to understand that.”
He’s held a similar philosophy where awards are concerned.
“The other day I was at Shaan’s place to rehearse and I felt good looking at all the awards he’s won, because he’s a friend and I feel proud of the fact that he has got so many.
“Frankly speaking I don’t really understand my own perception sometimes, you know. Personally, I’ve never wanted any,” he says, laughing.
“Yes, I’ve always believed that and sometimes I seriously wonder where all this stems from. I always believe that if I sing a song and you’ve heard and liked it, then I’ve made my connection as a singer. End of story. I have actually prayed to let it be... I don’t want to take an award for my songs. Maybe, I felt it would take away the essence of the song, I don’t know. I know why the awards are important but I would feel responsible and burdened if I have to bring one home. All I’ve wanted is good songs and they’ve come to me in plenty.”
Don’t miss it!
Salaam Dubai will be held at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on Friday, January 15, at 9pm. Tickets are Dh100 (silver), Dh300 (platinum), Dh500 (VIP) and Dh1,000 (VVIP). Call Oberoi Middle East on 055-6360333.
