It doesn’t getter better than dancing the night away to Bhangra music under the stars with sand under your feet -- or so claims Bollywood hit singer Mika Singh, who performs on Thursday with rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh (who did not respond to requests for interview) at Nasimi Beach, Atlantis The Palm. tabloid! caught up with Singh, discovering that the man behind hits such as Pungi (Agent Vinod) and Subah Hona De (Desi Boyz), can never turn down a request from Shah Rukh Khan or music composer Pritam. In an email interview peppered with “LOLs” and capital letters, Singh lets us in on the details ...
Q: What can we expect from your concert in Dubai this tonight?
A: This is my sixth show in Dubai in four months so that clearly proves that my fans here love me. Most artists come ever two years but that’s not my case. The best part about performing here is to see all communities and nationalities gathering together to enjoy a night of music. Plus, it’s always a pleasure to perform with Honey, who’s like my younger brother.
Q: Tell us five things we should know about Mika Singh?
A: I love animals, I love cooking, I have my own NGO for girls who are given free education, my fans are my biggest strength and I am a bad boy with a good heart.
Q: You became a household name after your infamous fall-out with Rakhi Sawant. Have you both sorted out your differences and what have you learnt from that episode?
A: In India, there are five people who can stir controversy: 1. Big B, 2. SRK, 3. Aamir Khan, 4. Salman Khan and finally Mika Singh.
Q: How would you rate your journey in Bollywood and do actors come up to you when songs sung by you but enacted by them become a rage?
A: Music is a passion and what we do is a job. It ultimately boils down to team-work and we derive our immense hapiness from it.
Q: Who’s one actor/director that you can never say no to in Bollywood?
A: I can never turn down director Sanjay Gupta, actor Shah Rukh Khan and music composer Pritam.
Q: Who’s your biggest idol and why?
A: Daler Mehendi and the late Michael Jackson. There isn’t anyone like them in this world.
Q: Punjabi rap/Bhangra has become synonymous with desi beats. Did you expect it to be such a phenomenon?
Jazzy B and me started that craze because we wanted Punjabi music to be big. We mixed hip-hop, rap and dance into our compositions so that it can be enjoyed by the masses. Now every Indian in the world understands and enjoys our music.
Q: Out of your rich catalogue of hits, which is your favourite composition and why?
A: Saavan Mein Laag Gayi Aag is my favourite. It’s my own composition.
Q: Which songs are perfect for the following: 1) for impressing your date 2) drive along song 3) celebrating an event 4) your funeral 5) perfect dance-along song.
A: Teinu Mein Love Karda is perfect for impressing your date, Long Drive Pe Chal and Jithe Java Gaye Gaddi Mora Gaye is a good drive-along song, Pungi is perfect for celebrations and for that perfect dance song tune into Jugni from Tanu Weds Manu. Regarding a song for the funeral, I can’t decide.
