Kumar Sanu, one of the most celebrated playback singers in the Hindi film industry, recently opened up about the music mafia and the pressure he faced from them. Despite this, he said that he never bowed down to it. “Jo darr gaya, woh marr gaya,” remarked Sanu as he spoke about staying true to his usool (values) of not singing vulgar songs. While he admitted that one or two songs had questionable lyrics, he clarified that he mostly steered clear of such tracks. His rule against vulgarity is still something he abides by, the Tujhe Dekha To singer said.
Kumar Sanu On Vulgar Songs In 90s
In an exclusive interview with Zoom, was asked about some of the rather questionable songs from the 90s. He said, “Woh toh hota hi hai. Acche se bure leke, sab kuch hota hai (That is bound to happen. You get everything, from good to bad).”
He added, “Ek mera usool tha ki main vulgarity nahi laaunga. Lekin kya hai ki main kabhi ek-aadh jagah fail hua is cheez mein, kyunki mere upar pressure aisa tha ki nahi gaaunga toh chalega nahi. Toh ek-do gaane mere hain. Ek gaana ya do gaana – Raj gaya tabla tabele mein… – mein is tarah ke gaane hain. Baaki main ekdum vulgar, jisko boltein hai, usko main avoid kiya hoon, aaj bhi karta hoon. Aaj tak usmein tika hua hoon. Toh usmein ek cheez hoti hai ki pata nahi mera nuksaan toh bahut hua lekin I don’t mind.”
(Translation: I had one principle: I would not bring vulgarity into my work. But there were one or two instances where I failed to stick to it because the pressure on me was such that I felt things wouldn’t work if I didn’t sing them. So, there are one or two songs of mine, like Tabla Tabele Mein, that fall into that category. But otherwise, I have always avoided vulgar songs, and I still do. I have stuck to that principle till date. I may have suffered a lot because of it, but I don’t mind.)
Kumar Sanu
Kumar Sanu Talks About Music Mafia
When asked if he had faced pressure from the music mafia, confirmed that he had. He explained that consistently delivering hits helped him establish a strong position in the industry. As people began listening to him and he gained more influence, he was able to stand firmly by his choices and principles, which he continued to do.
“Darna toh sawaal hi nahi hai. Hum darna toh sawaal hi nahi hai. Agar dar jaayenge toh gaya. Jo dar gaya, woh mar gaya (There was never any question of being afraid. If you become afraid, it’s over. The one who is afraid is as good as defeated),” added the legendary singer.
Kumar Sanu is known for his iconic 90s romantic tracks, including Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha, Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain, Tum Mile Dil Khile and Aankh Hai Bhari Bhari.