'The recognition I got from K for Kishore, I didn't get from my playback singing' - Arnab Chakraborty

After a fierce battle, Arnab emerged the winner of K for Kishore. This established playback singer has sung hit songs like Vaada raha pyar se pyar ka filmed on Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai for the movie Khaki, but he admits that K for Kishore gave him the true recognition. A hot favourite of the judges, he has been consistently delivering brilliant performances. In the end, his power-packed rendition gave him an edge over the other contestants. We spoke to him about his passion for music and future plans.

How does it feel after winning the show?

I don't have words to describe the wonderful feeling that I have in my heart right now. Getting an award that is associated with the legendary singer like Kishore Kumar is simply amazing. The icing on the cake was when Ashaji gave me the trophy.

You're an established playback singer. What made you decide to take part in this show?

When I got this opportunity from Sony, it felt it was a great honour to be able to sing the songs of a legendary singer like Kishore Kumar. In fact, it was a challenge for me, too, because each song we sang become an anthem for the listeners. Kishoreda's songs are so very popular. I wanted to know if I had the ability to sing with as much depth and feelings. It was an acid test for me.

Also, I came to the show with the attitude that I want to learn. This was almost like a training session of live singing. The advice and tips that I got from the experts like Ashaji, Bappida, Amitji and Sudeshji will always be precious to me. In the long run it will help me a lot.

Frankly, the kind of recognition I got from this show, I didn't get it from the playback singing I've done before. When I sang the song Vaada raha pyar se pyar ka for the film Khaki, everybody said: "Wah, what a nice Akshay Kumar song. But who sang it?" No one knew that it was me. But today the world knows I am the winner of K for Kishore.

Established singers like Milind Ingle has also been a part of the contest along with unknown singers. Is this a new trend in reality shows?

See, Milind is a great singer and I have also done playback singing, but we are not bigger than Ashaji and Bappida. They're still our seniors. Before Ashaji, we all are like kids. I have come here to perfect my art and enhance my singing talent.

Milindji is a great singer, but it's luck. Sometimes even the best singers are overshadowed by other singers. We were selected for the show because we had already done professional singing. And doing justice to Kishore Kumar's songs is not an easy task.

Who was your closest competitor?

I have really enjoyed the competition with Chetan, Chintan and Nayan. Chetan, specially, has improved a lot because initially he was behind the others.

Which judge has been your favourite?

All the judges were very good to us. When we sang badly they felt bad for us. They always encouraged us to sing better. Sometimes when we sang well, they give us 9 points and insisted that we sing even better. They asked us to try and reach the Kishore Kumar's benchmark—not to try and 60% or 70% closer to him, but to reach 100%. Ashaji told us about the minute details of singing and we have worked hard keeping her instructions in mind.

Tell us about the playback singing you've done till now.

The first playback song I sang was for Shankar Ahsan Loy—the title song of the film Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hain. After that I sang the song Wada raha for Khaki. Then, I sang three songs for the film Family, including Katra katra. After that I released one music album called Naam. With God's grace I got very good response from the album. The songs were like Kishore Kumar's popular numbers. I am also doing playback for some big banners, the films will hopefully release by next year.

Many playback singers started their careers aping Kishore Kumar. Are you trying the same?

No, I don't copy Kishore Kumar. But because of the format of this show, in some songs I need to create that kind of an aura. For instance, when I did playback for Akshay Kumar, the tone was different. I had to understand Akshay's voice quality to make it sound like him.

Similarly, if I sing for Hritik, I will listen to his dialogues and then sing accordingly. When Ashaji sang for Madhubala she used a different tone, and when she sang for Zeenat Aman she sang in a different tone. But when I will do playback singing after this, I will sing just like Arnab.

Tell us about Arnab, the Kishore fan.

As a listener, I've heard a lot of singers. But what appealed to me about Kishore Kumar is his yodelling. He used to stand out with this unique ability. I used to wonder how he did it. I just want to take all the good qualities of all the great singers—Mohammad Rafi's simplicity, Kishoreda's naughtiness, the purity of Lataji and Manna Dey' classical base—and present a unique voice to the audience. They will get glimpse of all these great singers in my singing from time to time.

Any message for your fans?

I have my own philosophy of life. I would like to tell them—believe in yourself, rather than listening to other people. No one can be Kishore Kumar; all I did was sing to the best of my ability. I would ask everybody to pursue their dreams.

Tell us about your future plans.

First of all, I will go on a world tour endorsing K for Kishore. Then I will be working hard on my album with HMV Saregama. Then there are film playback assignments, jingles, endorsements and much more.

“I USED TO BE NERVOUS TO SING WITH LATA OR KISHORE DA.” - Asha Bhosle

The melody queen of India has come to K for Kishore as the mahaguru, who will choose the winner of the show. Apart from a treasury of songs, she has innumerable memories of working with the legendary singer Kishore da. In this rare interview, she looks back at the golden days of music when she worked with Kishore and R. D. Burman. As she spoke of the humble and hard working singers of yesteryear, her nostalgic tone was quite apparent. Read on to unravel some unknown incidents that happened in the music darbar of Kishore Kumar.

Tell us about your first meeting with Kishore Kumar.

It was the year1946. I was standing in Malad station, waiting for the train. I noticed a weird guy standing at the other side of the platform. He was wearing white pant and shirt, and a white long cloth around his neck. He had nice, thick hair. Then I got into the train and totally forgot about him as I headed for the recording studio. As I reached there, I saw the same guy, jumping like a monkey, doing funny actions and talking to everyone out there. Chintan Prakashji was the director who told me, “Asha this is a new guy, his name is Kishore, this studio belongs to his brother Ashok Kumar.” Since then I knew Kishore da. We sang so many duets together later. He used to make all of us laugh a lot with his jokes; he had an amazing sense of humor. We have worked together for nearly 50 years. I got so accustomed to his moods and mannerisms, that I knew him in and out.

How did you decide to be a judge in this show?

When I was called for K for Kishore, I wondered should I go or not? I was in dilemma as I felt that it will be hectic a schedule. But then I thought, this is Kishore da’s program, and his songs will be sung here. Then Bapi, Sudesh and Amit told me that they’re looking for Kishore da’s voice. I told them where will you find Kishore da’s voice? It is impossible. But then I felt that I should go, see and listen to the singers Amit and Sudesh have chosen. I am extremely strict about singing, and everybody knows it. I am here to find the best singers out of these 5 contestants. Let’s see how it goes.

Would you like to train a youngster to be a singer like you?

I would like to train a girl, but then I feel today’s kids are not ready to listen. Even before I start they’ll say that you would make us do classical riaz and they don’t want to do all that. Today the world is too fast. Everybody wants to be on TV, or stage and wants to earn fame. No one knows that to be a long-term singer one has to proceed like a tortoise, learn on the way slowly and then rise up. But today everybody is fast like a deer.

Do you think music has suffered because of fast lifestyle and race for fame and money?

I think everyone knows how music is suffering today. Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Mohammad Rafi, Hemant Kumar, Mukesh, so many great singers were there earlier. Can today’s singers even dare to stand before them? I feel that god made them with care. They’ve worked hard on their voices since childhood. They were ready to do anything to reach perfection, they learnt Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Marathi and what not. They struggled their way up. But today no one is willing to work hard; they can’t even pronounce Urdu words properly. Can you hear songs like Aayega ayega from Mahal or Aaja re from Madhumati nowadays? Not really. Today songs are more to be seen than heard. I feel that there are a lot of things missing in today’s music.

What do you have to say about today’s music directors?

I have worked with a lot of Music directors, from Nausad to R. D Burman and Bapi Laheri. The style of making music was different then. We used to stand for the entire day to record a single song, it was almost like an exam for us. I used to be nervous to sing along with Lata and Kishore da. I used to be tense thinking what if I don’t sing well? That era was different, the music was different. Those who have experienced it were lucky people, those who have never seen such a musical environment, they won’t even have a clue about what I am talking about. Few singers know today what it is to record along with musicians and orchestra today. I really miss those days. We had the freedom to innovate in the songs we sang, make our own additions in the tunes. Today there is no such freedom. Everything is ready from before hand we can sing each word separately, each singer can finish singing his or her part and leave. The fun element and teamwork is no more there. I like doing live shows today, as at least I can interact with the listeners there.

Tell us about any memorable incident with Kishore da.

Once while we were recording a song together, I told pointed out a mistake in Kishore da’s singing and requested him to sing that part again. Kishore da became very angry; he bounced back saying “You speak a lot Asha.” I answered him that this song will be heard by thousands of people, would you like it if they say you haven’t sung well? He became so furious at this that he rushed to R. D Burman and told him that Asha talks too much, I won’t sing with her again. R. D Burman came to me and asked me to keep quite. I said fine, I wouldn’t speak from now on. The next day I went to the studio and sat facing the wall, I was very upset and dejected. Kishore da was recording a song, and suddenly there was a slip-up in his tune. He immediately shouted “Cut it….cut it…” Then he looked at me and screamed “What are you doing sitting there…facing the wall…can’t you come here and tell me that I am singing a wrong tune?”…I was shocked and said “Yesterday when I pointed out a fault, you said that you will not sing with me again.” He came to me smiling and said “I am like this only, and you know me since so many years Asha.” So, this is how we used to work, and everything was fine within a few seconds.

“NO OTHER SHOW IS AS DIFFICULT, HERE EVERY NOTE YOU SING IS BEING COMPARED TO THE MASTER.” Nagesh Kukunoor, Noted filmmaker.

Nagesh Kukunoor is like a bonus point for the contestants of K for Kishore. This master filmmaker came into the show looking for the ultimate Kishore’s voice. He even announced that he will pick a voice that will playback in his upcoming film, based on the life of Kishore Kumar. According to him this show is the best platform to announce the film based on the legendary singer. We spoke to this refined man about his films, box office expectations and his views on this unique show.

What brings you to K for Kishore?

I think this is a great platform to announce my film based on the life of the legendary singer Kishore Kumar. To say that I am a fan of Kishore is an understatement. I literally worship him.

I was always willing to make a film based on Kishore Kumar’s life. About five-six years ago I even spoke about it in interviews. Finally some times back, I decided to go ahead with the project along with Percept. After that once when I was driving down the Andheri Link Road, I noticed the hoarding of K for Kishore. I frantically called everyone, asking them about the hoardings all over, how did this happen? I was not even aware that such a show is there. Anyways, it is a nice synergy to look for the voice of Kishore together along with the judges of the show. At the same time this is a great platform to announce my film as well.

You’ll surely find the voice here, but what about the face?

That is going to be an interesting search. A combination of different things. I am going to be looking at actors and non-actors and probably, I need a more full blown hunt for the face.

How prepared are you to face the Kishore fans with a film on his life?

I’ve found that with Kishore, the myth is so big and exciting that I’ll have to be careful that I get it right. I want to be very true to the character. He himself was such a colourful and lively persona that it will be a challenge for anyone to create a film on him. This time I have a bunch of people researching on the subject, I know we can’t cook up just anything, we have to be extremely careful about every aspects of the film.

It will be a musical?

Of course, it has to be. Kishore has sung so many songs in his lifetime that I am gonna have tough time satisfying his fans. In the end there will be people screaming that I’ve left out this song, and that song. I’ll have to be very careful basically.

What is your task in K for Kishore?

The winner for me is not just the right voice. I have to find the right balance, that is not just a voice that can mimic Kishore, but to bring that ability that he had as a playback singer. Playback singing is itself an interesting beast, and it is not just about singing well. So, I’ll have to find that balanced singer. My contribution here will be solely for my own selfish purposes.

What if you find that singer outside this show?

As far as the first song goes, this is a phenomenal platform. Because all the hard work that is done by Sony is something I can work on and move from there.

Is the film going to begin from Kishore’s childhood?

I will tell you that when I do an official launch of the film. Since this is a film based on the life of a real person, it is not right to announce anything before getting the actual facts in place.

When is the film going on the floor?

Next year.

What went wrong with Bombay to Bangkok?

Did something really go wrong? I made the movie exactly the way I had in mind.

But what about the box office?

Who can predict the box office? But most of my films didn’t go wrong except for Hyderabad Blues 2. I get the same clichéd questions coming up before the release of my film Is movie se aapka kya expectations hain? And my standard answer is always that I hope to hell it works. Also, the second comment is that who the hell can predict the box office? Making a movie the way I want to is all I can control.

You’ve managed to connect with the audience earlier, so where did the disconnect happen?

Your guess is as good as mine. After a film is released by the time you do your analysis, it is all too late. You can’t learn a lesson here and use it in the next one, as your next film is as unpredictable as the earlier one. You can’t say that “Oh I’ve learnt my lesson; from now on I won’t do this.” Frankly, there is no lesson to be learnt.

If a movie works, you’ll have hundred different reasons why it worked, and if it didn’t then you’ll have the same count for its failure. We should just gracefully move to the next film. The fact remains that I had a great filmmaking experience with the Bombay to Bangkok. It was the most enjoyable shoot of my life.

What do you think about the talents in this show – K for Kishore?

They’re excellent. We have to remember that there was only one Kishore Kumar, and let’s not fool ourselves by looking for him out here. Our effort is towards finding someone who comes close to him. I even spoke about this in the show that these contestants are singing phenomenally well. But at the back of our mind, we have the original song playing. We are always comparing their voice to the original and this is quite unfair. The bar is so high, anything they sing; we won’t find it half as good as the original. I believe there is no other show like this, where every note you sing is being compared to the master. So, this is just about finding the next good voice, or the next good performer. These contestants are in a really tough spot.