Daler wears a turban, has a beautiful black beard and a sugar-daddy smile but jigs the place up like crazy and loves to play the rapper-guy when he's in front of the camera. But Daler is not just another famous excentric guy, he's also a fervent ecologist activist who has financed (among other things) a huge reforestation project in India (the "Green Drive") with the money he made out of his music. In fact in a way he corresponds to the classic idea we westerners have of Indians : he's a peaceful guy who just wants to sing and promote peace and love
INTERVIEW: DALER Mehndi
By ARJUN MEHRA
FOR four years, he’s been recognized as the biggest star of Indipop. With albums like Bolo Ta Ra Ra, Dardi Rab Rab and Ho Jaayegi Balle Balle, Daler Mehndi ensured that bhangra-pop became a household word. His fourth album Tunak Tunak Tun didn’t do as well as expected, but it made headlines because the singer signed a whopping Rs. 2.5 crore contract with Magnasound.
Now, Daler is back in the news. Two weeks ago, he signed an agreement with Tips Industries, after his contract with Magnasound expired. Though there was talk that he had approached T-Series and Sony Music earlier, nothing worked out.
What’s interesting is that when everybody expected him to sign a mega-deal, he went in for a one-album agreement based on royalty payments. And though the Indian music industry thinks it is a step downwards, Daler is happy with the modalities of the pact.
In an interview, the pasha of Punjabi pop talks about his plans and his music.
After approaching other companies like T-Series and Sony, why did you settle for Tips?
I never approached any companies. Many companies came to me because it would be beneficial for me to sign them. However, they all wanted me to do two or three albums with them. I decided that if I signed an agreement with any company, it would be for one album only. Tips agreed with that, and that’s why I am with them. The contract expires on January 1, 2001.
What made you sign a royalty agreement, after signing such a huge deal with Magnasound before?
I was happy with the way the agreement shaped up. That’s all.
You said in a recent interview that Magnasound was only boasting of a Rs. 2.5 crore agreement, and that that actual deal was much lower.
I have said whatever I wanted to say. I don’t want to comment on the subject any more.
When will you release the album, and are you sticking to the same kinds of songs that you’ve done in the past?
The recording should begin any moment, and the album should be released in May. We are still working on the songs. So it is early to comment on how they will shape up.
What’s made you so popular?
It’s God’s grace. When I recorded Bolo Ta Ra Ra in 1995, I was confident that audiences like my peppy and earthy kind of music. The album was a major hit, and so were the successive albums. What was more, people became hysterical at my shows. Even today, there is hysteria every time I perform.
What message do you want to convey through your music?
I want them to enjoy. When I see people dancing at my concerts, I feel happy. At live shows, I sing medleys, where I sing popular film songs, besides my own numbers. Everybody enjoys them.
So many bhangra-pop singers have come on the scene. Don’t you feel threatened?
Let’s see how many of them continue creating hits for four or five years. Different forms of music become popular at different times. Now, it’s bhangra-pop’s turn to be popular.
You’ve also done film songs regularly. Are you planning any new film ventures?
For the next few months, I won’t be doing any new film songs. My entire energy will be spent on my new album. I want it to be my biggest album.
this interview comes from the great site Smashhits, go check it out ! www.smashhits.com
If you want to know more about Daler Mehndi, check out his site : www.daler.com
