| "Reality
talent shows should shun controversy" |
|
She's
a singer, has composed her own music and has also acted in films.
Better known
for numbers like 'Sajna Aa Bhi Jaa' from 'Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II' and 'Zinda
Hoon Main' from 'Zinda', Shibani is now poised to cut her own album with T Series.
In an interview with indiantelevision.com consulting editor B B Nagpal,
Shibani Kashyap who was in Delhi to select a Captain on the 'Board of Kid Directors'
for Hungama TV, described as unfortunate the controversy over the selection of
Prashant Tamang in Indian Idol, caused by a remark by the radio jockey of an FM
channel.
Excerpts:
You have come
a long way since you began your career with a jingle on All India Radio. You have
performed, sung songs, composed music, acted, and are now judging Sahara's 'Bathroom
Singer'. What do you think of the controversy over the selection of Prashant Tamang
as the new Indian Idol?
I
do not think there is any controversy over his selection, it's just a reaction
to some comment on a radio channel. It is for television channels to ensure this
does not happen.
Do
you feel there is any element of favouritism by judges of such talent hunts?
No, since the singers
are chosen by votes sent in by the people.
But
isn't there an element of manipulation, with judges emphasizing the sympathy element
for some contestants by invoking sympathy for their poor backgrounds or regional
fidelity?
Perhaps,
but very little. The judges are there to give their views, and it is for the people
not to be swayed by them.
| But
what do you feel about reality talent hunts, now that you are yourself a judge
on 'Bathroom Singer' along with Ravi Kissen. Do they really help the winners,
particularly since many have already been forgotten?
No, that is not true.
Those who came through Indian Idol or other shows are recording albums or doing
playback. In 'Bathroom Singer', we have not made any promises about turning the
winners into singers by offering contracts. The channel is simply giving prize
money of Rs 2.5 million.
| | |
What
are you into now? Any new albums on the way?
Yes,
I have a new album coming up shortly with T-Series. There are a total of seven
songs, all - with the exception of one - have been composed by me. The sole exception
is a song I have sung with Bappi Lahiri as a tribute to Bappi-da who is the king
of rock-n-roll. The songs are all romantic, but we have not yet decided on a name
for the album.
What
about playback singing?
I
sang not very long ago for the Sagars' 1971. You will see me in 'Sunday', starring
Ajay Devgun and Ayesha Takia and I have sung a song picturised on Esha Deol. Then
there is 'Woodstock Villa', from the English film 'The Great Indian Butterfly'
it's a Hindi-English song. I have also acted in 'Osama', apart from composing
music and singing in it. Then there are films like Sirf, Love.com and Dus Kahaniyaan,
which will be released soon.
Do you
think that making music videos of albums help in the sales?
They
help to create awareness about the albums. And with so many music channels, it
helps. Sometimes albums are also made with songs that are never there in a film,
but are aimed at promoting it.
What
is your favourite song from your own repertoire?
Well,
that is difficult to say, because every song is like a baby one brings up. But
I still remember Sajnaa Aa Bhi Jaa with fondness.
What
kind of music do you enjoy the most?
I
think the music of R D Burman is amazing. And I love listening to old songs. O
P Nayyar's music has magic.
What
do you give greatest importance to when singing or composing?
Well, I give a lot
of importance to melody, particularly when there is more loud music than lyrics
in the songs of today. | 
