You have earned the reputation of being a singer best suited for mellow romantic songs. Does it bother you?

I am soft-spoken by nature. Maybe that is why I have this reputation. But then, I have also sung songs like Tinku Jiya and Nagada Nagada that are very energetic and peppy. However, somehow people have loved my soft numbers more. I love all type of songs. I ask directors to let me sing across genres. I don’t want to get tied to or identified with one genre. I am very versatile.

Born as Javed Hussain, you have come a long way since your Delhi days…

Indeed. As a child, songs of Ghulam Ali mesmerised me. I wanted to be like him but because I couldn’t, I adopted his name. Also, the word “Ali” has such immense power that you always feel blessed. Ghulam sahab used to come often to Delhi, a place I grew up in. I wanted to be his disciple and my father, who was also a singer, wanted him to take me under his wings. Ghulam sahab was kind enough to guide me. Then as time passed, I learnt many new things. Initially, I wanted to do only stage shows. Later, in Mumbai, my interest in playback singing grew. Playback gives you the opportunity to croon songs ranging from bhajans to item numbers. Kalyanji (of Kalyanji-Anandji pair) also played a pivotal role in my life.

Though you got your first Bollywood break in 2000, it was Kajra Re (Bunty Aur Babli, 2005) that catapulted you to new heights of popularity.

Yes, after my break, people in the industry started discussing my work. Though I sang many songs after that, none turned out to be as big a chartbuster. For Bunty Aur Babli, Shankar Mahadevan had asked to me to sing for Amitabh Bachchan. I was baffled as I never thought my voice would suit his personality but I did not want to lose the opportunity. I kept Kishoreda’s (Kumar) voice texture in mind and sang the song in that baritone. The song became very popular and Allah has been very kind for what followed after that.

A solo hit finally came in the form of Ek Din Teri Raahon (Naqaab) in 2007. What took you so long?

If wishes turned true just by the wave of a magic wand, I would have been the king of the universe right now. But it was Allah’s wish. He decides a time for everyone. I cannot get everything right now. There is a right time when He will shower His mercy upon us. It’s all written. See how films like Jodhaa Akbar, Delhi-6, Rockstar, Jab Tak Hai Jaan and others fell in my kitty one after the other.

You have sung in many regional languages, including Odia. How are you able to do justice to the songs without knowing the language?

I give my 100 per cent to every song. I don’t understand a single word of south Indian languages but with time, you get used to it. The composition tells you everything about the song. Also, composers explain you the feel and meaning of the lyrics. Then there are language supervisors who assist us. I had a perception that even Odia and Bengali are very similar but I learnt the nuances are quite different.

Are you choosy about songs?

Not at all. I grab everything with both hands. I recently did the Tayyab Ali song in Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai Dobara. Pritam asked me not to kill the essence of the original song so it was very challenging. I dubbed five times for it.

How has your association been with Odia composer Goodly Rath?

He is a great composer. I have sung around five songs for him. His work is at par with national-level composers. I like his arrangements. I share a great rapport with him. He calls me and meets me every time I visit Odisha.

Do you visit Odisha frequently?

I keep visiting Odisha every now and then but this particular visit has come after almost two-and-a-half years. I heard that listeners in Bhubaneswar were eagerly waiting for my performance. Many Odia music composers keep asking me to visit the Temple City. I feel great to be here.

What lies ahead?

I am a man who loves to live in the present without fretting about future. I am part of an album called Red Ribbon which features greats like Sonu Niigaam and Hariharan. I think we need to get the trend of albums back. Also, I am planning a solo and want to surprise everyone.