Picture: Sanjib Mukherjee

If you can’t get the song Badtameez Dil from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani out of your head, blame this man. He has an incorrigible habit of delivering chartbusters. Benny Dayal, the voice behind the likes of Pappu Can’t Dance, Lat Lag Gayi and Daaru Desi, chit-chats with t2 about music and a lot more.

You spent quite a number of years of your childhood in Gulf. How did you keep yourself abreast of Indian music? There are so many Indians in the Gulf and there is a lot of access to Indian music. I don’t come from a family with any musical background though I took music lessons there. As a kid, I don’t remember what I was listening to, but A.R. Rahman was certainly the greatest influence. I was in Class II when Roja released and I was so taken by his music. I became a fan boy. A diploma in journalism, a small stint at a BPO — did you realise your calling a wee bit late in life? I knew my calling, but nothing was materialising. I wanted to bring some sort of order in my life. So, I tried different things and in the meanwhile kept searching for the right opportunity. You got your break through a reality show that saw you become a member of rock band S5. It was my first musical venture. It was not a ‘big’ break. It was a ‘beautiful’ break as I learnt the values of music industry, the art of recording and performing and I thank Pravin Mani, the composer, for that. Though S5 has not worked on anything lately, it certainly gave me my first musical platform. You gave your first hit with A.R. Rahman who chose you to croon Pappu Can’t Dance Saala that went on to become a party anthem. I owe him a lot. It is so hard to get an entry into the industry and even harder to get a chance to work with him. I consider myself blessed in that sense. Of course, he gave me a lot of beautiful songs but having said that I also owe a lot to other composers who decided to work with me. They all helped me grow as a musician. Talking about reality shows, very few people like yourself and the likes of Sunidhi Chauhan, Shreya Ghoshal, Kunal Ganjawala made the cut but we find it hard to recall the names of the winners of music reality shows, these days. When Sunidhi was on Meri Aawaz Suno or the Tamil show that created S5, they were not mere reality shows. They were looking for real talents they could record an album with. After Abhijeet Sawant, I don’t remember who won the other editions of Indian Idol. I don’t know what is wrong with the format or the singers. I believe that if the individual is talented enough, he will get success. I am also growing as an artiste every day. I considered my life as a miracle as I have made it this far with little knowledge. But there was also a lot of hard work and passion involved. Working with an open mind is another key to success. You have always championed the cause to freedom of speech even when the lyrics of songs are considered a bit demeaning. Don’t you think lyrics that portray someone in poor light can be avoided? When there is a ban or a barrier put up in front of an art form, be it writing, singing, performing, dancing etc, it is doomed. I will always be against that. I have worked with Indian-American musician Karsh Kale who always says that every song is meant to be interpreted.

The lyrics or songs that are lambasted have worked brilliantly. The people who criticise them need to understand that it is part of entertainment. Sometimes, entertainment can be enlightening or educative but sometimes, entertainment is simply meant to be entertainment. The songs are written for a particular character in the movie. It does not send out any message to society. These are played everywhere from parties to gyms. What lies ahead? I have been working with Tamil music industry and Bollywood simultaneously. I recently recorded my first Bengali and Marathi song. Being a Malayali, I easily pick up any language.

Rapid Fire

Music means: Everything

Favourite getaways: London and South Africa

How do you unwind?: By sleeping

Fame, money or critical acclaim? : A combination of all three

Journey so far: It’s been rising. I am happy about that.

Tamil film industry or Bollywood: Both, but I will never let go off my roots.

Favourite genre of music: I am more into experimental styles.

Favourite composers: AR Rahman, Salim Sulaiman and Amit Trivedi

Favourite playback singer: Kishore Kumar

Own favourite song: Kaise Mujhe (Ghajni) and Tarkeebein (Band, Baaja, Baaraat)

Pratyush Patra