Easy Listening

LUCKY ALI has a dual personality. He8217;s a legendary man of few words when it comes to formal interviews. But disarm him with a simple ...

LUCKY ALI has a dual personality. He8217;s a legendary man of few words when it comes to formal interviews. But disarm him with a simple 8220;thank you8221;, and the taciturn actor-singer shares anecdotes, laughs, and dances and mimics.

When designer friend Deepika Govind tells you she is creating a more stylised look for him, he beams and says, 8220;Phull shtyle.8221; Music and acting are just a part of Lucky8217;s USP. He8217;s also an organic farmer8212;8220;We manufacture cheese; there8217;s mozzarella, bocconcini, feta and chevre.8221; A proponent of clean energy8212;8220;It8217;s the answer to all our energy needs.8221; And a pilot8212;8220;I have done about 45 hours. My instructor died in the crash that killed the actress Soundarya recently.8221;

8220;These are my interests,8221; says Ali, 8220;but I am not pursuing any of them. All are stepping stones to reach where I actually want to go. I8217;ll send you a postcard when I get there.8221;

Ali is in the news for his latest album, Kabhi Aisa Lagta Hai. 8220;I did it for T-series. The album is in memory of my younger brother, Macky. Especially the song Teri Yaad Jab Aati Hai. Otherwise it8217;s a general Lucky Ali album,8221; he says.

His songs are and will always be melody based, Ali affirms. 8220;They make for easy listening. Tunes come simply to me and I render them simply. I don8217;t like complicating things.8221; Even when it comes to playback, Ali like many other singers often can8217;t recall what songs he sang, when and for which movie. 8220;I sing with people I like and I give it my best.8221; The same rule applies to acting. There have been many offers post Sur and Kaante, but none that interesting, he says. 8220;I am listening to stories, and I have liked one or two. The concept has to be original for me or let the guys be frank that they are making a remake.8221;

Remakes and remixes don8217;t really bother Ali. 8220;I wish I could remix some of my own tracks. It8217;s music at the end of the day and there are a few artistes who do a good job of it,8221; he says.

The 45-year-old8217;s acting career started when he was two-and-a-half years old with Chote Nawaab. As a youngster, there was Trikaal with Shyam Benegal. 8220;But yes, Bollywood recognised me with Ek Pal Ka Jeena from Kaho Naa Pyar Hai. Till then I was happy doing my albums8212;Sunoh, Sifar and Aks.8221;

Story continues below this ad

Empathise, educate and entertain, is Ali8217;s belief. And that8217;s exactly what his under-construction website will be all about. 8220;I will build a personal rapport with my fans. They can download my music and know about my interests.8221;

Ali8217;s musical inspirations are masters such as Madan Mohan and SD Burman. 8220;Today, all compositions sound familiar,8221; he says, shrugging. As for acting, 8220;My dad actor Mehmood has always been the best. Nobody has been able to achieve the kind of spontaneity that he had. Strict disciplinarian that he was, he always told me, 8216;Don8217;t beg, work8217;.8221;