The serious son of a comedian father — that is the last tag one can attach to Lucky Ali. The songwriter-singer-actor-composer was at his jovial best when Expresso caught up with him on the eve of his concert ‘Sur’ at the JT Pac.
He obliged every reporter who waited to meet him at the Choice House, Kumbalam, patiently answering every query — personal and professional — singing for us and posing for photographs. The man in white hardly came across as the serious son of the comedian father, Mehmood, an integral part of many a Hindi film of the 1960s and 70s.
Lucky Ali, who took the Indian pop scene by storm with the soulful ‘O Sanam’ in his debut album ‘Sunoh’, was in Kochi to give his first concert in the city. The songwriter-singer-actor-composer was at his jovial best when Expresso caught up with him on the eve of his concert ‘Sur’ at the JT Pac.
Excerpts from an interview.
My liking for Kerala
Lucky knows of the huge fan base he has in the state. “Oh yes! I’m well aware of it, especially after ‘Sunoh’ won the Channel V Viewers Choice Award in 1997. A majority of the votes were from Kerala.” Then why did it take so long to stage a concert here? “I guess I took my own sweet time. I’ve been told a great deal about the specialties of the stage where I am to perform. That was luring enough,” he says with a smile.
It surprises you when he says that has been following the music of the Malayalam film industry.
"Your best songs came out between 1975 and 1982.”
But Malayalam songs of the day are what Lucky calls “industrial stuff that works in loops.”
Mollywood calling?
Lucky is open to singing in Malayalam, though. “I’ve worked with A R Rahman in Tamil and with the de la creme of composers in Telugu and Kannada. So far, I haven’t been approached for a Malayalam song. I’d love to give it a try some day.” Attention Mollywood!
Watch out for ‘Xsuie’
It was after a five-year hiatus that Lucky released ‘Xsuie’ (which means ‘at your own pace’) on the internet in September 2009. And now, he’s all set to make it a full-fledged album with 10 songs. “Five tracks of the album will be released by May 15.” Again, on the internet. “I think it’s more of an environment-friendly thing. I know it might not reach out to all and sundry but nevertheless, I believe it’s a good try.”
His concern for the environment brings us to what he is currently hooked on to. Besides music, that is.
A passion called ‘Agritecture’
Lucky is presently based in Bengaluru, where he practices ‘agritecture’ — blending agriculture and architecture. “It’s all about introducing natural systems into the urban landscape. The aim is to be self-sufficient,” he elucidates. Besides, he proposes to start a music academy in the farm.
An international album on the anvil
Lucky is also working on an international album with his friend and producer Berry. “This one is going to blend different artistries. The English album will have tracks from my albums ‘Sunoh’, ‘Sifar’ and ‘Aks’ in an English format.” Indeed, an East meets West combo. Berry chips in, “It’s our humble effort to make it known to the world that Indian music is much beyond the commercialised Bollywood songs. The album will give the world an opportunity to know the real voice of India. The experience of doing the album itself is a reward.”
Bollywood buzz
From ‘Tum Jaano Na Hum’ and ‘Ek Pal Ka Jeena’ in ‘Kaho Na...Pyar Hai’ to ‘Hairat’ in the recently-released ‘Anjaana Anjaani’, Lucky has a hit-galore to boast of in Bollywood. “But for now, I’m fully immersed in my album,” he says. So acting assignments, too, have been put at bay. But didn’t we hear the buzz about the sequel to the action flick ‘Kaante’, where Lucky rubbed shoulders with Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt and Suniel Shetty?
“I thought the film ended with the death of the protagonists!” he says with a laugh. “I wonder how the makers are going to resurrect dead men. Let’s see!” And he is quick to add that the next time he comes on screen would be in his own film.
I don’t play the violin!
Did you know that all the high-voltage emotional scenes where we see Lucky playing the violin in his super hit song ‘Aa Bhi Jaa’ in ‘Sur’ was, eh, acting? “Trust me, I have no clue on how play the violin.” Now we know what acting is!
Social networking
Lucky swears that Facebook is “an amazing space on the internet.” Though not big time into social networking, Lucky sure knows how to tap its potential. “I’ve always loved interacting with people as it broadens my perspective. Social networking helps me a lot at that.”
‘Sunoh’ reminds me of...
“Struggle.” A pause later, Lucky says, “It reminds me of the days I struggled to get the album released.” But with the dime-a-dozen reality shows, youngsters today stand a better chance, don’t they? “Probably. But only those who sing from the heart see success. The music scenario might have changed over the years. But my heart hasn’t.”
Mehmood, my father
“We might not have been the best father and son around. But over the years, I realise I’ve had his blessings, love, understanding and trust.” Clearly, the son who ran away from home during teenage, fell a victim of drug abuse and inspired his father to script the film ‘Dushman Duniya Ka’ (incidentally, he made his singing debut in Hindi through the film), holds his father close to heart.
From horse breeding to Bollywood
Lucky’s experiences are as varied as can be — he has been into breeding horses (“It’s a beautiful animal. And swear! It teaches you patience!”), oil rigging, farming et al before music got on to him. And now he fancies the idea of setting up a music academy. “My company, the Surplus Group, intends to promote artists with an inclination for music. The faculty will be from Europe, mostly. Students who want to specialise in particular areas of music will be send to the country where the art is at its best. I agree, there is no guarantee of employment in the curriculum, but I trust every artist who sings/ plays with his soul will know the worth of our modus operandi.”
For budding talent
Do something because you love it. And do it at your own pace. Practice hard, apply yourself with all sincerity and believe in your art. When your art has to reach the world, it will.