Himesh-Reshammiya.com

Given Reshammiya’s many film and musical commitments, it stands to reason that he isn’t an easy person to get hold of. Thankfully, he obliged Bollyworld with an interview, albeit it takes place at 9pm, India time, in Mumbai.

“I visited South Africa recently for Karzzz. It’s a lovely place and the people are so warm,” said the music director, composer and singer.

The recent years have been a whirlwind of activity for him. Aside from performing at the Heineken Music Hall, in Amsterdam, and the Hill Auditorium, in Michigan, and making history as the first Indian to perform at Wembley Stadium, this talented entertainer has been developing his budding acting career.

“The foreign audiences have been very accepting of this unconventional boy and his music,” laughs Reshammiya. He adds: “My music, more than anything else, connects with anyone who has been in love. They relate to the lyrics.”

Reshammiya made his acting debut with Aap Ka Suroor - The Real Love Story (2007), which was a semi-hit.

What prompted his switch to acting?

“By the grace of God, I got a huge fan following all over the world. In all the mail I got from them, they urged me to try my hand at acting. It was a very big step for me,” he shares.

And he was recently in town to film scenes for his second outing in Satish Kaushik’s Karzzz, which is a remake of Subhash Ghai’s 1980 hit film, Karz.

Reshammiya will play the dual role of Ravi/Monty Oberoi, a wealthy tea estate owner who is reincarnated as an aspiring singer.

“Karzzz has a more contemporary subject now. I also have several other films coming up. There is Pooja Bhatt’s Kajraare, Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh Mud Mud Ke and John Matthew Mathan’s A Love Iiiisshtory. These films will release in the next one-and-a-half years. And I am only doing seven or eight songs, because in this industry overexposure is not good, as it will kill my sound
. The music for Karzzz is unconventional, but it will appeal to the youth, because it is contemporary and pure raga base sounds,” he enlightens.

Did I mention that Aap Ka Suroor 2 - Ae Himesh Bhai is in the pipeline?

He adds: “It was shot in Cape Town and Joburg. It’s 80% complete, with three songs still to be shot in Mumbai. Urmila Matondkar plays Simi Garewal’s character, Kamini, and Shweta (the daughter of filmmaker Indra Kumar) plays Tina.”

Reshammiya is paired with several new actresses, such as Niharika Singh, Jennifer Kotwal and Monalisa, from Pakistan, in his upcoming films.

“I guess because I am an unconventional-looking hero they (the filmmakers) decided the on-screen chemistry wouldn’t work with conventional actresses.”

So what can fans expect from his live performance?

“I will be supported by my student, Vineet Singh, and Pahwa Dharna and will start with Aashiq Banaya Aapne. I have selected songs from Namastey London (2007), Dasavatharan (2006), Apne (2006), Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005), Kuch Meetha Ho Jaaye (2005) and Taarzan: The Wonder Car (2004). And, I will perform without my cap for the first time. I also do so in Karzzz,” he reveals.

I joke that it will be strange to see him without his trademark attire.

He smiles: “Every two years you need to change your sound or look or else people will grow bored.”

Before he says goodbye, he promises to belt out a line from the title track of Karzzz for fans. He can’t sing the entire tune, because the album hasn’t been released.

Himesh Reshammiya Live in Concert at Emperors Palace on Saturday and at the ICC Durban Arena on Sunday. Tickets: between R130 to R1 000 at Computicket and Global Bollywood Music.

Credits:
tonight.co.za

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