‘Originality is what will keep you going’
...California-based singer Gauri Saksena, who is
currently creating quite a stir with her remix of Madhuri Dixit’s hit ‘Chane ke
khet mein’, tells Nicole Dastur
You made your
singing debut with a remix of a song. Aren’t remixes overdone these days?
Remixes are available a dime a dozen
these days, but they exist only because there is an increasing demand for them.
Their popularity is the basis of their existence. If done tastefully, remixes
have a much larger audience; they are already known to the older generation, and
even the younger generation identifies with the song. I believe remixes are the
stepping stone to enter the music market, originality is what will keep you
going.
Madhuri Dixit was recently in the
news once again (she was in Mumbai and performed live at an awards function).
Did you coincide the release of your song ‘Chane ke khet mein’ with her visit to
the city?
No, that was purely
coincidental. And what an amazing coincidence it was! Madhuri is one of my
all-time favourite actors, and I’m honoured to have made my singing debut with
one of her most popular songs.
Which
version of ‘Chane ke khet mein’ do you prefer?
I’ve treated the song in a completely
different manner; it’s done in my own style. But nothing can take away from the
original. Madhuri’s the goddess of dance, and she made the song the hit that it
was.
Your video, featuring Mumait Khan,
has a lot of skin show…
Frankly, I’m not
for raunchy videos, in fact, I think too much vulgarity takes away from the
song. But thoda-bahut to hona hi hain na, that’s what today’s audience wants.
But it should be tastefully done, it shouldn’t look cheap.
You quit your job as a Finance Manager to pursue
singing….
Yes, singing was, and is, my
first love. Besides having sung a couple of songs for radio and television
advertisements, I’m also the lead singer of a band Dhun, which was formed by my
husband Sandeep.
Is playback singing for
Bollywood the next step?
Yes, that is my
dream. This music album is only the first step in my journey.
Any particular actress you’d like to sing for?
Rani Mukherji. She’s an extremely
talented actor and she’s gorgeous!
