Chitchat with Baba Sehgal about Pawan Kalyan song

Chitchat with Baba Sehgal about Pawan Kalyan song

30 August, 2012
Hyderabad

Baba Sehgal is associated with hits of Pawan Kalyan. He sang a song each for Jalsa and Gabbar Singh. Both these films have become hits. Baba Sehgal has penned and sang a song on Pawan Kalyan. Music teaser and video song will be released on 2 September and 14 September respectively. Here is an exclusive chitchat -

What is the reason for doing a special song for Pawan Kalyan?
My entry into South India came with Chikchiklet song from Rikshavodu. I still remember Chiranjeevi coming to airport to pick me up in his Toyota Serra car. He hugged me when we met for the first time. For a mega star of such stature he need not extend such generous gestures to me. I have become a fan of Chiranjeevi then. When I came for Jalsa audio function, I was awe-stuck by the crowds and their enthusiasm. That's where I realised the power of power star. When I talked to him later, I realise that he is unlike any star. He is in recluse most of the time. He gives respect to all individuals irrespective of our stature. He still calls me Sir. I haven’t seen any films of Pawan Kalyan except for Gabbar Singh. I am a huge fan of Pawan Kalyan for his inner personality. When I requested him about his consent to make a single song on him, he gave a go-ahead. I am doing this song and video as an individual without seeking any financial help from anybody. I have no intention of using or commercialising the brand of Pawan Kalyan. It’s a personal tribute to Pawan Kalyan on behalf of all fans of Power star. I will not release the music as a CD, I will release it using online media, TV media and FM stations. Nobody has done a single song for non-filmy purpose on a film star so far. My association with Pawan Kalyan got me so much close to Pawan Kalyan fans that they started to refer me as ‘Power Singer’.

I wrote the lyrics in Hindi and got it translated in Telugu. I am planning to release both Telugu and Hindi versions. This song talks about Pawanism. We are planning to launch the audio teaser on 2 September on the eve of Pawan Kalyan birthday. I will release the video song on 14 September by holding a press event.

You are one of the pioneering male pop artists in India?
Thanda Thanda Pani from my first album Dil Dhadke created ripples all over. If somebody has to select one signature song for Baba Sehgal, it is going to be Thanda Thanda Pani (Ice Ice Baby). I had several pop albums and video albums to my credit. I had given stage shows, anchored events, participated in reality shows, acted in Broadway, composed music, sang songs, penned lyrics, did video editing and promoted myself in a hard way. I took a break for 4 years and went to USA to do my own business and to work with theater. Jalsa was my comeback song in Telugu. After that I had done many Telugu film songs for films like Adurs, Mr Perfect, Gabbar Singh, Arya 2, Don Seenu etc.

Your Telugu diction is good. How did you manage it?
I am basically from UP and I speak shudh (pristine) Hindi. Since languages like Hindi, Telugu and Kannada are derived from Sanskrit, I can sing in Telugu without causing any embarrassment. I take only 2 hours to complete a Telugu song. My first Malayalam song took me around 8 hours. Tamil and Malayalam are very hard to sing in for a Hindi guy. I am starting to learn Telugu now and in a few months I can talk like a proper Telugu guy. I am emotionally attached with land of Andhra Pradesh. You don’t see my kind of interaction and involvement from any of other North singers.

Though I am known for singing songs for big stars and big budgeted production houses, I am open for limited budgeted films too. Recently I sang for RR Movies Love Failure and charged very less. If anybody approach me to sing songs for them, I don’t mind doing it for less.

What are your plans and which films are you working for?
I never plan. Things just happen to me. I have currently worked for 7 Telugu, 5 Kannada and 4 Tamil unreleased films.