This story is from March 30, 2008

‘I think I am a complete crooner’

Lakshmi Ajay / TNN / Mar 30, 2008, 00:00 IST

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TOI catches up with Kunal Ganjawala who talks about his favourite muse, called music!

doweshowbellyad=0; Kunal Ganjawala (TOI photo) More picsFourteen years in the industry; starting from the famous 'doodh doodh doodh' advertising jingle that gave wings to a refrehingly different voice and later after crooning the phenomenal "Bheegy hont tere", a singing sensation called Kunal Ganjawala hit the Bollywood shores and started his tryst with the industry phenomenon.
Currently judging a reality show Voice of India Chhote Ustaad for kids, Kunal is optimistic and clear about his role as a judge.
Truly excited about the fact that he is part of a reality show which is the launchpad for two talented two girls, Kunal says, "I was very clear from the start that I will be part of the show, only if the judges have an equal veto power on the show as the audience; so that precious talent is not wasted in the process. After seeing all the high drama in other shows, I believed that judging should be balanced. I think that came through in this show, as the whole country has caught on to the show and is voting and watching the show with great interest. For once on a reality show both the audiences and judges choices have coincided and I am happy with the result as two very deserving talents have gotten recognition. "
So does he think the kids today have it better with all the shows giving a platform to upcoming talent, "I certainly like to think that it is tougher for them as they have a lot of pressure and demands to deal with at their age and also the criticism that comes their way.

So to have that tough mental make-up is important." And his take on the lacunae area in the Indian pop music scenario which once had a gamut of popstars in the country like Alisha Chinai and Biddu?
"Film music is our brand of pop music today. The fact is that the music directors today are so quick and wired to the world that if they find a particular trend emerging in the music scenario they make sure to introduce the elemant in Hindi movie songs as well. A.R Rehman came and created a new mould and set a benchmark for Bollywood's music scenario.Be it a groove or a sound, contemporary music directors like Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Pritam have brought fresh sounds and grooves to the Bollywood movie songs and made them stylised. Till five years back Bollywood music was very conventional, but today its rocking." So does he see himself cutting a music album soon, "I am working on something, and writing songs and collaborating with some artists as well, which will be out soon. The problem with pop albums is that out of six two tracks become popular and then people dont really go out and buy albums like they do with film music. I will go wherever my work takes me."
Does he believe that romantic ballads are his cup of tea? "I'd like to think so! I think I am a complete crooner and love to do romantic songs. Although I have done funky to tapori songs as a singer, but my favourite is definitely romantic ballads." So does having a professional singer as a life partner help things a wee bit. Kunal avers, "It is both a good thing and a bad thing. Good because obviously you have a lot to relate to with each other, but unfortunately you also tend to bring a lot of work back home, which is sad." So with projects like Shaurya and One,Two, Three and a lot of singing happening down south; and a lot many chartbusters waiting to happen, looks like Kunal is raring to go!

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