Sanjith Hegde set to focus on his own music

There was a time when Sonu Nigam’s voice was on pretty much every Kannada movie album, a track record that Sanjith Hegde appears to be emulating these days. He is every Kannada music composer’s darling and is now set to make a mark in B-town with the Hindi version of Kanmaniye from the upcoming Pailwaan, called O Jaaniye.
O Jaaniye is your first Bollywood song, how does that feel?
It is not a straight Bollywood movie track, considering that it is for the Hindi dubbed version if Pailwaan, yet it feels good.I didn’t expect that I would sing in Bollywood so early on in my career. It is a very difficult place to enter, as there is a lot of competition.
Along with playback singing, you are also working on your music...
There was a point about six months ago, when I had two recordings of playback singing, per day, for two weeks. And to sing well every day at every session, is a very big thing — you lose count of what you have sung. I am taking a little step back from playback singing. I am excited about my upcoming projects as an independent artiste — that is going to be really cool.
Your tryst with becoming a singer started with reality shows, and you started really young. What is your advice to other youngsters who are starting out?
The more exposure you have, the more you know what you want to do with your music. I was in reality shows at a point of time where I just wanted to sing and make my voice reach people. I had a good experience.
My advice to young folk starting out is perhaps cliched — just be yourself. I was accepted for who I was, at least to a certain level, but I know many people who were discouraged. If people don’t accept you for who you are, don’t stop being yourself. You might not receive acceptance right away, but few years later, you might be ‘the thing’.
How would you define your music?
There is no genre. I want to make music and see if people connect to it. I am trying to learn as much as I can to be more like myself. (Just then, a shehnai street performer passes by) Could you just hold on one second? (Sanjith runs out to get the musician’s number) This guy passes by my place once every few months. I have been waiting to collaborate with him for long. I don't know what I am going to work with him on, but I just want to. It’ll be a quirky combination.
Any other quirky things you have done?
I make sure I do something quirky in every song. I find absurdity really attractive. I make sure I put that part of myself in everything that I do.
You have quite the fan following, especially in colleges. Were you a heartthrob in college?
(Pat comes the reply) No. nothing like that. (chuckles) I have always been an extrovert, not a heartthrob. I still don't consider myself to be one.
Your hairstyle is quite popular too…
I don't know why this is asked everywhere I go. You guys have to stop! (chuckles) I really don’t put in effort and even my mom knows. I just let it be the way it is. No real care or attention goes into making it the way it is.
Who keeps you grounded?
I got into the entertainment industry at a young age and have related anxiety issues. That is when you need someone to keep you grounded, from time to time. My mom, dad and Charan (music director Charan Raj) help out every time I get anxious or have an anxiety attack.
Celebs today are speaking up about issues like anxiety, what are your views?
Anxiety, depression, handling failures — these things get to you. I have seen people who use it as an excuse. Just give the person who is going through something, some time and space, so that they can settle down.
Who are the musicians on your wish list to work with?
I do want to sing for AR Rahman sir. I also want to work with a lot of producers abroad. Timbaland and Bruno Mars are really cool artistes who I would love to collaborate with. Obviously, it is a very long shot, but I don’t know, perhaps one day (smiles). Also, I went to Mumbai to record O Jaaniye and I met a really cool musician called Gulraj Singh. Through music, you get to talk to so many people and get to know so many things. That is what excites me. I want to move to Mumbai and work with more such people.
Any acting aspirations?
I have got a lot of calls from the Tamil and Kannada industry, but nothing firm. Maybe one day, I will take up a role that lets me be myself. I will have to dedicate a year to learn the tricks of the trade.