Latest news with #Namak
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Rekha Bhardwaj initially ‘turned down' the song ‘Namak' from Omkara, singer admits ‘crying' while singing: ‘Such a naughty, sultry track, I never imagined…'
With her unmistakably soulful voice and deep roots in Indian classical music, Rekha Bhardwaj has carved a lasting legacy in the world of Hindi playback singing. In an interview with SCREEN, the singer revealed that she initially declined to lend her voice to 'Namak,' the now-iconic track from her husband Vishal Bhardwaj's 2006 film Omkara. She also opened up about her experience of working with legends Gulzar and AR Rahman. During the conversation, Rekha revealed that she sang the chorus of 'Namak' and Vishal wanted her to record the track. 'Vishal had very less time to do this song; he was working continuously. I was busy with my own things at that time. We had bought our first home, so he would come back and sing the songs to me. One evening, he sang this song (Namak) and asked me how it is sounding and if he should complete it,' she shared. The singer added, 'I told him that it's amazing; there's a lot of scope for him. When I sang, I naturally added that high in the chorus. The nasal twang came on it own. Itna hi gaaya and he was blown. He said tum hi gaaogi gaana. Isko record kardo so that you don't forget.' However, after listening to the entire song's lyrics, Rekha Bhardwaj wasn't comfortable in singing it. 'Then, there were a lot of changes made in the composition. Itne changes karke jab Vishal leke aaye, I said that I can't do it. Till then, I had only sung soulful songs. I thought I can only sing melancholic songs. I never imagined I could sing such a mischievous, naughty, and sultry song. I had those elements in me as a human being, but I didn't think I would sing such a song. I convinced them that I am not the right person,' Rekha shared. ALSO READ | Known as Vishal Bhardwaj's wife, Rekha Bhardwaj gravitated towards Osho: 'Didn't Vinod Khanna sacrifice the peak of his career…' It was her husband Vishal Bhardwaj who convinced her to sing the track. Eventually, she said yes and recorded 'Namak'. 'Suddenly, Vishal realised that he had recorded my singing in his Motorola phone. He came home one day and made me listen to that. He tried to convince me to sing it. He said that only you can sing this song, there is no other singer. Jab main uss rehearsal mein hoti thi, main roti bhi thi aur gaati bhi thi. It was a big responsibility. Vishal always used to tell me that when you go on the mic, switch off the real world. I closed my eyes and sang, I thought I'll just do it.' During the interview, Rekha Bhardwaj also reflected on her relationship with legendary lyricist Gulzar. The two have collaborated on several memorable songs, including 'Darling', 'Raat Ke Dhai Baje', 'Tere Ishq Mein', and 'Namak', among others. The singer said, 'Gulzar sahab mere baba hain, unke saath relationship special hi hai. I always say that agar vo humaari zindagi mein nahi hote toh hum pata nahi kis galaxy mein bhatak rahe hote. He is that guiding force, that light in my life. Unke saath patience, hard work, and perseverance seekha hai. You should never stop working on your craft. I feel so fortunate that most of my songs are written by him.' Rekha has also collaborated with AR Rahman for the track 'Ranjha Ranjha' from the film Raavan. Recounting her experience, she revealed, 'My most favourite songs of Rahman are his collabs with Gulzar sahab. It's always great to dub with Rahman sahab. He has his own ways. He makes you very comfortable.' Recalling the recording of 'Ranjha Ranjha' with him, the singer shared, 'He was not visible in the console room, could only hear his voice. He told me later than I can see you smile, but I want to hear you smile. That was such a beautiful way to give feedback. Unhone dubaara raat ko 11 baje bulaaya aur bola ki aur high karna hai sur ko, then the song was finalised on a higher key.'
Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
'I've no qualms about singing item song, it doesn't imply that I become cheap': Rekha Bhardwaj opens up on singing Namak
Singer Rekha Bhardwaj has opened up about her hit song Namak from the 2006 film Omkara and how she 'wasn't getting much work' before its release. Speaking with News18, Rekha said that she is comfortable singing any genre of song, adding that lending her voice to an item track "doesn't imply that I become cheap". (Also Read | Rekha Bhardwaj reveals how late Jagjit Singh once made her feel 'so small', said her voice had lost its 'chamak') Rekha recalled the time before she sang Namak. The singer said, 'It took me very long to rediscover that mischievous, naughty side of me through song. I had lost all confidence when I was first asked to sing it. But Vishal [Bhardwaj] believed in me. He played back a recording of me singing it casually one night and said, 'Only you can sing this.' That gave me the push I needed. Until that point, I wasn't getting much work. That song made me realise my potential." Citing the example of Lataji Mangeshkar's Aa Jaane Jaan, she said that a "song can be sensuous and still be dignified". "If it is not aesthetic, I would not like to sing a track. Other than that, any form is good to me. I have no qualms about singing an item song; it doesn't imply that I become cheap or anything of the sort. Item songs are part of our cultural expression too. It's not about the form- it's about how it's executed. A song can be sensuous and still be dignified. Just look at Lataji's Aa Jaane Jaan – those kind of songs had grace, not vulgarity," she added. Rekha has sung many other hit songs such as Laadki, Genda Phool, Mat Aana, Nikat, Aise Kyun, So Ja So Ja, Sakhi Ri, and Yeh Ishq Hai. She also lent her voice to Teri Fariyad, Dum Ghutta Hai, Zinda, Mileya Mileya, Hamari Atariya Pe, Pehli Baar Mohabbat, Mora Jiya Lagge Na, Oye Boy Charlie, Ghagra, Kabira, and Mat Aana and among others.
