Hindustan Times (Gurugram) - Hindustan Times (Gurugram) - City
‘I HAVE DEVELOPED A GOOD EAR FOR MUSIC’
Akshay Kumar describes his ‘exciting’ first attempt at playback singing
More than a quarter of a century has passed since actor Akshay Kumar made his Bollywood debut with Saugandh (1991). Ever since, he has acted in a variety of films and also dabbled in production. But this year is particularly exciting — with his film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, releasing next week, Akshay has made his first attempt at playback singing.
Recording the song, Toilet Ka Jugaad, “was an exciting experience, but not scary at all”, says Akshay, asked how it felt. It probably helped that he was already charged up. “I fell in love with the lyrics the moment I heard them,” says Akshay, “because they were so bang on, and so I was more than geared up to sing.”
Though evidently pleased with the result, Akshay laughs and says that it would be “unfair” of him to rate his own singing prowess. “I shall wait for the audience to hear the song and give their rating for me (laughs). I can’t judge myself,” he adds.
Would he call himself a ‘musical’ person, we ask. He says, “I’m not sure about being a musical person, but I do enjoy music and I believe I’ve developed a good ear for it over the years to know and understand what works and what doesn’t.”
Going back to the lyrics, Akshay reiterates that the words are “extremely relevant and hard-hitting”, and then adds, “Full marks to the [film] writers, Siddharth-Garima, who are also the lyricists of this song. Maybe that’s why they’ve managed to capture the essence of the film so effectively in this one song.”
Akshay emphasises that Toilet Ka Jugaad “talks about the current scheme of things in our country. It doesn’t shy away, and talks about the situation as it is. I feel that’s what makes it relatable.”
The lyrics of the song go: “Duniya chali mars pe / Chand zameen pe dikh rayo / Arry black-and-white se colour hua / Ab 3D main sab dikh raheyo / Haaro chaad gye Everest ka pahad / Bhaiya dhaad-dhaad-dhaad kar ley / Ab to toilet ka jugaad.” It’s a reference to how much the world has changed, and where mankind has reached — and how it’s high time that one at least installed a toilet.