Sonu Nigam's 'Mere Dolna 3.0' Recording: Amaal Malik Reveals Intense Industry Pressure
Renowned playback singer Sonu Nigam has lent his iconic voice to the classical rendition of 'Mere Dolna 3.0' for the highly anticipated film 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3'. The song, which has already garnered significant attention, comes with a fascinating backstory of industry challenges and creative conflicts.
The Struggle to Secure Sonu Nigam's Voice
In a recent revelation, the song's composer Amaal Malik shared that getting Sonu Nigam on board was far from straightforward. Malik expressed his surprise and disappointment that even an artist of Sonu Nigam's caliber faced numerous doubts and skepticism from various quarters within the industry.
"I am thinking very hard that they didn't want someone as amazing as Sonu Nigam to sing 'Mere Dolna 3.0'," Malik stated during an interview. He highlighted how the decision-making process in Bollywood music is often complicated by multiple stakeholders having conflicting opinions.
Industry Interference and Too Many Opinions
Malik elaborated on the complex web of influences that affect music choices in contemporary Bollywood. "ANR, label, producer, director, hero, hero's team, choreographer - almost everyone has a say on the music," he explained. This multi-layered approval process often creates confusion and delays creative decisions.
The composer emphasized that if the industry allowed professionals to focus on their respective roles without excessive interference, the creative process would be much smoother. "If the industry will allow each one to do their respective job, it will be beautiful. Which is not happening," he lamented, adding that sometimes he doesn't even know who to cast for his own compositions.
The Singer Selection Dilemma
During the selection process for 'Mere Dolna 3.0', Malik faced pressure from various directions. While producer Bhushan Kumar and the film's director were convinced about Sonu Nigam, other voices within the production created obstacles.
"Some people from the marketing team are coming, some from the actor's team, or some managers are suggesting, 'Why shouldn't we go with Arijit Singh or Vishal Mishra?'" Malik revealed, illustrating how external opinions often complicate what should be creative decisions.
Alternative Choices Considered
Malik confirmed that both Arijit Singh and Vishal Mishra were indeed considered for the song. "I understand, my choices were these three because I wanted a little bolder voice," he explained about his initial considerations.
However, neither alternative materialized. Arijit Singh, who had sung the previous version of the song, declined because he had recently performed it. Vishal Mishra similarly stepped back, stating, "Arijit has already done it. I don't want to do."
Sonu Nigam's Masterful Recording Session
Convinced that only Sonu Nigam could do justice to the classical composition, Malik persisted with his choice. His conviction proved correct when the legendary singer recorded the challenging song in just 45 minutes.
"It is the toughest song on Earth that I have also composed, re-composing Pritam's original into a new verse," Malik shared, highlighting the complexity of the musical arrangement that required both technical skill and emotional depth.
The Risk of Being Removed from the Project
In a startling revelation, Malik disclosed that his insistence on casting Sonu Nigam nearly cost him his position on the film. "To bring his voice to the film, they were almost ready to remove me from the film," he confessed, underscoring the intense pressure and resistance he faced.
Despite these challenges, the final result has been universally praised, with Sonu Nigam's rendition receiving widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike. The episode serves as a revealing look into the complex dynamics of Bollywood's music industry, where artistic vision often contends with commercial considerations and multiple layers of approval.
The success of 'Mere Dolna 3.0' demonstrates how perseverance and artistic conviction can ultimately triumph, even in the face of significant industry resistance and bureaucratic hurdles.
