Exclusive! ‘I wanted Sidharth Shukla in Mast Barsaat,' says Sajid Khan

Salman Yusuff Khan, Soundarya Sharma and Sajid Khan/ PR image

Music composer and singer Sajid Khan from Sajid-Wajid recently launched his latest song ‘Mast Barsaat' featuring Salman Yusuff Khan and Soundarya Sharma. He reveals he had initially planned the song with the late Sidharth Shukla. He also speaks to mid-day.com about his next big song ‘Bhai Ka Birthday' from Antim featuring Salman Khan and Ayush Sharma. The singer-music composer who recently celebrated his late brother Wajid's birth anniversary with Salman Khan, also shares how he is keeping his brother's memories alive.

How did you create ‘Mast Barsaat'?
I was at my friend's studio and I found a harmonium that was in a terrible condition. I cleaned it and he told me that it belonged to his father and was more than 80 years old. The harmonium was used to create music for some big films from the past. I played a tune on it and really loved the tone, so I told him either gift it to me, I'll buy it from you, or I'll snatch it from you (laughs). From that tone, the composition of ‘Mast Barsaat' came out. In today's times where electronics and programming is doing all the key work, this is an organic song. The melody and lyrics are simple so I hope people love it.

You released the song on Wajid's birthday…
At first I wanted to give this song for a film, but 7th was Wajid's birthday and I realised this song can be released on this special day and I can also launch my music channel Taleem the same day.

How did Salman Yusuff Khan and Soundarya Sharma come on board?
Salman is very dear to me and a younger brother to me. Taleem music is his house, so he gets whatever he wants. Initially, I wanted Sidharth (Shukla) in the song but unfortunately he's no more. Then I made Salman hear the song though he had a busy schedule he said, "Bhai I would love to do this, let me handle it." I said, "It's yours brother." We had called 3-4 girls for the female lead, but Soundarya is good in acting, has an Indian face and expressions are perfect.

What film song are you working on currently?
My next song is ‘Bhai Ka Birthday' for the film Antim (featuring Salman Khan and Ayush Sharma.) That is a big song that I've sung though it's a different music composer. When we were two brothers, together we could take a lot of load, so now I'm only focusing on working with people I share a good relationship with, like Sajid Nadiadwala, Salman bhai, Raaj Shaandilyaa.

How are you keeping Wajid's memories alive?
Wajid was a melodious person. I used to work more on the sound, arrangement and party songs, item numbers. Wajid had a different kind of a soul and believe me, I never used to make these kind of songs. But since the time he's not with me, after a week, I was crying and sitting by the sea and I composed something then and there and I couldn't believe that I did it. I made my mother hear the song and she started crying saying, "Yeh toh Wajid hai." I never sang a song in my life though I've done choruses and hook lines. After Wajid died I sang my first song for ‘Radhe.'

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