We rarely find Daler Mehndi singing in Bollywood now. Here’s why..

There was a time when Daler Mehndi‘s name had been synonymous with Indian pop music. This Punjabi singer has given us numerous hit songs, including film and non-film tracks. However, his presence in Bollywood music is a rarity these days. In a conversation with a leading publication, Mehndi reveals why he rarely lends his voice for Bollywood these days. He credits the reason to singers being treated like options and with less respect, and lyrics with degrading quality.

“I want to sing for Bollywood, but I can’t compromise on my respect. I am not the kind of singer who records a song that 10 others do too. I don’t like to be an option.

If a song is meant for Daler Mehndi, only then will I sing it. I can’t sing for free, pay composers or woo them with gifts to get work. I can’t sing vulgar songs,” he said.

Keeping multiple singers as options has been a trend in Bollywood of late. Recently, Salman Khan’s ‘Sultan’ landed itself amidst controversies after the makers decided to chop off Arijit Singh’s version of the song ‘Jag Ghoomeya’ and replaced it with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s version.

“I like to take up tracks that other singers can’t even think of singing. In the last four years, so many singers have come and gone. My style of singing is my USP,”  Mehndi added.

He is remembered for having sung in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s ‘Rang De Basanti’ and ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’.

“Rakeysh ji ke sath mera rooh ka rishta hai. We know little about each other, but whenever we meet, there’s always so much warmth. He trusts my work. He believes that I do things in a way no one else does,” the singer smiles.

Do we expect him to sing in Mehra’s upcoming release ‘Mirziya’ too? Time will tell!

 Also See: Video – Daler Mehndi takes the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.