While Ali’s work as a singer-composer shot him into the limelight nearly 15 years ago, the 50-year-old’s reputation of being a recluse supercedes it. He seems to have a knack of vanishing every time fame comes knocking at his door. He laughs at the suggestion, but doesn’t deny it. “I don’t want to be a part of the race or to be on every poster and every billboard. I’d hate it if people got tired of me,” he says, justifying his stand.

However, this time round, Ali isn’t going anywhere. He’s spent the last three months in Mumbai, juggling between post-production work for three Bollywood movies, a crossover film and an album. Runway, which releases next week, has him in a negative role. However, he isn’t quite looking forward to the film. “I have no idea what I’m doing in it,” he brushes the topic aside. “But I’m looking forward to Azeem Parker’s Rock Shock. I play a comic role for the first time — something close to the kind of characters my dad (Mehmood) played.”

Glad to be at the periphery of the film industry, the actor is critical of Bollywood. “It’s a very uncomfortable space. I don’t think Bollywood is serious about cinema. It’s very demeaning to the talent available here,” he retorts.

However, Mahesh Mathai’s Raastaman is likely to help him break into the space he respects. In this crossover movie, shot internationally, Ali acts as well sings for the project. Apart from this, Mathai, a partner in the music label Blue Frog, is bringing out the singer-composer’s next music collection Ek Soyi in August — it five years after his last Kabhi Aisa Lagta Hai. “Music is a hobby that pays me well. I can’t churn out music like a factory since to me, music’s about feelings,” he asserts.

The reclusive artiste seems to be returning to the roots of humanity. He spends most of the year on his animal and organic farm in Bangalore. The rest is spent travelling, making music and fighting for various causes for the Indian farmers and working closely with them. It may sound like a busy life but Ali admits that he wouldn’t do anything unless it’s required of him. “I like to have a dog’s life — sleep, relax and watch and eat whatever little can be managed. When I was young, my brother gave me a card which read: If you want the best from life, paddle slowly. I’ve come to adopt this principle in life.” And he smiles the smile of a monk in a self-imposed exile.