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The suspense is over

September is the month when Daler Mehndi comes up with his annual new release. But this September there was no news from Daler, after which one got to know that his honeymoon with Magnasound was over since he split with the music company. Speculation was rife as to which music company would dare to sign the highest paid pop singer (Magnasound’s Rs. 2.5 crore deal with him is still talked about) and what would he come up with next. Daler was in Mumbai recently to perform at a private function, and spoke to us about his new album, his deal with Tips, and also set straight some misconceptions about him.

Just when music buffs were wondering what Daler Mehndi’s upto (his album, long overdue, showed no signs of releasing, after he parted ways with Magnasound), the swinging Sardar has sprung a surprise by signing up with Tips, which will release his new album in May.

Why did you split up with your mentor music company Magnasound, especially after it renewed your contract last time with a historic deal of Rs. 2.5 crore, something unheard of for a pop singer?
The deal was historic only in its name. Magnasound quoted this exorbitant price just to create a hype. Actually I was to be paid only Rs. 50 lakhs, and the remaining amount of rupees two crores was used in media promotion and the making of videos. But Magnasound put it all together and said I was signed for this huge amount of 2.5 crore rupees. The amazing part is that even the 50 lakh of rupees due to me hasn’t been completely paid. Magnasound still owes me a part of the amount. Some of the cheques by which they made the payment bounced. I had signed a two-album contract with the company, during which I made Tunak Tunak Tun for it. But because of it’s unprofessionalism, I didn’t do the second album. In November 99 my contract with Magnasound terminated, and I decided it was best to part ways.

Why did you agree to be a part of the hype? Couldn’t you have put your foot down?
As an artist under a contract, I couldn’t have gone against what the company says, so I had to stay mum. All this hype of me being a 2.5 crore artist has done a lot of damage. It gave a wrong impression of me to other music companies, who were then vary of approaching me since they thought I was too big for them, unaffordable actually.

How did the news, that you were signed for another record deal by T-Series, circulate?
I don’t know. I am surprised myself. I sang for three films and the music of these films was released by T-Series, Khauff, Arjun Pandit and their home production. Maybe that’s how the rumours spread that T-Series had signed me up, and that too for a record deal, meaning paying more money than Magnasound. I was amused. I told T-Series to issue a denial and the company clarified that they hadn’t signed me.

Everyone’s eagerly waiting to hear from you. When is your new album happening? Are you working on it?
My new album is ready. I had decided that I’d give it to any company other than Magnasound. And I am glad that Tips wants to release it. I have struck a good deal with the company (one-year-one-album agreement) and I am confident the album will work well.

With so many Punjabi pop singers popping on the scene, aren’t you afraid that being out of sight for a long time, you would be out of mind too?
Not at all. I maybe releasing my album after a long gap, but I can never be out of sight because my songs keep playing on all music channels, so people do keep me in mind. I think the delay will help since it will make people curious by the time the album gets released in May.

How’s the Daler Mehndi Green Drive, which you set up to preserve the environment in Delhi, progressing?
It’s doing well, though I could do with some more monetary help. We plant a lot of trees in the monsoons. I spent quite a sum to keep the green drive going, about seven lakh rupees every month. Most of my money, which I make through concerts, is used in the green drive, and it makes me happy that I am doing my bit for the environment.

You had got a lot of bad press recently. What led to it?
It was a misunderstanding actually. I had to attend a press conference in Mumbai, but my plane got delayed in Delhi, because of which I couldn’t make it to the conference on time. The organisers didn’t convey this fact to the press, who thought that I was present in the hotel room, but was deliberately delaying the conference. So the press staged a walk-out thinking I was acting high and mighty. It was no fault of mine you see.

You’ve also set up a company, DM Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., which presently looks after your career. What are its expansion plans?
The company will promote promising talent, those artists who are good but who don’t get the necessary encouragement, resources and backing. The company will provide a platform to such artists. It organises all my shows, and in the future it will help raise funds for charities and deserving causes.

Salma Khatib