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Candid- with Singer Srinivas .
February 17
but the director of a movie also has say obviously . For example , I even sang Telephone Manipol in Indian , which Rahman liked but Shankar didn ’ t . Finally , it was rendered with an established singer Hariharan . The reverse happened with Minsara Poove , Rahman was planning to record again with Hariharan , after recording my sample but , Rajnikanth liked mine and insisted to keep my version . This song was the most important one in my life . Because I sang as a track singer and Hariharan , my inspiration since then , was suppose to sing it . Of course , it would have been different he would have sung it . He would have done a better rendition . The experience he had was always difficult for me to match , but when Rajnikanth says he liked my version that ’ s where luck plays an important role . I feel , one has to be talented and lucky . And if you dream hard enough , I ’ m sure your turn will come up . We have to work our best and wait patiently . That ’ s what i tell my daughter .
Selvakumar - You had introduced a lot of people and made their time come . I have heard lot of singers like Swetha Mohan , Chinmayee , Karthik …
Srinivas - Swetha , I would have encouraged her as a new comer and would have given her some recommendation . But , beyond that she is Sujatha ’ s daughter and she was talented as well . Chinmayee , of course , I personally took her to Rahman ’ s , taught her the tune , recorded it . Then , he came and really liked it and asked me where did I find her . Also with Karthik , I called me for a song and that ’ s how he got a break with Rahman . But , you do this only because you are passionate about music , you want good people to come . You are not doing any charity , if one is immensely talented . They will do good , if they are talented and they will surely come up on their own . You just give a start for them , which you should really do because there ’ s a chance for everyone in everything . I had a great musical career when I look
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back and I still do a lot of things now . Just because I introduce someone , doesn ’ t mean they would replace me . You should never get insecure about yourself and keep reinventing yourself .
Selvakumar - What was your first song in hindi ?
Srinivas - It was Ooh La La La . I sang for concerts and Filmfare awards performances with Rahman then and I sung this song in hindi as well . Then I sang for 1947 , Dil Hi Dil Mein and Lagaan . But , my biggest hit was in Dil Chahta Hai with Shankar- Ehsaan-Loy . It was because of Javed Akhtar , who liked my voice in a song in an album by Jatin- Lalit . He introduced me to Farhan and the trio .
Selvakumar - Who all did you work under in Tamil , other than Rahman ?
Srinivas - I sang for almost everybody . Ilayaraja , Vidyasagar , Barathwaj , Ramesh Vinayagam , SA Rajkumar . Everyone .