My first interaction with Sanam Puri has been a lot like his music. Fun and unforgettable. And because he hasn't learnt the ropes of how to speak only 'appropriate' things while being interviewed, the discussion gets more enjoyable. From being ragged in Delhi University to his inability to use cuss words, Delhi-born Sanam speaks to us about everything.
Sanam may have had a great time during his six-month long stint in DU's popular Kirori Mal College, but his first day wasn't as fantastic as he had expected it to be. As the singer recalls, he was bullied and ragged by seniors at KMC making the experience both daunting and unforgettable. "Meri bahut ragging hui thi," he recollects, adding, "Kirori Mal ki Dramatic Society ke members bahut bully karte they. My seniors locked me in a room and spoke to me in a manner which I can't even describe. They used foul language to make it more horrific. Woh sab ek emotional torture ki tarah tha. And the weirdest part of it was that my seniors apologized for what they did to me. I shared the experience me with my parents and they advised me not to take it seriously."
Years later, he crooned a Bollywood song 'Dhat Teri Ki' which has the lyrics 'Kiss my a*** obviously bleeped out on TV. But Sanam had no qualms in singing a song that revelled in double entendre. "What is objectionable about a**? It just refers to a donkey, nothing else," he quips, adding, "There is nothing bad in using that term. Itna kuch ganda nahi hai ismei."
Like many, he too thinks Censor Board goes overboard in removing objectionable language in Bollywood songs. "It is wrong to think that only new songs are suggestive and loaded with double meaning. There are old songs too with double entendre. The only difference is that these songs have been written beautifully and sung in a way that nobody gets to know the hidden meaning. Just a few days back I heard a song which with lyrics 'Chunri nikal gai'. So we are mistaken if we think old songs didn't revel in double entendre. They all say the same thing but in a different way."
But what about the negative impact that such songs leave on young minds? "What negative impact? It all depends on how the youth perceives it. It has nothing to do with what is and isn't censored. Frankly, I don't really think there is any reason to censor any song."
Sanam may not have any qualms in singing songs that are littered with 'objectionable' language, and as many think, high on testosterone and low on taste. But he can't cuss crudely in real life. Even though he grew up in Delhi on a diet of swear words, he doesn't have the courage to use them. "I have heard almost all of those cuss words, but never had the courage to use them. Honestly speaking, I don't feel comfortable. I can't let my character and personality be reflected through such language. And I don't agree with those who think swearing is the coolest thing one an ever do. I don't believe in following what everyone does. Why not do just the opposite?" Strong words these, Sanam!
####
Comments
0 comment