More than Bollywood, Baba Sehgal has been doing Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and even Malayalam these days. When he is often questioned about his Southern shift, he answers them positively, saying that he will be ready to sing in a village if that is what God offers him.

In his exclusive interview with IndiaGlitz, the 'Power Singer', as he is now fondly called by many in AP, talks about what inspired him to conceive a song on Pawan, and also reveals that he will soon take the avatar of either an actor or a music director.

Excerpts:

Inspiration for 'Pawanism' song:

Ever since I sang 'Roop tera mastana' for Riksha Vodu in 1997, my relationship with Mega family has been on. I have known all of them to an extent. But it was when I sang for Jalsa that I came in contact with Pawan Kalyan. I have since liked his attitude, his style. After Gabbar Singh became a big hit, and having seen its music reverberating even in villages, I realized his exorbitant fan base.

I started liking him more when I watched Gabbar Singh in a Mumbai theatre. Inspired by his attitude, I wanted to compose a song on 'Pawanism'.

The material for concept:

I am in Hyderabad for at least 10 days in a year. I meet Pawan's fans here. As and when I interact with them, I learn something or other about his personality. Aside from this inspiration, I read about him on the Net and learnt about him from people who know him.

Glorifying him as a person:

The song has been written from the perspective of an average fan. The idea is not at all to glorify him as a God; the song just praises him for what he is - as a good, humble person off screen.

The genre of the song:

The song is a normal one that is not purely rap or anything. There is the Bangla element mixed with the Southern flavour. Whoever heard the song felt it was good.

The teaser has had a tremendous response. We are planning to release the full version in mid-September.

Pawan's response:

I discussed the idea with Pawan before embarking on the project with the intention of getting his nod. When I sang the first lines, he was mighty thrilled, was shy, and a bit embarrassed.

Rehman helped me:

Not that I do not know Telugu, but only that I am not fluent. I understand the language. I sat with Rehman (lyricist) and worked on the song with him.

Puri was excited:

Puri Jagannadh was excited when he heard the song. The footage might be used in Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu.

What I like in Pawan:

He knows what he wants. He is simple, humble, focussed. Though he is so popular, he doesn’t show attitude.

My all-time favourite:

I like all my songs (he has sung 50 songs in Telugu), but it is that song from Riksha Vodu that I value the most. It was hugely popular even when there was no satellite media, mobiles and internet. Of course, it was after Jalsa (2009) happened that I bounced back in a big way. I do not believe in making comparisons, because sounds change, the media change, techniques change, new tastes develop over a period of time.

The energetic DSP:

Yes, for me Devi Sri Prasad is special because he is an excellent composer who exudes energy. He is like a gold mine for me. The title track from Mr. Perfect is one of my favourites.

The Southern sojourn:

I am happy doing Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and even Malayalam. I am not a South guy completely. I am happy and proud to be here, because I don't differentiate between Bollywood and other industries. What God offers me, I want to do my best in that. Even if it is a village where I have to sing, I will lap up the opportunity. I am glad and humbled that people now refer me as 'Power Singer'.

Actor or musician first?:

I want to keep it under the wraps for now. I will soon make an avatar either as an actor or a music director in Telugu!