It’s been a little over a decade since he last performed in the city. With a slew of new songs under his belt, a newly acquired Indian citizenship, and a passion for the finest degree coffee, singer Adnan Sami is set to take the stage (his first live concert after he became an Indian citizen), in Chennai, organised by RI District 3230. The concert, held in aid of flood victims, will be a dramatic shift from the singer’s previous performances in the city. In a freewheeling chat, Sami talks about why his concert will be different, and on his long stint away from Chennai.
You will perform in the city after a decade…
I can’t believe it has been a decade! Sometimes you don’t realise how time flies. I still think that it was only yesterday when I was a little boy, learning to put on my pants. And all of a sudden, you realise how much time has passed. That said, I am excited to be in Chennai again.
What are you looking forward to in Chennai?
Degree coffee — I simply love it. In fact, it was one of my conditions to the organisers: that I get good degree coffee while I’m there, and in the traditional davara-tumbler. There’s no other way you can have it. Coffee is my thing, and I love to collect coffee everywhere I travel. I remember, the last time I was in Chennai, I went to this place {I don’t remember the name} where the coffee was so popular, that there was a long queue outside.
What’s in store for us?
These days, I view the past in two ways — many years ago and many, many kilos ago (laughs). More seriously, my weight loss has changed the demographics and physicality of my concerts. Earlier I would come, sit, sing and leave. Now, by the grace of God, I am far more mobile and I’m all over the stage. This way is so much fun. I also have many new songs for the audience.
Your videos from your pre-weight loss days were pretty unconventional in the sense that you weren’t just the fat person in the corner…
I never felt the need to be apologetic. I believe we should not conform to popular trends and notions; they’re always changing. One day size zero might be in, and the next day curvy is the new sexy. I firmly believe that you should just be yourself. I was never apologetic when I was obese; it’s who I was. Yet, I had the most beautiful heroines romancing me in my videos. Why can’t a fat man be loved? What about one’s soul? I have a soul drenched in music and love. Can a Greek god lookalike offer that? Love transcends all kinds of boundaries, and my videos were a reflection of this belief.
Have you given films a thought?
Well, I am venturing into acting soon. It’s a different zone for me, artistically speaking. Movies are a natural progression from my music videos that were cinematic short films in themselves.
What kind of roles are you looking for?
Instead, let me tell you what kind of roles I don’t want to do. I am absolutely not excited to play a musician. It’s not a stretch for me. Where is the challenge in that? I want to play roles that push me out of my comfort zone; I want to test my artistic boundaries.
What about your music then?
Music will remain my foremost passion, regardless of what else I am doing. Piano keys are an extension of my fingers. I recently recorded a song for a Kannada film. I am doing a lot of playback singing these days — for Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam films. I think there is enormous musical talent in the South. In fact, some of my best songs are from films in the South.
You’ve had your fair share of controversies. How do you handle that?
I take it very simply. Is there anyone on this planet who has had a smooth sail? Nature has a way of ordaining balance, so there are always positives and negatives. I’ve been through my share of moments of despair like anyone else, but I’d like to think that I rose to the occasion and came out a better person.
You recently became an Indian citizen…
I can’t even begin to express the depth of my feelings. It took me 16 years to achieve something I had believed in. This has to be one of my greatest accomplishments. I’ve been living here for 17 years, and have travelled the length and breadth of India. But it was only recently, when I was in Goa and I looked around, that it hit me — this is my country; it’s where I belong. I’ve never felt like that anywhere. I’m experiencing India all over again.
You’ve lived in the Middle East, the U.K. and U.S. Why did you choose India?
You’re right. I’ve been living like a gypsy. My wife Roya is from Germany, and I could have chosen to become a German citizen. But there is no part of the world that I’ve related to like I have with India. The people here accepted me as their own even before I was granted citizenship. Here I don’t have any form of culture shock — I feel at home.
Adnan Sami will perform at the University Centenary Auditorium, Chepauk, on February 14 at 7 p.m. Donor passes are available on Bookmyshow, Eventjini, Chennaiyil.com. For enquiries and bulk bookings, call 94453 55555
