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  He has to forgive me someday, says Arijit Singh

He has to forgive me someday, says Arijit Singh

Published : May 28, 2016, 11:45 pm IST
Updated : May 28, 2016, 11:45 pm IST

A lot is being said about Arijit Singh’s public apology to Salman, but the singer isn’t worried.

Arijit Singh
 Arijit Singh

A lot is being said about Arijit Singh’s public apology to Salman, but the singer isn’t worried. In a candid chat, he tells us what actually transpired, how he has no regrets and what’s most important to him. Excerpts:

Your fans did not like your public apology to Salman Khan... I have no regrets about it. I know where my fans are coming from and I understand their concern. But I did what I had to do. This song in Sultan (Salman Khan’s next) that was deleted was very important.

Isn’t every song equally important for you Why this one When you see the film you’ll understand why it’s so special. And it’s really not just about the song. Then what is it about I had already told everyone associated with the song that they shouldn’t record with me because Salman Khan is not on cordial terms with me. What exactly happened between the two of you It was my first awards function. I wasn’t prepared to go for it because I was editing a song for my mentor Pritamda. But Mukesh Bhattji, who was a jury member for the awards function, insisted that I come. And since his Aashiqui 2 was actually the beginning of my career in Bollywood, I couldn’t say no to him. I was in my casuals and I had a flight to catch. So I went in my chappals and casual wear to the function. I didn’t realise a lot of people would feel that I was insulting the function. Once you reached the function in your chappals, then what These functions go on for hours and I was very tired, so I dozed off. So when my name was announced for the award someone had to wake me up! On stage Salman Khan was laughing in disbelief and said, ‘Tu hai winner ’ When I got on stage he asked if I had fallen asleep. In my nervousness I blurted out, ‘Aap logon ne sula dia (you all put me to sleep)'. I immediately bit my tongue.

Is this what has upset Salman I think so. I don’t know of any other insult. I shouldn’t have done what I did.

Did you apologise to him At that very moment when he handed me the award I whispered ‘sorry’ into his ear. I couldn’t say more back then. When I came down from the stage I couldn’t find my seat, so I just started walking away. Salman sir saw that and commented, ‘Look at this guy. He has collected his award in chappals and now he’s walking away.’ I got really scared and didn’t know what to do. I was feeling bad about it, so that night, when I reached Kolkata, I texted him. He texted back saying I shouldn’t have gone so casually and I shouldn’t have disrespected the awards. I was happy he rebuked me as a senior and thought he had taken the anger out of his system. I thought it would be fine in five or ten years. So I left it at that When did you get to know he was still angry When I recorded a song for the Meet Brothers in Kick. They called me and said Bhai doesn’t want to keep the song. I realised he was still angry and started apologising again and asked to meet him to apologise personally. I told him not to be angry and that I was just a newcomer. Then came Bajrangi Bhaijaan. I was helping Pritamda with the music. When I was being considered for a particular song, Bhai again vetoed it. Pritamda told me he won’t record any song with me because he might have to remove my voice. I stopped working on the film’s music. After that, I again apologised to Salman sir. I thought time would heal the hurt.

Then what I was out of Mumbai when I got a call from Vishal Dadlani saying I have to come to Mumbai immediately to record a song for Sultan. I was really excited. I felt Salman sir has finally forgiven me. I went to Mumbai and recorded the song. It’s an amazing song. Vishal called me and said Salman sir liked the song too. Then I got a message from Vishal, informing me that my song couldn’t be retained in Sultan. Vishal said Salman sir had forgiven me, but that I can’t sing for him. Did he ignore you at Nita Ambani’s party No, we spoke. I apologised again. He said he was okay and that it was all good. But I could sense his coldness towards me. After the Sultan incident I tried calling him and texted him asking him not to remove the song.

So, no regrets about the public apology No regrets. I have no shame in saying that I wanted that song in Sultan. I knew some would misunderstand my Facebook apology. But it doesn’t matter. For me the song is important. And the relation I have with Salman sir is important. He has to forgive me some day. I didn’t mean to insult him.