Guru Randhawa: I don’t want my songs to give out the wrong message

Growing up in Gurdaspur, Punjab, Guru Randhawa and his brother would often talk about making music with Armando Christian Pérez aka Pitbull someday. The wish came true as the Punjabi musician released his single Slowly Slowly with the American rapper two days ago. “I really believe that if one wishes for something with all their heart, it comes true,” says Guru gleefully. That apart, he also attributes the collaboration to the quality of his track. “International artistes only agree to work with you if they approve of the work. Pitbull sir liked the song and came on board,” the High Rated Gabru hitmaker chips in.

A NEW JOURNEY

Guru is looking at his debut international release as the first step of a new journey of representing India overseas through his music. The two artistes have also spoken of creating more work together in future. The number has opened gates of more stuff offshore, though Guru states that he cannot reveal anything yet. As for music in India, “I have a couple of songs in Arjun Patiala and some more Bollywood movies, while two other non-film songs are ready, as well.”

CLEAN MUSIC

Whether Patola, Lahore, Ban Meri Rani (which featured in Tumhari Sulu, 2017) or Suit Suit (also heard in Hindi Medium, 2017), Guru’s songs are, in most cases, unlike what one hears of in Punjabi tracks. There’s no glorifying alcohol or objectifying women. Ask him if that’s a conscious effort, and the singer-composer says, “I’ve grown up watching and listening to pure music by legendary artistes like Ataullah Khan saab, Gurdas Maan, Babbu Maan, Hardeep Cheema, Kamal Heer paaji and others. So, I want to maintain that, too, and not give out wrong messages through my songs.” He further reasons, “Anyway, it’s not like a number will do well only if it has such content.” At the same time, Guru is not judgmental of musicians who make such songs, and thinks that the audiences should be discerning. “To each their own. Honestly, we are all here to entertain. And look at the movies — so many actors and actresses smoke, drink, fight and use guns on screen. It’s up to us, whether we want to be inspired by all that or just be entertained,” he points out.

Pitbull with Guru Randhawa

NOT KEEN ON ACTING

Punjabi musicians are also pursuing Bollywood dreams. While Diljit Dosanjh and Jassie Gill have Udta Punjab (2016) and Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi (2018) to their credit respectively, Harrdy Sandhu and Ammy Virk will be seen in sports drama 83. But Guru insists he has no such plans. “Unhe acting aati hai toh woh kar rahe hain, mujhe nahi aati,” he laughs and adds, “They’re all like my brothers, and I hope they do well because they have the same roots as me and I want to see them growing. But I’m on a different path. I’m not keen on acting; it seems like an extremely difficult task and I’d rather leave it to the experts.”