I remember listening to ‘Aap Jaisa Koi’ while growing up and ‘Disco Deewane’ and soundtrack of the movie, ‘Star’, was a craze in every house. Then it was college, ‘Made in India’ and its various songs were a part of our everyday life. Do these songs and albums ring a bell? They do. Right! They are all the creative genius of Biddu.
Biddu was born in India, where he started his career playing in a pop band whose influences lay in the classic repertoire of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Following his early success, he decided to hear West and move into the international music arena. He struck gold, signing the unknown Carl Douglas and producing “Kung fu Fighting?” which went on to become a hit all over the world. He also wrote and produced hits for Tina Charles and soul legend Jimmy James.
Around this time, Biddu became involved in Indian music: he composed the cult “Aap Jaise Koi” for the film Qurbani which set a new landmark for sales in India. He followed this up with a pop album, Disco Deewane, with Nazia Hassan, which became the largest selling pop album in Asian history, and was the first Indian album to hit the charts in fourteen countries. In 1995, Biddu wrote and produced the three-million-selling album Made in India with the singer Alisha Chinai. To date, Biddu has sold over thirty-eight million records worldwide.
Thank you, Biddu Sir, for taking time out of your busy schedule and answering the questions.
What made you think of writing a book? Were you inspired by someone to write?
I decided to write a novel initially while sitting on the beach in Spain. I had decided to retire from music as I had been doing it almost since man learned to walk, so a change in direction was needed to spark the fire inside one. Also writing a novel is like writing songs. You need the discipline to get up look at a blank sheet of paper or computer screen and then begin filling it with words and sentences. I think I have that discipline.
Though both the fields are art, how difficult was it to write a book?
Writing a book takes time. For instance the book I’m working on has already taken a year and I’m not finished yet. So book writing is akin to a marathon. While song writing is a sprint.
Have you ever suffered from writer’s block?
I don’t suffer from writers block per se, but often if I’m on vacation , say in Italy or the States, you spend time sightseeing and visiting friends, shopping etc, and working on the book is placed on the back burner. So when you come back home and decided to crack on with the book, the first day or two can be difficult.
What kinds of books do you read? Who is your favourite author and what is your favourite genre? Has any author influenced your writing?
Don’t have a favourite author or been influenced by anyone else. Altho’ I am a huge admirer of Shakespeare.
Which book are you currently reading?
At the moment, I am working on my new novel. Between that, TV watching, dinner parties, yoga etc, whose got time to read.
What is the next project that you are working on? When is the next book scheduled for release?
The book I’m working on is a ‘who dunnit’ set in Spain. It’s a tough one, as I’ve never written in genre before. But, I’m keeping it fast paced, interesting and entertaining.
Any word of wisdom for aspiring authors?
Make sure you have spellcheck.J
Thank you once again for sharing your thoughts with your readers.
Metro Reader 