Adnan Sami, who completes 26 years in Indian music industry this year, recently recalled the highlights of his musical journey in an interview. During the same, the noted singer-composer spoke about the working experience with Amitabh Bachchan in 2003 on the popular song ‘Kabhi Nahi,’ and the legendary actor’s first reaction upon the offer.
Speaking with Komal Nahta on the latest season of his podcast Game Changers: The Music Series, Adnan elaborated on the memory when he first gathered the courage to play ‘Kabhi Nahi’ for Amitabh Bachchan. Adnan said, “First I sang the song to him and seeing him enjoying it gave me courage and I asked him to sing it. He said, ‘I am just a bathroom singer. This is too difficult for me.’” It took some convincing before Amitabh Bachchan agreed to come onboard as a singer for 'Kabhi Nahi'.
Adnan went on to share more memories from the recording booth and later on, from the shoot of 'Kabhi Nahi' music video. He added, “Amitabh first requested to sing lower notes in his typical baritone, and tried very hard to keep it that way, but I asked him to since in upper octave.”
Eventually, addressing the actor's worry that singing with headphones would destroy the energy ("Headphones mein jab gaane jaunga, saara josh khatam ho jaayega"), Adnan recalled how they recorded him — live with no headphones and a cloth-wrapped mic. “We recorded him with the speakers on, without any headphones. And he sounded like a million bucks. I wish we had BTS culture in that era, because watching him record, I wish I had a camera. The expressions and joy he had on his face- Gen Z won't understand, but it was a 'Kodak Moment',” the singer-composer added.
It is to be noted that in the prime of his career, Amitabh Bachchan had lent his voice to a few film songs like ‘Rang Barse’ (Silsila), ‘Mere Angne Mein’ (Laawaris), and ‘Mere Paas Aao’ (Mr Natwarlal).
Meanwhile, Adnan Sami recently released his new single ‘Ishq Tamasha.’
Game Changers: The Music Series premiered exactly a month ago on September 1, with Sonu Nigam as the guest for first episode of the new series by Komal Nahta.