Interview 3

          Lucky Ali misses his home India. But  he doesn’t think he can return in the near future." I am a world citizen", he laughs, adding, "India has changed a lot since I left".  He doesn’t even realize how the last two years, after the release of Sifar, have flown by. " You know, I have been married for the last six years but it seems like it was yesterday ", says Lucky.  At the moment, he is, however, occupied with Aks and refuses to even think about his next project.  " I have to convince myself that I am prepared to do another album, " he reasons. Maybe, we will have to wait for two more years before we can ask for another Aks. 

1- Your new album AKS is finally released, why the name had to be so esoteric ?

It’s a nice name, isn’t it? The songs are a reflection of my thoughts. That is why I call it Aks, which means reflection. My songs reflect the various relationships that I have gone through over the years, the impressions that people I met in the course of my travels left on me and generally, life itself. In a way, Aks is a continuation from where I left in Sifar, my last album.

2- Tell us more about your latest album, AKS ?

Aks is an album which celebrates joy and revelry. It is a lively, up-tempo album inspired by life as I see it. Aks is divided into 10 different facets. It portrays different emotions. It's happy, it's sad, it's contemplative. It jumps around and then it just sits down under a tree and thinks.

3- Do you plan your albums ahead or do they just come about spontaneously ?

Everything works out the way we want it to, within the framework of what we are allowed to use. Aks, for instance, is reflective of whatever one is growing into, whatever we are, wherever we are headed. It is consistent with my first two albums. I don't understand numbers and the number game. But I do understand one thing, a lot 
of people are quite happy that I have been able to work like this. I believe that everyone who has worked with me and who i have worked with have been able to contribute to it positively. There is no method or formula that works. A child screaming is music, too. You have to be conscious. Then again, I am more particular about being harmonious. It's the melody that is important to me. Music is not just about learning notes or playing an instrument. One has to understand music from within and then reach out. I don't like too many instruments, so I consciously try to keep simple..

4- Your music always reflects a certain kind of philosophy, the solitary reaper on his journey to eternal self discovery. It hits you from every aspects - your albums, music, the lyrics, the locales.

Everyone is solitary, I believe. I like to be solitary. That's when I can express myself best. And I hope that connects. There is a deeper message to it. It is easier to convey a deeper message through music rather than stating it in bare words. Then again, I am more about being harmonious. It's the melody that is important to me. Music seems all about learning notes and playing an instrument. Harmony is understanding music from within. 

5- It was in Sunoh, your first album, and particularly the song, O Sanam, you introduced oriental sounds in your songs for the first time. Does Aks, too, have an oriental touch?

Well, kind of. I like good music but I don’t think that there is anything exotic about it.

6- The image of a traveler continues in you new video " Tere mere Saath" too, which has been shot by your friend Mahesh Mathai in Cuba.

It is a beautiful place with nice people. One keeps going to the States or the UK,so I thought why not Cuba.

7- What is your role in the making of your videos ?

I do believe that others also love to express in their own way. I am willing to understand and forgive. I cannot and do not want to do everything. Once my work is done, I hand it over o the others. The video of Anjaane Rahon Mein, for instance, was a beautiful story in itself. It was done straight from the heart. It is very special to me. So is O Sanam. Just like one immunizes one's baby against a disease by inoculating it with the disease itself. So also I let my music to go through the process of growing and developing through the others.

8- How do you fell about your popularity especially since Kano Naa pyar hai has also made you a stars of sorts ?

To me, everything is momentary. Like, right now, we are sitting down and talking, and then we are gone. But it was nice that we met. I do find my popularity a bit funny, sometimes. I have been in uncomfortable situations where I donot know how to react. When I am asked to sing in award functions or marriages, I feel awkward. I sing about mortality and death. I can't possibly sing about maut (death) in a Dandia!!! I would do it but then I do have to be sensitive to how people would feel.

9- Now that playback singing has proved 'lucky', are you going to continue singing for movies ?

i really haven't decided. I just consider all this a phase of my life. Kaho Naa Pyar Hai is Hrithik's success. I had nothing to do with it. i was just a song. I  was just there when it all happened. It was quite an honor to work with Rakesh Roshan. But that's it. I also find it difficult to say no to people. Music is just another phase of my life but a very precious one. Sometimes, when things seem too good and you feel lucky, you should be careful and stay away from it. If it seems too easy, then it's not right. Let's see how things work out.

10- How much has this phase changed you ?

It has definitely affected me a lot. Sometimes, I feel like a chicken that has been hit by a car and flutters around. But, I am truly happy. I consider myself very lucky ! Right now, I have a fancy company backing me.

11- From acting to breeding race horses to selling carpets, you are literally a jack of all trades. How do you feel ?

Every thing has been a tremendous learning experience. You are constantly observing learning and working. When I was an Actor, I got to work with the best. Same with music, when I moved on. I am expressing myself best through my music.

12- Do you have any favorite singers ?

The fact remains that, back home, I don't even have a television or tape recorder. It's a conscious decision. I listen to neither classical or pop. I really haven't seen many of the new videos.

13- Why have you chosen to live in New Zealand ?

My wife is from New Zealand . So, we decided to live there. I do visit India regularly. So, I don't feel homesick .

14- What are your plans ?

I don't know. I can never plan anything. I hope, INSHALLAH, that once this phase is over, I am able to move onto something else. Some thing nice and productive. Even now, music is just a serious, passionate hobby, not my career.