Lucky Ali's Second Marriage

        19th November 2000, Why Lucky Ali remains a mystery to many has more to do with destination than design. The New Zealand-based singer - composer, who projected a dreamy pensive image in his very first hit single, O Sanam, compounded his screen persona with actuality by disappearing to distant shores. In a casual blue jacket, cargo pants, Lucky Ali talks about his turning point over coffee and chilli cheese toast.

 There's a marked change in the performer, who's fired with a sheer high and the kick one gets from happiness, an exuberance that's reflected in his latest album, Aks. The songs, upbeat, positive and perky, veer fundamentally from his earlier efforts that were hued with searching and agony. What essentially is his turning point, that crucial event or chain of events that determine the man that is today?

 "What you see," says Lucky Ali. What one sees is his new wife Inaya, young fresh Inaya, just two brown eyes and the rest concealed in hijaab. He looks towards her, his eyes brimming with affection, warmth and love, as he holds her hand within his." It's something I was waiting for," he states. Yet Lucky hesitates to talk about his second marriage, which has given him a new lease of life, a second youth, if you may. "I need to probably pray about it and find out whether it is right to talk about it because were not glorifying things that are sacred, they are their own glorification." he says.

 Born into a celebrity family, Lucky had dad Mehmood, mum Meena Kumari's younger sister and American mum (second wife to Mehmood) cushion him from the harsh glaring realities of life. The days of singing in the hills of Mussourie and cherishing the echo as his only companion, was when he discovered he could infuse his voice with emotion and charge it with feeling. Yet he did not have to grapple with real choices, a present predicament from which he emerges happier, more vital and whole.

 "I realised that you've got to take a decision, take a responsibility and honourably move ahead," pronounces Lucky about his decision to seal the matrimonial bond with Inaya. "Often we as human beings get swayed, unlike angels who are made of light and have one singular purpose. I could have punished myself, got myself punished by probably being irresponsible, but then I had the support of my family and I decided that I'll take that step and I'll be responsible for it."

 Here Lucky refers to the understanding of his first wife Masuma, a New Zealander by birth, and his two little children. He reflects: "I find that I've come to a situation where I am more aware of what goes into something and what comes out. You intended to be something and somewhere it turns out to be something else. You don't have control over it."

The impact of his decision is not what Lucky would like to dwell on. "I will not answer that," he asserts. 'That remains to be seen. Everyone's happy, can't you see? My children, my wives, both my wives are friends? Now what impact it will have I don't know, because I've never seen the future."