We caught up with singer-composer Adnan Sami and quizzed him about music, his recent controversies and how he lost a crazy amount of weight in seemingly very little time!
Network 18: As a teenager you became the fastest keyboard player around. How?
Adnan Sami: I never planned it, I was suddenly told I was the fastest keyboard player in the world!
Network 18: What were your musical influences as a kid?
Adnan Sami: In western classical it was Mozart and Beethoven, in Indian classical - Ustad Ghulam Ali Khan. From the filmy folk I liked SD and RD Burman, Madan Mohan and among singers I listened to Elvis Presley and Kishore Kumar.
Network 18: Did you play Mozart and Beethoven on the keyboard and do you play that stuff now?
Adnan Sami: Sure!
Network 18: What do you consider your big break?
Adnan Sami: At the age of nine when BBC discovered me... they called me a child prodigy and I didn't know what that meant (laughs). I asked my father if he thought I could go ahead and play and he said, 'Of course!'.
Network 18: Do you prefer working on film music or your solo projects?
Adnan Sami: Both have their own excitement, y'know. I'm doing a project for Ken Ghosh, then there's my new album, which is very different from my previous work. And then I'm going to working with The Jacksons.
Network 18: How did that come about? Does this include Michael and Janet?
Adnan Sami: Jermaine Jackson's wife, who's from Afghanistan is now in Chandigarh. She heard my music, loved it and told Jermaine about me... so I'll be working with The Jacksons and yes, that includes Michael and Janet.
Network 18: So are there going to be any movie stars in your new videos?
Adnan Sami: (Laughs) It's too early to say... let me make the album first!
Network 18: You've worked with A R Rahman on Saathiya...
Adnan Sami: He's an absolute delight to work with, and so talented. He gives you space and let's you innovate. He totally deserved the Oscars and I'm very happy for him and Gulzarsaab.
Network 18: How come you're always in the news for your personal life these days? Your fans are obviously wondering what is going on.
Adnan Sami: I want to tell them these things happen and I want them to pray for me. At this point, I just want to take care of my family and my ailing father, who has cancer of the pancreas. I love my fans for their prayers, they give me strength. Sometimes things just happen... if it's not meant to be, so be it.
Network 18: Quite a few of my female colleagues are curious about your sudden weight loss. Tell us about the diet you follow!
Adnan Sami: No breads, no rice, no sugar, no oil! Eat as much salad as you want...and you can eat any kind of meat as long as it's grilled and not cooked in oil. If you're gonna have dal, have it without tadka!
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