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09 Sep, 2018

People sometimes refer to you as Pakistan’s A.R. Rahman, I said to Sahir Ali Bagga in a conversation recently. “Then I guess that makes A.R. Rahman India’s Bagga!” he laughed in response.

Bagga is one of, if not the most, prolific music producers and composers in Pakistan. It’s hard to fully list the amount of work he’s done in the past 20-odd-years but, of his recent work, there are the soundtracks for drama serials such as O Rangreza, Khaani, Khudgharz, Ghar Titli Ka Par and films such as Jawani Phir Nahin Ani, Punjab Nahin Jaungi, Bin Roye, Dukhtar, Jeevan Hathi and Azaadi.

He’s worked with all of the major names in the music industry — from Jawad Ahmad (he produced his debut album) to Sanam Marvi, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan and, most recently, Aima Baig and Momina Mustehsan. He’s also composed most of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s songs (“At least those that are major hits in India,” he adds).

Born and bred in Lahore, Bagga speaks with a thick Punjabi accent and has a wicked sense of humour. He’s quite candid about his views and seems to lack any pretence. He’s very proud of what he’s achieved so far but communicates that more with excitement than with any hint of arrogance.

“I think A.R. Rahman is very good, but his rating is the same as mine,” he says candidly. “None of his songs have gotten 500 million hits. My song with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Zaroori Tha, has crossed 500 million views.” (To be absolutely accurate, at the time this interview went into print, Zaroori Tha had around 470m views on YouTube.)

“Similarly, my song with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Main Tenu Samjhawan Ki, is about to reach 1 billion views,” he adds with a hint of pride. The song came out in 2010 as a part of the soundtrack of the Indo-Pakistani film Virsa and became hugely popular.

Later, Karan Johar ‘bought’ the song and adapted it for his 2014 film, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania with Rahat’s vocals replaced by those of Arjit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal. While both versions are very popular, I wasn’t able to find the track with a billion hits.

Although well-known in music, television and film industry circles, only recently has Bagga started to become a household name — mostly through his performances as a singer, in addition to writing and producing the songs, on shows such as Coke Studio.

As a person who has always shied away from the limelight, why has he decided to come out now?

“I used to be very shy, I still am, I just couldn’t,” he says over a series of phone and video calls from Norway, where he is currently on tour. “Also, I don’t want to take names, but I’ve worked with so many singers — big names — who would sit in my studio and lie in interviews. Bohat jhoot boltay thay [They would lie a lot.] They would take credit for my compositions, in my studio, to my face,” he chuckles.

“None of AR Rahman's songs have gotten 500 million hits. My song with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Zaroori Tha, has crossed 500 million views,” says Bagga.

While he is keenly aware of the injustice done to him, I sense he also wants to give the impression that he harbours no feelings of resentment. “I would stay quiet for the sake our friendship. Plus, I’m from a musician family.” (Bagga is the son of well-known Pakistani music composer from the 1970s, Amjad Hussain.)

“Back then, we faced a lot of financial difficulty and we had to run our household with whatever we could make. This is why [I kept my mouth shut].” He also has a reputation for being a workaholic and had no time for ‘self-promotion’.

Times have changed since he was a drummer for the band Jupiters — which is credited with having launched the careers of both Ali Azmat and Jawad Ahmad. Bagga joined the band in the late 1990s. Due to his experience in playing and producing with his father in film music, Bagga was one of the few people who was well-versed in using the R8 drum machine.

According to him, “it was very much in use in the film industry and later music bands started using it as well.” He was playing as a sessions musician with three different bands until Jupiters decided to take him on as a full-time member and that’s where he met Jawad Ahmad.

Later, both he and Ahmad left Jupiters because of some serious intra-band politics. “We left the band and made an album which had a song that I composed for the first time, called ‘Bin Tere Kya Hai Jeena’. That’s where it all started. From drumming, I got into composing songs. They became big hits. After that everyone — Abrar-ul-Haq, Shazia Manzoor etc —started coming to me for their music. So, I kept making more and more songs.”

Bagga’s work isn’t limited to Pakistan alone, he has done a lot of work for Bollywood as well, and is familiar how international and industry politics affect cross-border collaborations. In 2012 several Pakistani artists who had contributed to the Bollywood film Cocktail were denied visas to attend its launch in India.

Do issues like this make it difficult for him to collaborate on cross-border productions? “Not for me. I can talk on the phone, listen to the idea, create the song here and send it there. But for the singers it’s a problem jab halaat kharab hotay hain India aur Pakistan ke [when the situation is bad between India and Pakistan],” he says.

“India has such a strong film industry. Whoever says ‘India needs us’ [our talent], we need them too. That’s why we go to India to work,” adds the musician.

“Sometimes we [producers] get flack as well. Like, there was an Indian composer Adesh Shrivastava, he’s passed away now, he was very much against me. Then there is Abhijeet the singer, he’s very much against Pakistanis working in India. Uss ne bohat kaam kharab kiya hai. Sab ko pata hai, woh to bohat hi bolta rehta hai. [He’s ruined things a lot. Everyone knows about it, he keeps mouthing off.]”

But the reality of the situation is that our domestic film and music industry isn’t big enough to sustain a full-time career in music. “India has such a strong film industry,” he says. “Our language, music, culture is all quite similar so it suits us to work for that industry. Whoever says ‘India needs us’ [our talent], we need them too. That’s why we go to India to work.”

And that’s why it’s important to develop talent in our local industry. He laments that the same “ginnay-chunnay loag” [select few] end up hogging all of the lead roles in major film productions and soundtracks as well.

“We need new people,” he says, “an industry doesn’t grow without them. You have a big industry when there are many people working in it, not the same four people over and over again. Until then, we can’t even think about comparing ourselves to anyone else.”

Bagga may have worked with a lot of established names in the industry, but he’s also worked with a lot of new blood. Last year, in Coke Studio, he collaborated with Aima Baig — whom he’s worked with on a number of occasions — including on one of the season’s more popular songs, Baazi.

Although Aima Baig had been working in the industry for a couple of years until then, after Baazi, her star really started to rise. She has since been featured on the soundtracks of Na Maloom Afraad 2, Verna, Saat Din Mohabbat In, Jawani Phir Nahin Ani 2 and Teefa in Trouble.

Aima Baig giving Sahir Ali Bagga two thumbs up after recording their song Baazi.
Aima Baig giving Sahir Ali Bagga two thumbs up after recording their song Baazi.

“Aima is better than most of the women singers in the country right now,” says Bagga. “She’s good, she has a fresh new sound. Every singer needs to have a strong identity, when it comes to their voice, whether they sing folk, classical or pop. She makes it her own. She’s God-gifted and gives any song her own colour.”

Bagga has returned to Coke Studio this year on a collaboration with Momina Mustehsan on a ballad titled Roye Roye. Personally, I feel they’re a bit mismatched both vocally and visually — while Aima Baig has a very powerful voice and can hold her own, Mustehsan comes across as somewhat awkward and frail compared to Bagga’s stronger performance in the song.

But Bagga feels his collaboration with Mustehsan has been received favourably by audiences. “It’s gotten a very positive response,” he says. “It’s on top of the list.” It was on number 4 on Patari Charts at the time this interview went into print.

We haven’t seen the last of an Aima Baig and Sahir Ali Bagga collaboration though, they’re due to return with a second song this season called Malang.

After this, what’s next? “My plans are the same,” he laughs. “The more singers we have, the bigger our music industry will be. I want to make the industry bigger — both music and film. If it doesn’t happen in the next five, six years, mein mulk chor doonga! [I will leave the country!]”

As a final question I ask him what it feels like being in Norway. “You know when you’ve been running and running and finally manage to catch a breath? That’s how I’m feeling in Norway. It’s very peaceful here,” he responds. “Also, it feels good to have so many fans here. There is an entourage of cars in front and behind me. Mein hairaan ho jata hoon [I am amazed] … am I even worthy of all this?”


Originally published in Dawn, ICON, September 9th, 2018

Comments

Halfis Sep 09, 2018 11:04am
Pride hath a fall
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Truth Seeker Sep 09, 2018 11:12am
But have you got an Oscar? Lol.
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Ahmed Sep 09, 2018 11:16am
Who ? Same as Mr ARRehman you joking aren’t you
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Ahmed Sep 09, 2018 11:18am
Never heard of this Pakistani chap
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Socrates Sep 09, 2018 11:23am
A.R.Rehman: Yes heard of him a great deal. But who is Sahir Ali Bagga ? Never heard of him.
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SID Sep 09, 2018 11:26am
No one in India has ever heard this fella's name and No one in India says "We need Pakistan". Praising oneself doesn't make it true, only facts are real.
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Amal Sep 09, 2018 11:28am
Face palm moment. Please don't embarrass us by such ludicrous statement.
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Hassan Sep 09, 2018 11:34am
I really like his work and think he is good but this attitude of too much pride makes him very small.
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PHILOSOPHER (FROM JAPAN) Sep 09, 2018 11:39am
Joke of the century. Isn't?
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I love classical Sep 09, 2018 11:45am
Childish attitude would lead to embarrassment to the Pakistan nation..
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Nurul Sep 09, 2018 11:55am
“Then I guess that makes A.R. Rahman India’s Bagga!” “None of AR Rahman's songs have gotten 500 million hits. My song with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Zaroori Tha, has crossed 500 million views,” says Bagga. Neha kakkar has more 500+ million songs than you that make her more successful & Legend than both AR & Bagga?? The reality is, You're not close to AR Rahman. Before you start learning musics, AR already gave chart-buster like ROJA album. In fact, you should said AR is the reason you become bagga today, if you're honest enough.
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Etna Cincinati Sep 09, 2018 12:13pm
There is a certain genius and class about A R Rahman. To hold yourself to that pedestal asks for enormous credibility to back up your claims. Please be gentle with your pride sir. Be grateful for the millions of views and don't stoop low to hold it out as your biggest achievement.
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Imad Sep 09, 2018 12:20pm
Extraordinary claims like this also need extraordinary evidence.
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Munnabhai LLB Sep 09, 2018 02:01pm
Your benchmark is always an Indian isnt it? Simply loving it.
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Ahmar Qureshi Sep 09, 2018 02:02pm
Sahir Ali Bagga is an artist & so the AR. Rehman, both are related to music industry. I think it won't be creating a world war 3 situation if both artists are compared as per their services in musical industry. I admire both of them & let's not create a fuss on this showbiz buzz..
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Rahat Sep 09, 2018 02:24pm
Still u taking Mr Rahman's name at least 20 times in an interview while he would not even know who you are. Forget about oscars and other int'l awards he has got
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Raja Abbas Sep 09, 2018 02:30pm
@SID... And you are that no one.!!
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Raja Abbas Sep 09, 2018 02:32pm
I am a big Fan of Sahir and he is a million times better then any Indian singer or song writer.!!!
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Vijay Meena Sep 09, 2018 02:52pm
@ Raja Abbas Who is this guy. Never heard his name in India.
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Hinamalik Sep 09, 2018 02:53pm
The only difference is that the whole world knows AR Rehman and no ones knows you
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Socrates Sep 09, 2018 03:20pm
Sahir Ali Bagga ? Who is he ? Never heard of him.
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Jee Sep 09, 2018 04:11pm
AR Rahman is a global superstar with monumental and wide ranging talents. Delusional to even draw a comparison of the great A R Rahman with Bagga.
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Mark Sep 09, 2018 04:25pm
First time I heard his name. Sometimes people compare themselves to greats for quick fame but mostly it doesn't work. As far as I remember, the great AR never compared himself to anyone. Also, I don't think anyone in this generation can be compared to him.....
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Ajay Ladkani Sep 09, 2018 04:56pm
Bagga to A R Rehman is What Shabbir Kumar is to great Md Rafi.
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BS Sep 09, 2018 05:35pm
So Youtube Hits is now the parameter of greatness?
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Alien1 Sep 09, 2018 05:47pm
Strange, this guy compares himself with AR Rahman, never heard of this guy.
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Satya Jeet Sep 09, 2018 07:25pm
This Bagga is NO AR Rahman. He does not even know the difference between Professional/Commercial Ratings and View Count on You tube. How many Albums/Records has this Bagga sold - compared to AR Rahman? How many International Awards has this Bagga won - compared to AR Rahman?
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fairplay Sep 09, 2018 07:33pm
No need for comparisons.
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Pure ind Sep 09, 2018 09:00pm
Bagga who???
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N abidai Sep 09, 2018 09:14pm
As a singer Sahir is a more powerful singer ,in pak he is a very highly respected composer, in India they do not give composer status to pak singer and composers! There is a underlying agendas ! A R Rehman , total respect to him as well!
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Tughral Khan Sep 09, 2018 10:56pm
Never heard of bagga. The only reason he might have more views is because of his collabs with artists like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and others. AR Rehman is a world-renowned.
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Najum Sep 09, 2018 11:33pm
Never heard of this guy. Who is he?
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Nithin Sep 09, 2018 11:38pm
He is the biggest Narcissist I've ever seen.. Who is this Buggy guy.. Since when Did number of you tube views become a parameter?? Really??? You tube views?? Pathetic... India's bugga is Rahman.. lol.... So What all International Awards does tis guy have?? 2 Oscars?? Or Golden Globe or BAFTA?? Oh wait he might have tonnes of those poor Imitations of IIFA and Filmfare what are those.. Bath soap awards yeah Lux style.. Rofl..
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Nithin Sep 10, 2018 12:06am
Tis excerpt from Wikipedia will be of some help "A. R. Rahman's works are noted for integrating Indian classical music with electronic music, world music and traditional orchestral arrangements. Among his awards are six National Film Awards, two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, fifteen Filmfare Awards and seventeen Filmfare Awards South. He has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, in 2010 by the Government of India.[1] In 2009, Rahman was included on the Time 100 list of the world's most influential people.[2] The UK-based world-music magazine Songlines named him one of "Tomorrow's World Music Icons" in August 2011."
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Full of ego Sep 10, 2018 01:35am
Has he also got an Oscar like AR Rehman? Has he also won the Grammy award like AR Rehman? Has he also won MTV Asia award multiple times? Has he also given hits in 4 different languages? Has he also won the equivalent of Filmfare award in Pakistan more than 15 times? Has he also won the Pakistani national award half a dozen times? What a bizarre comparison?
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Irfan Ul huq Sep 10, 2018 01:42am
He is delusional
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hasan arif Sep 10, 2018 02:48am
Self praising kills. AR Rehman is one and only in subcontinent. No one presently can touch his stardom, you can work as his assistant
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Shahzad Sep 10, 2018 05:00am
Joke of the century.
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Waheed Noor Sep 10, 2018 06:02am
OK. Next stop Bollywood. AR Rehman must be quaking in his boots.
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BK Sep 10, 2018 06:04am
ARR is a humble and talented person who hardly even talks. This other person seems an exact opposite!
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Ateeqa Rehman Sep 10, 2018 06:35am
U r a good musician but if there is a person who is rulling the world of music from the last 26 years in asia specifically its undoubtedly AR because of his unique sensibilities of creating new sounds,instruments.He is matchless not only in music but as a person.i have never seen such a humble and graceful person like him ever.
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Assad Sep 10, 2018 07:17am
@Ahmed Why what's the joke? He is an amazing composer.
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abdul.rashid Sep 10, 2018 07:38am
Another wanna be music director from Pakistan trying to make his presence felt by invoking AR Rehman.
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Dev Baisoya Sep 10, 2018 08:02am
A R Rehman is very very modest unlike the man in this article
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Faisal Sep 10, 2018 08:07am
YouTube video views dont make you a great composer. Stay humble Bhagga.
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Shahed Sep 10, 2018 08:18am
NO BODY CAN BE COMPARED TO A R RAHMAN!
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Nusrat Sep 10, 2018 10:10am
He is really talented... ...
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Nusrat Sep 10, 2018 10:15am
To all those Indian... if you dont know "Sahir Ali Bagga" ... then what are you doing on this page?????? go and listen to your AR Rehman.... and let us enjoy Sahir and Aima 's latest song....
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Aranya Sep 10, 2018 10:44am
@Nusrat yes. We honestly don't. We came on the page just seeing rahmans name and who is this dudewho needed to be claiming Rahman to be india's bagga to get some limelight
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gopal Sep 10, 2018 06:21pm
I have never heard of this man. He is too much top heavy.
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shubs Sep 12, 2018 09:26am
Appreciation of music is subjective. I don't think it is fair to compare musicians. A good song to you may be an earache to me. That said, just a small glance at Rahman's discography (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._R._Rahman_discography) is intimidating! The man didn't come into the limelight yesterday. His body of work spans decades. It shows his ability to span genres and generations, his mastery over instruments, arrangements, languages and musical forms - pop, folk, eastern and western classical, is mind boggling. He is not a showman. He does not pander. His creations don't just follow the latest hits of the day...and you can scan his work going back to the early 1990s, and it's true for every musical generation. He didn't run behind global appreciation - the world reached out to him. There is a LOT to admire, and be awestruck by when it comes to A R Rahman. One should not be flippant when comparing oneself with such masters. Such a body of work is not built in a day.
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M. Kamran Sep 13, 2018 09:42am
Never heard of him. Who are you even? same as Mr A.R.Rehman? And everyone lies on your face, in your studio; except you. that totally makes sense to me.
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Danish Sep 13, 2018 10:39am
There are two types of musicians in this world. A R Rahman and other. Period Bagga is a good composer but he has bluffed too much in emotions.
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