The Curious Case Of Honey Singh

Reports of singer Honey Singh allegedly  perpetrating domestic violence against his  wife triggered  off  memories of a  time when Honey Singh  would call me  up  almost every day.

Honey Singh was  respectful, caring and  generous. When my daughter and nephew wanted to see   one of his concerts, he  not  only made sure they were comfortable  he insisted on meeting them backstage  after  the concert,

My daughter was  impressed. “I can’t believe  he wrote those filthy songs  about women .He is so  gracious in person!”

I told her he denies writing  those dirty songs, that they were all written by  his enemies who used his name to  tarnish him. That  got me  a huge  heckling laughter  from my daughter.

I’ve heard  the songs. They  are  filthy. They talk  about unmentionable  acts  of  violence  against women. Whoever  wrote and  sang them  has a lot to be answerable for. And now I hear Honey Singh’s wife accuses  him of domestic violence.  I remember Shalini. She  would answer his  phone  after he  became  ill with a  bipolar disorder….at least that is what  I was told.

And  I had no reason to not believe Shalini  when she  said he was ill,  he  was recovering, he would soon be  doing the  Lungi Dance again. She really stood by him through his  darkest days. I hope Honey Singh hasn’t forgetten  that.

Honey Singh went underground  for a few years. I never heard from him again. But I remember  my last  interview with  Yo Yo(he insisted  I call him that) where he  spoke on being hounded  and persecuted by his enemies.

Honey Singh was  filled with  self-defensive  vibes.“ See, until 2012 I was working at my own pace, enjoying myself as I composed and sang. But then suddenly people started feeling threatened by me. All those ugly controversies, allegations and court cases broke out .I suddenly grew defiant. I had to prove to my well-wishers who were pelting  stones that Yo Yo Honey Singh is here to stay. It felt like my haters knew something that I didn’t.”

I asked  Honey Singh what that  was. “That I am a force to be crushed before I grew any larger. I have to thank all the naysayers for making me sit up and revaluate my music.I realized I was under-estimating myself. When I came out of the court  cases and abuse I was stronger.I realized that my haters  got wind of my potential long before I did. Maine decide kiya, ab kisika baap bhi mujhe nahin rok sakta. Bollywood had no place for me. Log kehte yeh  kahan se aa gaya. Now I am in demand for songs in as many Bollywood films as I can manage, and much more.

Honey Singh was  not happy with only the popularity  Bollywood had  brought to him.  “I wouldn’t say that Bollywood has not contributed to my popularity. The songs that I’ve composed  for films have played a big hand in my popularity.However my one dream is to establish myself as a formidable figure in the independent music scene, a genre that doesn’t exist in India. Just consider 2013 as my teaser-trailer year.Abhi toh picture baqi hai. I want to make my haters heads spin with what I do this year.”

Then the lights  dimmed. Honey Singh vanished. He  is  now  back. But it’s not the same anymore.