Adnan shrank, but not career

When Adnan Sami walked into HPS on Saturday, he looked nothing like his oversized and ever-smiling avatar from 15 years ago.

With his third wife Roya Faryabi holding him tight, the drastically reduced singer was performing at the school’s 90th anniversary celebration concert. From joking about his impressive weight loss (over 100 kilos) to getting teary-eyed while sharing that it was his late father’s last wish to see him fit and healthy, Adnan had the audience captivated. He even got Cyberabad Commissioner C.V. Anand to do his signature Lift Kara De step.

We caught up with Adnan for a chat after his performance and he began by announcing his acting debut in Bollywood. “I've been receiving a lot of offers ever since I lost weight, but I signed a film only recently,” he said, before adding, “I can’t disclose anything else right now.”

What made him decide to debut on big screen? “It’s good to try new things. I’ve never planned anything in my life. Fifteen years ago when I came to Mumbai with a suitcase, I had no idea that the city would become my home but here I am,” Adnan said.

And like most singers who turn into actors, Adnan too will compose the music for his debut film. Although he clarified, “I’m the music director for this one but I don’t know if that’s always going to be the case. It is not necessary that I have to compose music for the films that I act in.”

Speaking about his music, his popular song Lift Kara De was recently given a whole new meaning when Hindi film actor Shah Rukh Khan mentioned it in reference to the Tarun Tejpal fiasco. “I understand that it was said in good humour but I never imagined that my song would get such a meaning. I do think it was unnecessary but then it was a joke…,” he shrugged when asked if he was offended. 

Calling himself a ‘musical gypsy’, Adnan finally feels at home in Mumbai after travelling the globe. “Earlier, the maximum I lived in any country was three years. But now, Mumbai is home for me.”

Adnan has sung a lot of songs for the Telugu films as well. “It is a greater achievement for me because I have sung in a language that is not my mother tongue,” the singer remarked. Now that he has forayed into acting, will Tollywood be far behind? “Why not?” said Adnan, adding, “If I get any offers, I’ll be glad to work here as well.”

He may not have had the time to meet his friends from the industry on the short trip this time, but the Pakistani singer never leaves without his Hyderabadi favourites, biryani and haleem. “I love the biryani and haleem here. Every time someone comes to Hyderabad, I ask them to get me some biryani,” Adnan shared.

Given all the problems of the past year, what does he look forward to in 2014? “I believe that nobody has a smooth sail. Everyone goes through ups and downs but I also believe in positivity. So, I’m going to walk into 2014 with the same hope and positive attitude,” he asserted.