Subhash K Jha

Last week Adnan Sami cancelled his much-hyped recording with Bappi Lahiri and Jaya Prada for Jaya Prada's film.

"I was down with a viral infection. I hoped to ecover enough by next day in order to be able to record the song for Bappi-da. I wasn't even aware that Jaya Prada was going to sing with us. That came a pleasant last-minute surprise," says Adnan, his throat sounding not-so-fine.

However when the song was finally recorded Adnan couldn't get to sing with Jaya Prada. "She recorded for the song a day earlier (on Tuesday). So I wasn't really able to sing with her. But we'll be heard together when the song is released, thanks to the marvels of technology."

Finally the song was recorded on March 22. Adnan sounds quite taken up with idea of working with Bappi. "I grew up listening to Bappi-da's tracks. And to now have the opportunity to sing one of his tracks, and that too with him, is like... wow!

I had a blast working with Bappi-da. Although he's a veteran he's very chilled and focused. He knows what he wants, and doesn't waste time in getting it. I was also delighted to see Bappi-da was open to improvisations. Since that's how I like to work I was quite comfortable with the experience."

Equally wow is Nana Patekar. "I love the way he has emoted to my number Meter down in Taxi No. 9211. I mean, the man is a rock star. Like Bappia Lahiri he's another memory from my younger days. I remember Nana as the scowling gangster in Parinda.

And here he was giving shape to my voice in such a chilled way...Wow! You know it's so important for songs to get a catchy visual interpretation. Earlier people used to listen to songs. Now they see them. Hats off to Nana for Meter Down."

Adnan is now ready to move into his new home. "It's almost ready. And I should be in it by the end of this month. I got Shakti Parmar to do up the place. I hope my new home will reflect some of my personality. Then maybe I could shoot my next music video for my new private album in my new home."

And yes, Adnan has a gym in his new home at Oberoi Sky Gardens Andheri. "I do hope to use it regularly, not so much to lose weight as is repeatedly reported in some sections of the press.

But to stay healthy. I'm not keen on losing an X number of kilos. But I do want to stay healthy," says the singer who's started work on his new non-film album.

"It will be a new Adnan Sami, I promise you. And no my meters are certainly not down."