Well-known singer Sukhwinder, who has sung Jai ho from the film Slumdog, feels that Jai ho's popularity and victory is blessed by lord Shiva because it's not a song but a prayer to the almighty.
Today when the whole country is celebrating Slumdog's historic Oscar win, Sukhwinder is busy with his Mahashivratri pooja. He feels that it s time to remember the almighty who has bestowed good luck to him. Speaking exclusively to NDTVMusic.com he says,"Today is Mahashivratri and it s lord Shiva who blessed me and the whole team of A R Rahman to get this international honour. Jai ho is not just a song. It connects me spiritually to the Almighty. It has spiritual connection. I was confident that the song will win Oscar because you know the Oscar award ceremony has taken place on this spiritual day of Mahashivratri. " Recalling one of his previous songs Chhaiya Chhaiya from the film Dil Se, he says "Chhaiyan Chhaiyan got international acclaim because it was blessed by Baba Bulleshah. I have a lot of faith in him. And now it's Jai Ho, which has Shiva's blessings." Asked if he is disappointed for not being present at the Oscar Award ceremony, he says, "No, I am not disappointed because Jai Ho has achieved what we expected and the international glory has come to the country. I don't regret it in terms of my personal loss for not performing at the Oscars but yes I feel that had I performed there, it would have a matter of pride for our own countrymen. Indian music has already a had magical effect at the Oscars." Sharing the reasons behind missing the opportunity to be present at the Oscars, Sukhwinder said, "I was supposed to get a performance visa from Fox but they botched up and it delayed. Anyway this is not something bothering me much. I am very happy and satisfied that lord Shiva has showed his love and we achieved." On being asked about his association with Rahman, he said, "See, it was destined for me, Rahman and Gulzar ji to come together and script this success. What to talk about Rahman? He is a genius. Rahi baat Gulzar sahib ki to unke likhe shabd ki jitni bhi tarrif karon kam hai (As far as Gulzar is concerned, you can never find enough words to praise him). I was really thrilled when I heard words like Zariwale Aasman. He is excellent. So the combination has done what it was destined to do." ndtv.com
