Sukhwinder Singh opens up about working with AR Rahman, singing for Shah Rukh Khan

Renowned playback singer Sukhwinder Singh recently opened up about his long-standing collaborations with two of India’s biggest names in the entertainment industry: composer AR Rahman and actor Shah Rukh Khan. In a candid conversation, Singh shared insights into his journey and how he built meaningful connections with both legends.
Recalling his first encounter with Rahman, Singh told Bollywood Bubble, “When I met Rahman, he asked me to sing something. I sang a Punjabi song Thaya Thaya. He loved it, he asked me to sing more. I said I needed a harmonium to continue, he gave me his father’s harmonium. Because most of the work was electronic then, musicians had to be soulful. We need to add our hearts to singing no matter what. So, if you see AR Rahman’s songs he uses electronic music but it touches straight to our hearts. After I sang the song to him, he sent the song to Mani Ratnam. Mani Ratnam narrated the song to Gulzar. I recorded the song the next day with Gulzar sahab, he kissed me on my forehead.”
Singh’s journey with Rahman has led to some of the most iconic songs in Indian cinema, showcasing his ability to blend soul into electronic compositions, a signature aspect of Rahman’s music.
The singer also reflected on his relationship with Shah Rukh Khan, an actor often associated with Singh’s voice. He shared, “I have sung for a lot of actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman, Ranbir Kapoor, Ranbir Singh, and more. But they never bring themselves on the screen. The director assigns them a particular character, I associate myself with that character when I sing. But yes, many associate me with Shah Rukh Khan. The reason being the first artist for whom I sang on screen was him. I did a couple of songs where Khan was the actor. Songs like Chakde India, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Udi Udi Jaaye, Om Shanti Om were completely different.”
Sukhwinder Singh’s voice has left an indelible mark on Bollywood, and his collaborations with both AR Rahman and Shah Rukh Khan have resulted in timeless songs that continue to resonate with audiences across generations.