The familiar strains of Salma's first major hit, "Dil Ke Armaan Aansuon Mein Bah Gaye," greeted me, albeit in a newer and more energetic remixed format. It was evident that time had brought about changes in everything. The house attendant guided me into the hall and helped me settle on a comfortable sofa. While I took in the charm of the surroundings, adorned with an impressive display of framed photographs featuring Salma alongside various celebrities, the diva herself made her entrance. Even in a simple salwar-kameez attire and devoid of makeup, she carried an undeniable aura. Salma was refreshingly informal, friendly, and devoid of any airs, making the interview an absolute delight. Here are some excerpts from our exclusive conversation.
Your mother played a pivotal role as your mentor. Can you share some insights about her?
Q:
A: Actually, even before singing those pop cover versions, I released my debut album titled "Jalwa-E-Ghazal." It was composed by my mother, and I even wrote one of the songs on that album. The compositions in those albums were quite challenging, following the classical ghazal style. I was only 16 years old at the time.
You've explored both Indian and Western songs in your career. How did you manage to delve into both musical styles?
Q:
A: My entry into the Hindi film industry came about through my music. I had traveled from London to Mumbai to record a song for a film called "Chanakya Chandragupt," with Naushad Sahab as the music director. Unfortunately, the film was ultimately shelved. However, during that time, Raj Kapoor Sahab, who happened to be a distant cousin of my mother