MUMBAI: Singer Sukhwinder Singh says he never intends to compete with other playback singers and that he has few lifetime friends from the film industry.

‘I have never felt any competition and insecurity with my contemporaries. I always intend to work on my singing, my practice, and my voice. It takes so much energy and I feel connected to myself and the Almighty that I really do not look outside,’ Sukhwinder said in an interview.

Having made his mark in the Bollywood playback singing world with the iconic Chaiyya Chaiyya in 1999, the singer has spent more than two decades delivering popular songs like Ishq Bina, Ramta Jogi, Rut Aa Gayi Re, Haule Haule, Gajanana, Fashion Ka Jalwa, Chak De India, Udi Udi Jaaye, Sultan, and Fateh.

Asked if real friendship exists in the industry, Sukhwinder said, ‘Yes, I have friends here, and we can find friends everywhere depending on what we expect from the next person. I have learnt one thing that there are various people in the industry and it is not important to befriend everyone or to like everyone, but do not bad mouth those people.’

Sharing his emotional bonding with lyricist Gulzar and filmmaker–composer Vishal Bhardwaj, he said, ‘Don't look at the age difference, but the relationship I share with them is special. They are my friends for life.’

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Sukhwinder has lent his voice for songs in upcoming films like Thugs of Hindostan, Zero, Batti Gul Meter Chalu, and Pataakha.

Talking about how Bhardwaj’s Pataakha came his way, Sukhwinder said, ‘I called him saying, “I so wish to have good coffee with you as it has been some time.” We caught up over coffee, and a few days later, he called me to his studio, and on that day, we actually recorded three songs.’

‘For the third song, we decided to do it later, but I finished that too on that day. I think connection happens; the moment comes and that is when we create magic. The fact is whether it is the magic of friendship or music, it cannot be force created and can never be recreated. Magic just happens.’

Apart from music, Sukhwinder enjoys his newfound interest in yoga.

‘Though I have always practiced my singing from childhood, I feel that practising Yoga has given me a good energy that has added to my singing,’ he said.

Sukhwinder has also sung for Abhishek Chaubey’s Sonchiriya, for which Bhardwaj has composed the music.