Mutating Ninja

Jasmine Singh

What do we know and what have we learnt! Firstly, his name is Ninja, but this isn’t his real name. He is a Punjabi singer who has created uproar in the industry. Secondly, he has too many ‘I will disclose later’ tags in his conversation. Thirdly, despite many undisclosed facets about him, Ninja is likeable as he talks everything else about him threadbare, take it or leave, he has left the option open.

The 130 kg boy from Ludhiana, who would hardly raise his head from the pile of books in a small library that he was managing, is now the Ninja with a fan following that runs into lakhs, sans the 130 kg.

Laughs Ninja, “This was the time when I was assisting my father at a small café he was running in Ludhiana. I would sing at school competition but everything changed when I met Umesh Ji,” shares Ninja, who rose to fame with his song, Pinda Wale Jatt. Ninja, who by the way would be revealing his real name for his fans soon, calls meeting his best man ‘Umesh’ as a huge turning point.

“The first thing that he asked me was to work on myself, which involved losing weight, gym classes, dance and performance classes. It was only when I was completely prepared he launched me.” Ninja has recently released a track and is working on his album, which will have all kinds of songs.

Toss up the word competition, and it fails to create an impact. “I have struggled hard to reach where I am today, I also see so many other singers my age singing, but I maintain strongly that there is no substitute to hard work. The one song wonder cannot go for long. I am in competition with myself,” adds the singer who turned down at least six Punjabi films.

Here comes a confession. “Look, I am not a superstar, a great actor, so if I am approached with a role that fulfills my criteria, I would do it.”

He admires Kuldeep Manak and loves Jazzy B’s jazzy style, which is pretty evident from the way he looks. “It is not about a happening hair style, it is about the overall look and personality of an artist, something my fans also expect from me,” adds Ninja, who closely safeguards his real name. “I will do at the right time, and also the story behind the name Ninja, pretty soon.”

[email protected]