A fresh approach

Jasmine Singh

He is trying to possibly live the most difficult reality, to surrender, in every possible way. No tall claims, no dropping names of his illustrious family background, no fighting the situations... Punjabi singer Navraj Hans has held his murshid close and submitted himself to the existence to guide him towards his hearts yearning, which is music.

After singing the high-decibel track, Raaj Kareyga Khalsa, for the Bollywood film Flying Jatt, and with his track Rail Gaddi from Sonu Sood’s upcoming film Tutak Tutak Tutiyan already creating a buzz, Navraj Hans doesn’t cook up fancy reasons for getting noticed in Bollywood music industry. The man knows that nothing is more rewarding than humility, as he shares the arduous ride to Bollywood singing.

How is Bollyood playback singing different from Punjabi?

We do not have playback singing in Punjabi films, all actors are singers, singing even in the films. In Bollywood, people are more focussed, a singer sings, and an actor acts. An actor might sing for fun, but nothing more. Playback singers in Bollywood are treated with a lot of respect.

Was it an easy sail to Bollywood, coming from an illustrious background?

I don’t drop names. I approach music directors as a fresher, like a singer who would want to sing. I have been struggling for almost 7-8 years in Bollywood and after recording almost 200 dummies for various songs, I’ve finally got work.

You are already an established name in Punjab, what is the need to struggle in Bollwyood?

I am a fighter, this is what my guru, my father, Hans Raj Hans, has taught me. He has taught me to be humble, so I don’t feel like a star; neither do I behave like one. I know that I want to sing for the country, I know that I have to go to music directors and ask for work. I know I have to kill the ‘me’ in me to get work, and I am absolutely okay to begin from the zero!

Bollywood has taken a huge liking to Punjabi singers. Right?

Punjabi singers are roped in for songs that require a peculiar kind of voice. For Flying Jatt, music director Sachin ji told me that he was looking for a particular style, and so did Ram Gopal Verma. I fitted the bill so they roped me in. In fact, Gopal ji liked my song so much that he made me sing another song for his second South film.

Is it a goodbye to Punjabi music?

Never, I am here because of the love of my Punjabi fans, had they not liked my songs, I wouldn’t have reached so far. I would always keep singing Punjabi songs, my next track Gaddi is a completely Punjabi desi track.

How does your illustrious background help you in your career, if at all?

I never tell people anything about myself. They discover it themselves later. Two, I think, my background makes me accessible to meet people, but not every meeting translate into work. I am given my work on my merit and this how my father always wanted it to be.

Your inspiration

Hans Raj Hans, Daler Mehdni, Mika and Nusrat Fateh Ali khan. All are artistes worth looking up to.