How are star kids of the Punjabi music industry handling the pressure?

Manpriya Singh 

Back in the mid nineties, the barometer didn’t exist in terms of million views in record hours. But Daler Mehndi’s debut album Bolo Ta Ra Ra sold 20 million copies.  If someone were to do the conversion today in terms of number of views, one can only guess! And the quantification better be wild, for that’s a song that back in the day made every youngster in the nation put their hands and index fingers up in true-blue bhangra style.  That’s success.  

Last week, popular singer Harbhajan Mann’s son Avkash Mann debuted in the Punjabi music industry with Tere Vaaste.  In a week’s time, the video has managed seven million views.  Not a patch compared to the online popularity we are now used to seeing! That’s comparison and that’s unfair.  Which is what prompted Harbhajan Mann to say for the record, “Forget the Harbhajan Mann with thirty-forty years of experience! His journey was very different and it’s a good thing that you don’t get to see me in my son. He is doing something different and that’s good no.” Harbhajan Mann had added, “You must have noticed, all my music has been with T-series while his is with VYRL.”  

Big shoes

Laughs Yuvraj Hans, who too felt the pressure and responsibility that the name of his legendary father, Hans Raj Hans, brought along when he debuted with the nine-song album, Yuvraj, in 2013. “They either have very high expectations if you are from an illustrious family or they are waiting for you to fall - let’s see what he does. He must have had it easy!” 

While Yuvraj charted his own journey by being an actor-turned-singer, first tasting success with his debut film Yaar Anmulle and doing the whole solo album and playback singing thing, his brother Navraj Hans has made a name for himself in Mumbai since a past few years now.  

Total pressure 

Daler Mehndi’s son Gurdeep Mehndi  (it won’t be easy to shake off that introduction for him) debuted with the Punjabi song titled Saheli in 2014, which also featured Bohemia. While shooting for the video at a Chandigarh hotel, he had spoken about how his father hadn’t even heard the song. “Only my mother has heard it.” Signifying the pressure that a famous father brings; not just by virtue of his status but by virtue of his own self!  When we called up the son, it was a busy day for him; several hours in the studio, followed by a flight that had to be immediately taken.  But we wonder how long it will take before his father’s name can be just an extended introduction for the Mehndi junior.  

Seeking blessings

Sarang Sikander, son of famous singer Sardool Sikander, tasted a hint of unexpected success as a background vocalist for the song Yaar Jigree Kasooti Degree, which came out last year.  But when he casually debuts with a single all due for a release sometime this year, he knows, things won’t be easy and comparisons won’t be just.  “They’ll search a Sardool Sikander with 35 years of riyaaz in a 26-27 year old like me. But I am ready.  The only way out for us is to do something different and then carve a name among this generation.”   

As for the legacy, “Oh we are carrying it forward, by not doing anything that can bring embarrassment to his name in any way,” adds Yuvraj. By that he points, to the heady days in Punjabi pop music; guns, goons, violence, double meanings all lead to popularity and who knows this better than the Punjabi music industry!  

It’s a blessing

My father, Daler Mehndi, is legendary and it’ll be impossible to outdo him. But why do I want to surpass a legend? It’s how you choose to look at it? There was a time I felt bad with all the pressure, but it’s a blessing to be his son and, thankfully, I am busy doing what I love most; music. I am busy with singing and into live shows that are doing really well, surprisingly at places like Maharashtra and Gujarat.   

— Gurdeep Mehndi