Talktime | Darshan raval

He shot to fame in the singing reality show India’s Raw Star when he was just 19. Today at 23, his latest independent song Shab TumHo with close to 15 million views is making waves as did his last song with 50 million. He talks to SHALINI SAKSENAabout how he got his first break in Bollywood and his love for music

Your first independent song had 50 million views and second 15 million. Tell us about the songs and how managed to get such massive numbers?

As for the numbers, I have to thank my fans who have been kind enough to listen to both the songs. The first song Tera Zikr was in collaboration with Sony Music. When the song came out it became very popular. At the same time, I was making Shab Tum Ho but it was not written. I made my manager Naushad Khan hear it. He loved it and advised me to get Sayeed Quadri sahab to write the lyrics. That is how the second song took shape. Then Sony Music and Indie Music Label came on board and released the song. Within a week, we got 15 million views.

Are you a singer, composer, model, actor or a guitarist?

I am definitely not a model. I am a singer-composer-song writer. I also play the guitar. By virtue of being a singer, I act in my own music videos, the rest follows.

How did your interest in music develop even though you had no musical connection?

That is correct. No one in my family is connected to music, though my father is a writer. I feel that music connects with my soul. That is what I love about it. When I do music I feel good. Music has no boundaries. That is the reason why people love it — it has no boundaries. When I was in gurukul, I used to listen to them play music in the evening. That is how I got interested.

Why quit engineering if you wanted to pursue music?

I didn’t quit engineering but I was not a very good student. So I turned to music and continued to pursue my passion.

How did you get your break in Bollywood after India’s Raw Star?

After the show, I called Himesh Reshammiya; it was a 10-15 second call. He asked me ‘Darshan kaun’. I introduced myself. He asked me to come for the recording the next day.

Was it that easy?

That was just a break into the industry. The recording had to follow where I had to give my 100 per cent. Reshammiyaji had promised me to give me a song during the reality show.

Why are there very few original compositions?

I don’t believe in just independent music. I believe in music and also want to do a lot of independent music. Bollywood has its charm, it has a huge reach. There should be no categorisation when it comes to art. There is nothing above music. As a child, I was inspired by artists like Lucky Ali and Kailash Kher. That was the era when songs survived for 10-15 years. My aim is that people should remember my songs forever.

Does your band DipZip still exist?

Our three-member band was disbanded after India’s Raw Star. It was mutual and we decided to follow our own paths. I still meet them and talk about those days but I don’t waste time thinking why the good old days have passed. For me, the most important thing in my career is the journey. I don’t work for destiny but for the journey. I live my day to the fullest.

Do you recollect your first studio recording?

Yes. I was in Class VIII then. When I first stood there, I couldn’t sing; I froze. At that time, I was told that I had a lot of hard work in front of me. Not very encouraging words to a young boy. But I decided to not give up. Today, I have my own studio.

Is there a comfort zone or a genre that you like?

I would say that my genre space is love ballad. But I also like to experiment and do a different kind of music and genres.

You mentioned that you would want to do more independent music. Does this mean you will do less of Bollywood?

Not at all. I have a lot of time when it comes to music. I am doing a lot of Bollywood project. At the same time, I do independent music. Usually, the minute I get up, I am in my studio and am there unless I have to go out. The more serious compositions come when I work late at night.

What more from you this year?

I will be doing Bollywood. Then there are a few independent music videos that will be out. Not all will be love ballads; it will be a mix of songs.