Badshah interview

Mumbai: Punjabi rapper Badshah, is the new rage in B-town with back to back hits, Saturday Saturday' for Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya' and Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai' for the upcoming, Khoobsurat'. While the party number is getting rave reviews, telling us about how it came together he says, "Producer Rhea Kapoor and, the production house briefed me that they need party number. Being a Disney movie the song had to appeal to people of all ages. It was amazing shooting with Sonam Kapoor and Fawad Khan. The number was choreographed by Feroz Khan who is amazingly creative in his ideas."

Incidentally fans of Badshah's rival Honey Singh (with whom he has collaborated in the past) have been pointing out similarities between the song and Honey's past work. "I don't know why these comparisons are being made but my fans know the truth. The song maybe equipped on his lines but it isn't a copy. We are both into Hip hop music and rapping which is a sport, it's all about challenging the other guy, so the comparisons natural, I think."

It was the song Saturday Saturday' that got Badshah into the spotlight after it become a rage among Bollywood fans. Telling us about it he says, "I had come up with the number in 2012. It was my first independent production and Deep Bakshi had sung it. The song with Sony music, and the director of Humpty Sharma...Shahank Khaitan, asked Sony for it, so that worked out well."

He goes on to admit that being based in Punjab he had some misconceptions about Mumbai and the way Bollywood functions but he's glad those were unfounded. "Being from up north, I had some misconceptions, ironically when I landed in Mumbai logon se apne yahan se zyada pyaar mila. I performed with Varun Dhawan at Royalty and the creation from the audience was amazing. As long as I make good music, don't compromise with my work. Don't make fake songs; I'm confident about being loved by fans."

So who does Badshah aspire to work with next? "I would love to work with John Abraham next, simply because my wife is a huge fan. Then of course, Varun Dhawan with whom I enjoyed working with in the past."

Telling us about what makes Punajbi artistes such hits in Bollywood the rapper says, "Punjabi songs have a certain vibe and Punjabis are always in a celebratory mood, so that manages to get the crowd grooving."