JDJ3-FC-Discuss Hard Kaur's journey - Page 3

Here's an article I found on HK from Times of India...

Ravneet Kaur in a freewheeling chat with the rapper, who can get dance floors moving from Manchester

Hard Kaur More Pics

to Mumbai...

Welcome to a new place... understand, I am revolution... That's Taran Kaur Dhillon aka Hard Kaur announcing her arrival in her debut album as UK's first Asian rap artist. Currently displaying her moves on Jhalak Dikhla Jaa, India's first female rapper had her Bollywood break with Johnny Gaddar and since then, has sung for movies like Ugly Aur Pagli, Singh is King, Kismat Konnection, Bachna Ae Haseeno and lately Jai Aur Veeru. She also has Ajab Prem ki Gajab Kahani and a Yash Raj production in her kitty.


What's the story behind Hard Kaur ....how did you get this name?

My real name is Taran Kaur. Once outside Panjabi MC studio a group of boys made fun of me and said, "Yeh ladhki kya rap shap karegi?". I rapped and they were amazed —they commented that since I always fight and am 'hard', my name should be Hard Kaur! Slowly, I became popular by this name.

How did the whole rap thing start?

I was in England and fell in love with hip-hop music and started rapping. Earlier, boys made fun of me but when they realised I had talent, things got easier. Rapping is something you can't learn at music school, as it's all about using your creativity and intelligence. It's about people and not about bling-bling. You can't copy it.

How did your family react?

I lost my father when I was just five years old. My mom has always stood by me. When I told her I wanted to be a rapper, she asked me if I could do it, "Dar toh nahi lagega?" I was confident and replied, "Darr kis gal mai jyada ladaki haaa (What's there to fear? I can fight better than them.)" As for my relatives, they were never for it, but now that I'm famous, everything has changed!

It must have been rough going professionally?

I have suffered a lot mentally, emotionally and physically. But, I believe that it's up to us to perceive a situation as good or bad... I'm an optimist and all the challenges that came my way have made me wiser and helped me develop a thick skin! If bad things don't happen, you won't realise the importance of good things in your life and you wouldn't learn either.

If you had started out in India, would you have done as well?

NRIs are preferred here. And, if I had been living in India, I wouldn't be Hard Kaur but a housewife handling four kids. In India, there are false religious issues and traditions which in some way or the other come in the way of success.

You have a bindaas attitude... how has this served you in your career?

The industry can be quite a difficult place. Thanks to my attitude, I have never been a victim of the casting couch. People call me only for work. They know that they dare not try to mess with me. At times, people have the wrong impression about me, but that changes once they meet me.

Tell us about your practice sessions for Jhalak... what are your chances of winning?

Oh, it's really tough... I practice six to eight hours a day. They have set high standards that are really difficult to meet. It's not about winning, or the money. I'm enjoying my performances and learning new things.

What's your favourite dance form and have you had any training?

I haven't had any training, but can shake my leg in clubs and parties. For Jhalak..., the entire credit goes to Savio. I like hip-hop, which I'll be performing in the coming episode and can bet that kisi ka baap bhi try nahi karega (nobody can think of beating me here)!

Who's your favourite participant in Jhalak...?

I have fun with everybody but don't get too involved. Mohinder Amarnath is my favourite; he treats me like a daughter. I also like Bhaichung Bhutia because he is too cute, Monica Bedi since we have the Punjabi accent in common and Ram Kapoor, because he is just like me and he often says 'tu meri female copy hai'.

We've heard that you lost a lot weight for Jhalak... is that true?

Not lot of weight — main itni moti bhi nahi thi! But, yes, I had put on weight after I came back from London. Being a Punjabi, I love food and stuff myself with everything that comes my way, but fish is my all-time favourite. I'm happy that I have lost weight by learning dance and earning as well in the process!

You have a unique dressing style. Who picks your clothes?

I'm stylish and like to dress well. I usually shop abroad and pick up whatever's trendy and stylish. It also depends on my mood. The credit also goes to my designer Shantanu and Nikhil, and Drashta Sarvaiya who supported me since my struggling days.

What do you love about being a celeb?

There was a time when I didn't have money to buy expensive clothes, but now I get beautiful outfits for free! Plus, people love, recognize you...!

Tell us a secret...

I was born in 1984. I've disclosed my age, what can be bigger than this?

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