ARJUN OWES HIS CAREER TO ASHAJI

Singer Arjun Kanungo (left), who arrived on the pop music scene with the 2015 chartbuster single Baaki Baatein Peene Baad says that it is only because of legendary singer Asha Bhosle (right) that he took to singing.

“I’m a self-taught person. I learnt to play the guitar on my known. I remember Ashaji was looking for a guitarist for her band and I had gone for its auditions. She asked me to sing impromptu and her first reaction was, ‘You’re not only a guitarist but also a singer.’ That’s where it all started”, says the 28-year-old.

Not many people know that Arjun’s first break was the song Khoon Choos Le in the film Go Goa Gone (2013) followed by Learn to Adjust in Mai (2013) and Tum Chal Diye in Pizza (2014). On the debate about musicians never being given enough credit for a film’s success, Arjun says, “This needs to change. In the pop scene, it has changed a lot. But lately, certain Indian music labels have released non-film music videos online, in which big actors lip sync the song, and the singer is nowhere to be seen. Why can’t they just feature the singer opposite the actor? In this way, equal exposure can be given to both of them.”

His music videos have featured popular actors such as Sonam Kapoor and Sonal Chauhan. Does he feel insecure that his hard work might get overshadowed by the presence of such celebrities? “If the story in the music video demands a star, only then I take one,” says Arjun. “Right now, Sonam is one of the biggest stars in the country. I am nowhere close to these actors, who appear in my videos. My career has just begun and I love to work with them. Also, if my product is good, then why should I be worried?” asks the singer.

Certain Indian music labels have released non-film music videos online, in which big actors lip sync the song, and the singer is nowhere to be seen ARJUN KANUNGO, SINGER

PHOTOS: PRAMOD THAKUR/HT