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‘LOSER IS ONE WHO LEAVES THE RACE’
Singer Navraj Hans — son of popular singer Hans Raj Hans — says he had to struggle to get his first break, but was determined not to give up
Mujhe koi singer hi nahi manta tha. In school, I was taken out of the group that sang the national anthem NAVRAJ HANS, SINGER-ACTOR
From when people doubted that he could sing to now having recorded a track for an Amitabh Bachchan starrer, Navraj Hans (right) has proven his worth and how! “Mujhe koi singer hi nahi manta tha. In school, I was taken out of the group that sang the national anthem. It took me long to get my first break,” recalls the son of popular singer Hans Raj Hans.
Navraj, however, never lost his confidence. The singer, who crooned Raj Karega Khalsa for the film A Flying Jatt (2016; starring Tiger Shroff and Jacqueline Fernandez) and Rail Gaddi for Prabhudheva’s Tutak Tutak Tutiya (2016), feels honoured to have bagged the opportunity to sing for the third instalment of Sarkar franchise. “I was so happy to sing for Amitabh Bachchan,” says Navraj, who says his voice can suit anyone. “I’m a versatile singer. That’s how I’ve been trained.” He has also sung for actor Arjun Kapoor in the upcoming film, Mubarakaan.
Navraj’s goal is to continue his father’s legacy. “He is my idol, my guru. Some people do compare us as they don’t see that I just have six-seven years of experience. That puts a bit of pressure on me, but I sing to impress my father,” says the singer, whose journey has been “full of ups and downs”.
Recalling the initial phase, he says: “My business partner Puneet Singh, who is like my brother, got me to Mumbai. He believed that I had talent to become a national singer from a regional singer.” But here’s what happened when he went to Mumbai. “People would come and tell me, ‘Aap toh Punjabi artist ho, Bombay mein kya kar rahe ho? But luck was on my side and exactly a week after this comment, I got A Flying Jatt, and then Rail Gaddi happened,” he says, adding, “A loser is one who leaves the race. It’s important to believe in yourself.”
Having also acted in Punjabi films, is Navraj now eyeing Bollywood? “Only if the script and role are good. I don’t want to take on a film just to get that stamp of Bollywood,” he says.