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‘HARD WORK ALWAYS FINDS A WAY’
Vickey Prasad, composer of three songs in Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, talks about his struggle and big break
Vickey Prasad, who hails from Buxar, Bihar, started singing from the age of three. He then started writing poetry. In 2001, while in class eight, he felt that he wanted to listen to some new music and started composing his own music and singing. Soon, he was playing the flute and recording his music, though on a Walkman. In 2010, he moved to Delhi to study sound engineering, and two years later, shifted to Mumbai to look for work. Five years down the line his lucky break came in the form of the Akshay Kumar-starrer Toilet: Ek Prem Katha.
film earlier, how did you get such a big movie?
I think a lot of things worked in harmony. It is surely a combination of hard work, perseverance, a very good mentor, a director having faith in young talent, and luck itself. In August 2016 I was about to visit my home for Raksha Bandhan. For my visit, it was crucial that I got my dues from my previous project. But, that got delayed, and I had to stay back in Mumbai. In October, my mentor, actor Manoj Rajdutt asked me to meet a film director for a potentially big opportunity. Shree sir, director of the film, Toilet – Ek Prem Katha, gave me some base lyrics to work with, and that was the beginning of this incredible journey.
Are you getting more offers now?
Right now, it’s important for me that people like the music of Toilet – Ek Prem Katha. Quality matters a lot to me, regardless of the size of the project. ‘Toilet ka jugaad’, ‘Hans mat pagli’ and ‘Bakheda’ have been well-received and that gives me motivation. I am already working on another film named Exchange Of Var, and there are a few other projects lined up as well.
You used to write poems since an early age. But, how did music direction come about?
I was three when I sang Kishore Kumar’s ‘Chalte chalte’ at a farewell party for a teacher, who gave me `5 for the performance. I loved listening to music cassettes. I used to listen to all the latest songs to the extent that I got bored of them. So, one day, I took out my poetry book, and started my first attempt to put music into a poem. I sang the song again and again that day. The next morning, to my dismay, I could not recollect the tune I had composed the day before. I had to do something about this problem. I knew to play the ‘sargam’ on the flute, and started writing my compositions in ‘sargam’ with the help of my flute. That was my first recording apparatus — my poetry book, my flute and a notebook.
You have worked at a fast food chain as well in Mumbai during your struggling days.
Getting a project was difficult in Mumbai, and my financial condition did not allow me to continue. I thought I would get any job to sustain myself and then gradually again start pursuing my dream. KFC is where that job was, and with no disrespect to all who work there, the job was not meant for me. I worked eight to nine hours a day facing customers. This was really tough for me. I quit my job and promised myself that every penny I earn, I will earn by the way of doing what I do best – music.
Has life changed now?
I have seen my fair share of ups and downs. In 2013, it was four years since I had met my mother and my family. Two meals a day was a luxury. Even my deposit for the rented house was over. I made a decision to go home for a month, stay with my family and hopefully come back refreshed and ready to begin anew. There is nothing quite like the moral support of your family to boost your confidence. I returned to Mumbai and continued with renewed optimism. Toilet – Ek Prem Katha was a turning point in my life. So, definitely, life has changed for the better.
With talks about nepotism in Bollywood, you are an example of how good talent gets recognition.
Yes, of course. If I can make it, I see no reason why other talented people can’t do the same. Talent and hard work always find a way.