‘I USED TO SING WHILE I DROVE CABS IN AUSTRALIA’

Singer Harrdy Sandhu, the voice behind hits Backbone and Soch, recalls his days as a budding cricketer, and his decision to become a musician, which was his second career choice

Punjabi singer Harrdy Sandhu has made a name for himself in the music industry with hits such as Soch and Backbone, but becoming a singer wasn’t his first choice. The 31-year-old wanted to be a professional cricketer and even represented India at the Under-19 level and has played with the likes of cricketers Ishant Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara and Shikhar Dhawan.

However, a severe injury lead to Harrdy choosing a different career path. Though he doesn’t have any regrets about becoming a singer, it took him a year to switch professions. “It was a long process. After the injury, I went to Australia on a student visa. I used to think that if I don’t recover from the injury, I don’t want to waste time. I used to drive a taxi there, and I used to sing while driving. During that time IPL had started, and players who were my juniors were playing in that tournament. I felt really bad that I was so close, but I just couldn’t be there. So, I got back, and showed myself to a physio, and got fit again. I was selected for the Ranji tournament as well, but two days before the match, I developed pain in the same area again. That’s when I thought to myself that I could sing as well. I went to my chachaji, who taught me music for a few years and that’s how I became a singer,” he says.

Harrdy, who released his single Yaar Ni Mileya in September, is “extremely grateful” for the love that he has received ever since he has become a musician. “It’s honestly been great. I mean, I wasn’t so clued into my fans and social media. But I have been active on it for the last one and a half years. Being on social media has made me realise the number of fans I have, and how excited they are about my music. I make it a point to interact with them, not because I feel that I might ignore them, but I just feel the love, and I want to reciprocate it on the same level,” he says.

I was selected for the Ranji tournament as well, but two days before the match, I developed pain in the same area again. That’s when I thought to myself that I could sing as well. I went to my chachaji, who taught me music for a few years and that’s how I became a singer HARRDY SANDHU, SINGER

PHOTO: AMAL KS /HT