Rapper Badshah says it would be “very interesting” to see a rap battle between actors Ranveer Singh and Varun Dhawan.
In the year gone by, Badshah has delivered hit tracks such as ‘Kar gayi chull’ (Kapoor & Sons, 2016) and ‘Kala chashma’ (Baar Baar Dekho; 2016), among others. HT Cafe talks to the rapper, whose latest composition, the recreation of ‘Humma humma’ (Bombay; 1995) is also a chartbuster. Excerpts:
How different is writing for a rap number?
I think it’s not much of a difference. Main kisi bhi gaane ko rap song ki tarah consider karta hoon (I treat any song like a rap song). The content has to be catchy, easy and witty. There’s more content in rap that you can put out.
Would you ever write romantic numbers?
I write shayaris. But it stays in my phone.
Why don’t you put that out?
I will probably, someday.
So, that’s a different side of you?
This is a different side. A lot of people say that they love it. A writer loves to write, and will write about everything. Whatever new language I learn; I will try to write in that. I began liking Urdu. Jo urdu bolte hai, mujhe unke bolne ka lehja bohot sahi lagta hai (I like the way people speak Urdu). Urdu sounds like malmal (muslin). It is smooth. Usmain gaali bhi do, woh bhi achi lagegi (laughs). (Even if you use cuss words in Urdu, it won’t sound offensive).
Which actor would you like to sing for?
I’d like to sing for everyone. I am being greedy, but honest.
Would you like to collaborate with an actor?
May be Ranveer (Singh) and Varun (Dhawan). That will be cool. I’d like to see a rap battle between Ranveer and Varun. That would be interesting.
What’s more challenging — composing film music or independent music?
Bollywood has been kind to me. Whatever I’ve composed has been accepted. There is a lot of hard work. People take rappers for granted. But look at the number of hit (rap) songs that came out last year.
Who do you consider competition?
I think myself. A clichéd statement, but true, or that kid in school, who sits on the last bench, writing rhymes and making music, because he has nothing to lose. That kid is my competition. Because mujhe pata hai woh aag laga sakta hai, kyuki main wohi tha, ek waqt. (That kid can create wonders, because that was me, at one point).