I don't believe I'm a star- Ayushmann Khurrana

It is not an album, it is just a single. Its one song and its called Oh, Heeriye. Alot of people have been asking me after Paani Da Rang and Saadi Gali that what do you want to do now, but that will happen next year when my film releases, its a Yash Raj Film. So then I thought that I can give them a song without a film as well. Its a trend outside our country to come out with singles. All International artists like Coldplay, John Mayer are coming out with singles. Its for the love of music. You're absolutely right that Indian Market is not good for singles or independent music. Only place where an artist can put his music is online, its digital. But having said that I feel that I am quite fortunate that I gave 2 big songs, Saadi Gali and Paani Da Rang. Aashima Chibber has directed the song and Rhea Chakravorthy is the actor in the video. Its a very sweet, urban, romantic video and it goes with the song. 

I would like to keep it as earthy as possible. I think if you keep your song as earthy or as rooted, it will reach more masses and you have to strike the right balance between earthy and cool. We started a new genre of pop punjabi rock with Paani Da Rang and Saadi Gali. Normally punjabi songs are up tempo, high beat with bhangra beats. So this is something that is very different.

 

I never aspired to be a singer. I always wanted to be an actor. I was always more of an actor than a singer. I used to follow music when I was in school or college, perform and sing for our theatre production. So a riyaaz has been going on for a very long time. Having said that, but I think expectations can kill you, because we always compare the songs. But, that's okay. You should just follow your heart and go with your gut. It gives more credibility to an artist when you can lend your own voice to a character. My forte is acting but I have a texture. I am not a versatile singer but I have a textured voice and I can sing particular genre of songs.   

I have been performing since I was a child and I was made to perform rather as I was and still am a very shy person. My father saw some talent in me and I was made to perform on stage, at parties, at restaurants. Then we used to go for family get togethers. I have also performed during Dusshera. In fact I used to dance like Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand and Govinda. 

Ya. We are childhood friends. We were together in school and college. We used to bunk classes, make songs and create music.  We know each other so well that there is hardly any creative conflict. 

I look up to Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi obviously. Amongst the contemporaries I think Sonu Nigam is brilliant. He is such a sort after singer, he is classically trained and is the best live singer ever.  

I think I am a better singer and he is a better guitarist. 

I don't believe I'm a star first of all. Success is very subjective and relative. I think it is having the right balance between your personal and your professional life. It should be a mix of both.