Nikita Deb (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 3, 2020)

“In life, everything happens in its own time. I came to Mumbai in 2007, and filmmaker Sanjay Gupta gave me a break in his film Shootout At Lokhandwala,” says singer Mika Singh, who believes that the Bollywood music industry is a beautiful place and should not be disrespected.

After the recent vlog that singer Sonu Nigam released, accusing Bhushan Kumar of running a mafia in the music industry, Bollywood stands divided on this front. While some believe favouritism exists, others believe that everything works purely on merit. Singh says that in the recent years, he has seen so many new singers who have made a name for themselves.

“Sonu Nigam is saying he is not getting any songs but there are so many new singers who have gained immense popularity in the industry. There is Arijit Singh, Armaan Malik, now of course, B Praak has made a name for himself. And apart from that, our singers from Punjab are continuing to do excellent work. Ab B Praak toh industry ke kisike bua ka beta nai hai. Bohot logon ka naam ho raha hai and un mein se kaafi logon ko Bhushan Kumar ne hi break diya hai,” says Singh.

And about the constant war that Nigam and Kumar seem to be entangled in, Singh says with a laugh, “Sonu Nigam ji and Bhushan Kumar are like boyfriend girlfriend or husband and wife. Whenever they fight, you should let them be. Sonu Nigam ko banane wale bhi Gulshan Kumar the, so since then, they have a love-hate relationship and we should not get into it.”

While Singh says that Nigam is a legendary singer, he is of the opinion that Nigam is giving out a wrong message to the world about the music industry. “He shouldn’t give a wrong message to the world that Bollywood is ruled by mafias etc. We have got everything from this industry and this city, we must not diss it. Everyone needs a break, and after that, everything is based on talent. Every two years, I see a singer who becomes momentarily popular with millions of views and then disappears. But singers like Udit Narayan, Kumar Sanu and Sonu Nigam have been singing for so many years.,” says Singh.

With Akshay Kumar and Nupur Sanon-starrer Filhaal 2 deferred, B Praak releases audio-only track, Kuch bhi ho jaye, today
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; April 9, 2020)

An overwhelming response to B Praak-composed Akshay Kumar-starrer Filhaal encouraged the musician-actor team to announce a second edition of the single, only a few weeks before the country went into lockdown. The project is one among an array put on the backburner in the wake of the pandemic, with the development sending Praak looking out for other means to entertain his fans. Releasing today, his audio-only song, Kuch bhi ho jaye, is precisely that. "With people being stuck at home, artistes [must find] a way to entertain them. We want to give them something new to listen to. This is a sad song, based on deception," says Praak, who has sung and composed the track that has Jaani take writing credits.

When the country inches back to normalcy, the Teri mitti crooner is set to dive head-first into the shoot of Filhaal 2, also featuring Nupur Sanon, before he gives his undivided attention to his film commitments. "In 2021, there are movies like [Kumar-starrer] Bachchan Pandey, in which I have three songs, and Qismat 2, apart from another venture."

Making the most of the opportunities that the industry has to offer to musicians working in Bollywood as well as in the independent music space, Praak shuns suggestions of his lot not getting a free-hand when working on film music. "There is no pressure. I've never been bound [to create a certain kind of track]. Even for Bachchan Pandey, we would simply be told to create a track for a given situation. In fact, often, and especially when working for the Punjabi film industry, the film is tweaked to accommodate the songs that are created for it."

He is certain that the future of Indian film music will mimic that in Hollywood. "There, singers tie-up with companies, but release songs on their own channels. Here too, the future will be [driven by] independent artistes. People have understood the business, and how they must monetise from streaming apps and other platforms." He doesn't disregard the fact that being in Kumar's good books has afforded him a leeway in Bollywood. "Akshay sir has given me my entry in Bollywood. Due to him, I've got a lot of work."

The actor’s first-ever music video launches today, and has a heart-touching melody
Medha Shri Dahiya (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 9, 2019)

Actor Akshay Kumar seems to have his Midas touch on point with his last few films raking in big moolah at the box office. And, people are already stanning his latest project, music video Filhall, that releases today. We get talking to the actor about why he chose to do it, and if this debut had him nervous:

People generally feature in music videos to get noticed by filmmakers hoping they will bag a film or two. Why did you decide to do a music video, when you are probably the best-selling actor at the box office?
That’s a good question (smiles), I guess it’s living proof that I love my work, no matter how big or small I am or an idea is, I do it because I want to. This melody touched me in unbelievable ways. The lyrics and the treatment were put together so beautifully that there was no way I was going to pass up on this opportunity. I didn’t want to be sitting in my van watching TV one day, wishing I had been a part of something but thinking I was too established to be a part of it. Never; that’s just not me. If something touches our hearts, I think we should all be brave enough to acknowledge it and do something about it...

Since this was your music video debut, any debut jitters?
I wouldn’t really call it jitters but there was a sense of excitement as it’s my first music video. So I wanted to give it my best. Also, there was a sense of déjà vu. The way I’m dressed reminded me of my look in Namastey London, a film which is my forever favourite. Also, we’ve shot bits of Filhall in Punjab, so there were quite a few similarities. Hence, the entire video had this feel-good factor for me.

The song is a heart-wrenching love story. And B Praak would be singing this again for you, after Teri Mitti. Tell us more about the song and your collaboration with B Praak?
B Praak’s voice touches the depths of your soul like very few can. That is what he did in Teri Mitti (the actor’s March release, Kesari) and that is what he has done in Filhall. It moved me…the lyrics, the voice, the music…so much so that I wanted to be a part of it in some way, so here I am, despite being in the industry for so many years, making my music video debut with Filhall.

You don't shy away from working with newcomers, for instance, Nupur Sanon in this video. How is it to work with actors who might not have a lot of experience?
It’s a lot more rewarding. I will never forget the feelings I had and how I was treated when I was a newcomer. So now being the guy that can give a kind of confidence to anyone who has the passion to work in front of the camera can be a life changing experience. Just like no job is too big or too small, neither is an actor’s status to me. Working with Nupur was like a breath of fresh air. She was always eager to give another take, perfect her expressions, and spend time with the crew. Agreed that newcomers lack experience, but they compensate for it with their passion and hunger, so it balances out.

Any learning or special moments after working in the music video space?
This is my first music video and I agreed to be a part of it just because I wanted to, so you can guess that Filhall must be a very special song. After I said ‘yes’ to doing the video, these guys pulled off the production in less than a week. What I learned was that despite many budget constraints, the amount of large-heartedness they brought to the shoot was incredible! Khaira, the director, went out of the way to make it work within my schedule (given that I’m always busy doing something). Jaani, who wrote the song, is all heart and only heart, his life is only driven by emotions and that 100% reflects in his work. This tells you that when you want to do something from all your heart and soul, nothing can stop you.

Are you a romantic person who believes in making grand gestures or is it more like in little things? And now that we are talking about it, what’s the most romantic thing you have ever done?
You know, the strange thing is, when I had less in life, my gestures were big and bold, even scary at times, like getting married, the perfect rock, the big house, the fancy cars, all these things I did for my wife when I had less, which is when it means more....What really matters now, is not how big or grand a gesture can be, at this age there’s nothing more important than time, support, care and effort. It’s not where you go on holidays, it’s your wife seeing you play with your kids...that she takes care of every minute when you’re at work, the attention you give her not in front of the cameras but at the surprise picnics in the garden, the weekend trekking, cycling in the Swiss mountains with the whole family, the secret sushi restaurant eat outs, holding hands in the park, buying books instead of gadgets, rushing home because there’s nowhere else you’d rather be. I don’t even consider myself a romantic, I am just considerate to my loved ones’ needs. I feel a man or woman should love their partner how their partner wants to be loved, not necessarily the way you think love should be, but the way they deserve to be loved, because someone deciding to share their life with you should be cherished every day of the week.

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 11, 2019)

Vicky Kaushal, who has been busy shooting for Shoojit Sircar’s upcoming biopic on freedom fighter Udham Singh, is now ready to feature in a romantic music video. The Bhushan Kumar production will be shot in Shimla over a three-day schedule starting next week. The song is sung by B Praak, who recently rendered the popular number “Teri Mitti” for the Akshay Kumar and Parineeti Chopra-starrer Kesari, and “Ali Ali” from Blank that had Akshay alongside Karan Kapadia, besides giving playback for several Punjabi music videos in the past.

According to a source close to the development, Vicky will be leaving for Shimla early next week for the shoot. “The song is all about love and heartbreak and will see Vicky in different avatars, from a lover boy to a man yearning for his ladylove. He loved the song and the idea that it will have him showcase different shades of his personality,” the source informed, adding that the 31-year-old actor is on a tight schedule but is hoping to get some time off to take in the sights at the hill station after wrapping up the shoot. The actress who will be paired opposite Vicky in the song will be finalised in the next few days.

Meanwhile, Vicky is slated to resume shooting for the Udham Singh biopic next month. On Monday, the actor kicked off promotions for his horror film Bhoot – Part One: The Haunted Ship, which is directed by Bhanu Pratap Singh. He is also scheduled to start filming Karan Johar’s upcoming directorial, the multi-starrer period-drama Takht, in December this year in Mumbai with co-actors Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Bhumi Pednekar, Anil Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor.