Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; May 31, 2019)

Kapil Sharma’s show is in the news again. And this time around, it has nothing to do with the anchor of the show, but his guests. Last Sunday, lyricist Sameer Anjaan, who was on the show, went on to share how a song that he wrote: ‘Chaar baj gaye lekin party abhi baaki hai’, became the party anthem of the country. He also spoke of how he was inspired by his children when he first wrote this song for the film F.A.L.T.U in 2010. This, however, did not go down well with hip-hop singer and rapper Hard Kaur, who has sung the song. She posted on instagram, “Wah what a f****** lie ???? I would love to know how he wrote '4 baj gaye'. Please tell us the process. #noshame taking my credit & royalties is one thing. Sitting on national TV & talking shit with such pride is just next level low (sic).”

We spoke to Hard Kaur, who is currently in the UK, and she said, “It is rare to find a rapper who will sing songs penned by another person. Most rappers pen their lyrics and sing their own songs. I got an opportunity to sing two songs in F.A.L.T.U in 2010. At that point, music composer duo Sachin-Jigar asked me to write the song and sing it. They promised me to give another opportunity soon in the future and requested me to let go of the credit for it. In a few days, Sachin-Jigar visited me and offered me to use a line for the song. They said, ‘We are giving you one line Party abhi baaki hai… and the rest you pen on your own.’ I then penned the song and also sang it. Now, after nine years, when I heard Sameer taking credit for the song, talking about getting inspired by his children and how they asked him to write something new, I was shocked. How can he do that by just taking his children’s names? Has he ever gone out and checked out in discotheques what songs youngsters like to listen to? Has he ever picked up a CD and listened to rap numbers? And he is claiming that the full song is his on national TV?”

When we contacted Sameer Anjaan, he said, “The song is mine. I don’t want to argue on this anymore.”

Composers Sachin-Jigar react to Hard Kaur’s claim

Composer duo Sachin-Jigar, however, say that it was a collaborative effort. In an exclusive statement to BT, they said, “This happened nine years ago, when we had just started our journey in Bollywood. It was a privilege to work with a rapper like Hard Kaur, and we wanted to work with her on our future projects, too. She is exceptionally talented and when we were working on the song, all of us, including Sameer ji, would jam together. There were some lines that were contributed by all of us in the process and there is no denying the fact that Hard Kaur contributed to the song in a big way. We both believe that the song was a collaborative effort and the best lines were picked and that’s how the song was finally completed.”

Reacting to Sachin-Jigar's statement, Hard Kaur said, “Apart from one line, no one had given any input for the song. It is not really a team effort when I have written it alone.”

Contestants who made it big tell us why it really doesn’t matter if you win or not, it’s the journey that follows that does
Bryan Durham (DNA; January 15, 2017)

At this point in time more than any other, there are singing reality shows galore on TV. So what if you don’t win a reality show! Is that the end of the world for your dreams or your career? Most likely not. Perseverance is the name of the game and those that stuck to their guns made it for the long haul. It’s a well-documented fact that the winners of reality shows have rarely gone on to have wildly (or mildly) successful careers in Bollywood or the independent music scene.

But for the rare exceptions of, let’s say, a Sunidhi Chauhan (Meri Awaz Suno) and a Shreya Ghoshal (Sa Re Ga Ma), most other reality show winners (Abhijeet Sawant of Indian Idol 1, Sreerama Chandra Mynampati of Indian Idol 5, Rituraj Mohanty of India’s Raw Star, for example) seem to have started out well, but are not as well known.

Arijit’s example
It isn’t for lack of trying. Those that struggle incessantly know success to be a fickle friend and it is years of not losing heart, some struggle, hard work and dedication. It’s even harder for those who don’t win. Just ask Arijit Singh. In 2005, he participated in and didn’t even make it to the finals of Fame Gurukul. Today, he is one of Bollywood’s A-List singers. It would take winning another reality show called 10 Ke 10 Le Gaye Dil, a few years assisting and singing for the top composers of Bollywood and consistently shining in films to finally reaching an Aashiqui 2 that took him to the very pinnacle of his profession. Today, everybody knows his name.

‘Reality’ check
Jubin Nautiyal would have a shorter struggle. The Kaabil singer’s career trajectory begins from a show called The X Factor in 2011, where he was eliminated after the Top 25 list was cut short. By 2014, he debuted with Sonali Cable’s Ek Mulaqat. Work with Jeet Gannguli and Mithoon followed, but most of these were one-off hits. It would take Ok Jaanu’s The Humma Song, the Kaabil title track and Bhawara Mann from Jolly LLB in quick succession to see him at the top of his game. When asked about the positives and negatives of being on a reality show, he says, “A reality show is definitely a reality check for an artist, it’s a place where they get to see the real world and competition.” His advice to contestants everywhere? “A reality show should be taken as a platform or a stage where millions will watch you. However, what they are watching and enjoying is your hard work and your journey. So, when the lights are out, what you take back with you is a smile and your talent.”

‘Going through the grind’
Remember Gerua girl Antara Mitra? Well, it’s surprising you didn’t recall her from 2006’s Indian Idol Season 2. She definitely was a popular contestant and a finalist, but she didn’t win. Anu Malik famously offered her a Bollywood break. She was non-committal. It would take another show (called Junoon, which she didn’t win either) before debuting with a track called Loving You alongside Sonu Nigam for a film called Speed as early as 2007. Pritam composed that track and would go on to work with her on several soundtracks, eventually giving her the popular Saree Ke Fall Sa (2013’s R...Rajkumar) and three of her biggest hits Gerua, Manma Emotion Jage and Janam Janam (Dilwale) by 2015 and Jaaneman Aah (Dishoom) last year.

When approached, Mitra admits that a reality show gives one a basic platform, but says that once you leave the show, the struggle begins with a larger group of people. “Trying to tap music directors (to hear you) and getting to even sing a scratch is a fight in its own way! But thankfully, these days music directors are seeking out new voices. What music reality shows do, she says, is increase your chances of getting noticed.You have to go through this grind!”

‘All positives...’
Indian Idol 1’s Rahul Vaidya, who currently has a successful live show career and occasionally releases singles, gives us a more tempered opinion on the matter. He says, “I believe there are no negatives and only positives of appearing on a music reality show. In a place like Mumbai, owning a house or a car or one’s livelihood through live shows would have otherwise been very difficult for small-town guys like me, who come to Mumbai to find a job. Finally, it’s luck and timing above all that puts you with the right people at the right time. Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

‘Always the internet’
And taking that point forward is one of our favourite rappers, Hard Kaur. She does tell us about the rather promising Satinder, who she discovered through YouTube (he appeared on Chhote Ustaad). “I manage Satinder now”, she says, adding, “Although, he was very young (only 11 then), I thought he might get big offers. Nothing actually came of the show for him and he went back to his normal life and was demotivated. He gave up on singing. I searched for him for four years before getting his number and calling him. Now we’ve recorded tracks and may release his first single this year. I guess if it wasn’t for the show, I wouldn’t have discovered him and he’d have given up singing... Then again, there’s always the internet, huh?”

‘Have that spark’
She has a point. One can’t really lose hope. It’s something Indian Idol 3 finalist Meiyang Chang knows first-hand. He tells us, “I can tell you with conviction that it’s about the journey and not the destination. Put your everything into reaching for the stars. If you don’t make it, don’t lose heart. Remember, you were chosen over thousands of hopefuls, so there must be a spark in you. With so many reality shows with regular seasons, there are always more opportunities.”

‘Take failure in your stride’
Nakash Aziz, a popular playback singer today (and an Indian Idol 2 contestant) says, “When I was voted out, I took that failure in my stride and kept working hard to make my mark in Bollywood.”

‘Just work harder’
Nihal Shetty, who appeared on the first season of The Stage, would go on to do backing vocals for Mirzya and Rock On 2 and is steadily inching his way up in Bollywood. The sad part, he says, is that on these shows, “some days, things just don’t work out performance-wise. And it could undo your entire journey that far. But you get past that and work harder.” It’s something nearly almost every contestant who hasn’t won a reality show can relate to.

Other contestants who made it big
Neha Kakkar (Indian Idol 2; Currently, a popular playback and independent singer-songwriter)

Darshan Raval (India’s Raw Star; Currently YouTube phenom, released a few singles and has over 3L followers on FB)

Monali Thakur (Indian Idol 2; Currently, a Bollywood playback singer and actress)

Mohd Irfan (Star Voice Of India; Currently, popular playback singer)

Toshi-Sharib (Star Voice of India and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge; B-Town composers today)

Altamash Faridi (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar; Currently, a playback singer)

As the censorship row over Udta Punjab intensifies, Punjabi artistes admit that the state is reeling under drug menace, how it is affecting the youth and why the issue needs to be addressed
BOMBAY TIMES (June 9, 2016)

It's been over eight years since her debut single Ek Glassy struck the right chord with the audience. And Hard Kaur, who became a household name since, says she's readying for more aces
Noyon Jyoti Parasara (BOMBAY TIMES; November 20, 2015)

Blingy rapper Jazzy B is excited about rolling out Zaalim Dilli from Dilliwaali Zaalim Girlfriend with Hard Kaur and Tigerstyle
Kasmin Fernandes (BOMBAY TIMES; March 27, 2015)

Rapper Hard Kaur is ecstatic about composing Aashiq Mizaaj for The Shaukeens and calls Akki her bada paaji
Kasmin Fernandes (BOMBAY TIMES; November 21, 2014)

Punjabi popstar and the singer of Shaadi Ke Side Effects’ Harry Is Not A Brahmachari, Jazzy B hits up some gupshup, pronouncing his love for Bollywood, his friendship with Honey Singh and reveals why Pritam is the hottest composer on the block
Akshata Shetty (BOMBAY TIMES; March 14, 2014)


How does it feel hitting the charts with a bang with Harry Is Not A Brahmachari?
Harry Is Not A Brahmachari is a peppy number. The lyrics are written the way we speak. Take a look around, nobody speaks in one proper language. We’re always mixing languages. Similarly, the song incorporates comprises the language of the today, which is very street like. It feels good to be singing for Bollywood after this long. I have been busy doing my own thing like my Punjabi concerts and films. I have literally been living on a plane, if you ask me.

And how was it working with Pritam?
Pritam is killing it right now and is very hot at the moment. The experience of working with him is a very chilled-out one. I first got the opportunity to work with him in Rush, where I sang one song. I remember recording the sound of the aljoze (similar to a flute) and the ‘thad’ to add some desi elements. It’s always a pleasure working with him. Pritam knows the pulse of the present generation and so his compositions easily connect with the masses.

A Bollywood masala film feels incomplete without a Punjabi number. What is it about Punjabi music that clicks every time it is played?
A lot of Bollywood films add the Punjabi flavour in their storyline. I believe it’s the flavour in its content that keeps it ‘forever’. It’s very strong. To me, folk music is here to stay and Punjabi folk will never die. We all know music ki koi language nahi hoti.

Yo Yo Honey Singh seems to be the current flavour of Bollywood. He did work with you in the past. What do you have to say about his style of music?
Not many know this... Honey Singh and I are part of a kabbadi team in Punjab. Well, I play in the team and Honey is part of the organising committee. Right now, seeing him work, all I can say is he is ruling the Indian rap scene. Hard Kaur is another artiste who is doing justice to art form. I believe that rap should be original. For me, content is the most important thing when you rap. Honey raps about things he sees around him. Jo ho raha hai, wahi likh raha hai. I talk about different kinds of things, explain it in my way and present it in a different style. I recorded for Honey a few years ago, he came up to me and told me that he wrote a song for me. And also mentioned that he grew up listening to me. We became friends and maybe one day, I get to play with him in a kabaddi match (laughs).

Jazzy B on stage — bling or no bling?
I am always changing. In this industry, it’s all about your image. How you look on stage, how do you present yourself as an artiste... my fans expect a certain image from me. So I make sure I consult people before I go for a certain look.

Current projects?
My concentration is on Bollywood now. So if anyone is interested, hit me up. I am also working on my second Punjabi film Rambo Ranjha, where I am also acting. I have recorded the title track of Zaalim Delhi with Hard Kaur and there’s another single I am recording with Honey Singh. And will be singing a track in a Punjabi film starring Honey Singh.

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; December 31, 2013)

The hospitality industry is clearing feeling the economic pinch. As opposed to the usual brouhaha of stars performing at high-end events, the arrival of 2014 (read: parties) seem to lack the big names from showbiz.
Barring Priyanka Chopra, not a single A-list actor will be seen performing on New Year’s Eve. Not very long ago, names like Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor and Bipasha Basu were much in demand at December 31 bashes. As of today, Kat and Bebo rather prefer to spend time with their respective partners.

So, are the stars not interested in moolah anymore as it’s often said that they tend to pocket quite a lot from shows while they aren’t shooting? Turns out there are many reasons at play.

Veena Vachani, a wedding planner and event manager, says the supply and demand isn’t as big an issue as the price quoted for performances. “Several Bollywood stars have hiked their price up to three times their previous cost and organisers just cannot afford that kind of budgets anymore.” Malaika Arora Khan, who performed at Aamby Valley two years ago, falls in the same category.

Veena adds, “There were enquires from one of my clients, but the kind of money the actors are asking is simply unaffordable. And they don’t want lesser known artistes for New Year’s Eve.” Besides, actors now have other avenues to make money like television shows, award function and endorsements.

A well- placed source says, “The money they earn from other options is much more than these shows. After the Mallika Sherawat controversy when she was slapped with an obscenity case after a year-end show, stars have got a bit wary.” It appears that the stars prefer to be on a holiday with their partners and family rather than perform. There might be a bigger catalyst behind the change though. A Mumbai-based photographer, who has been covering such events, informs, “The fear of backlash from society and moral police may have scared the actors. Otherwise, why would they leave the money, especially actresses, who earn less than their male counterparts?”

An interesting development has taken place with regards to singers as well. The crooning lot doesn’t really have that much work during New Year’s Eve. “Last year, Yo Yo Honey Singh’s show was cancelled after a police case was filed against him for allegedly singing vulgar songs. Tonight, however he has a show lined up. Rapper Hard Kaur will be performing at Rajkot,” says a source.

A person associated with event management tells us on conditions of anonymity that an actor with back- to-back releases is ignoring their company’s request repeatedly. “ We tried getting in touch with him but he’s currently in the US chilling — the same person who was chasing us not too long ago for shows. This is definitely a paradigm shift not only in his but also peers’ attitude towards year- ender shows.”