He became a star overnight after appearing in a reality show. Though Darshan Raval did not win the show, his mesmerising performances and strikingly good looks earned him a huge fan following which has only grown bigger and bigger with time. He made his Bollywood debut with a song picturised on Salman Khan. After delivering two chartbusters in Bollywood recently, Darshan is in news for his new single ‘Do Din’. Here are excerpts from an interview.
How did the idea for ‘Do Din’ come to you?
Sony Music had arranged a music camp. We were in this beautiful house where I met Eric Lavander, who has produced this song. Also present was Kunaal Verma who has written some beautiful lines for it. All of us were jamming and trying to create something. We discussed how everybody is making something sad or intense tracks these days. We decided to make a happy song. We came up with the line ‘tumse miley do din huye, phir kyon lage na dil’. Although the song is called ‘Do Din’, it was made in just a day. A lot of preparation went into making the video. Shiamak Davar’s team got on board. They were very co-operative and helped me learn the dance steps. Divya Palat has directed the video.
Divya Palat has several music videos in the past. How was it collaborating with her?
It was amazing. It is my first music video directed by a female director. She was full of energy. During the shoot, she kept telling me to smile all the time. I had a great time working with her.
You have composed the song yourself. Would you like to compose for Hindi films?
I have composed for a couple of Gujarati films. Given an opportunity, I would love to compose for a Bollywood film.
I have seen your earlier videos. In almost all your videos, you have been presented very well. Would you like to act in a film someday?
I just want to focus on singing at the moment. My fans want me to see act, so I act in music videos. But, I do not want to get into films right now.
Your songs “Kamariya” from ‘Mitron’ and “Chogada” from ‘LoveYatri’ have become huge hits. Both the songs have a distinctive Gujarati flavour to them. Was that the reason you were brought in board for these tracks?
Chetas and Lijo, who have composed both the songs, are very good friends and know my vocal texture. Both the songs have a mix of Hindi and Gujarati lyrics and they thought I will be able to do justice to the songs as a vocalist.
You started out with a reality show. Do you think reality shows provide a good platform for young people to showcase their talent?
It definitely turned out to be a life-changing opportunity for me because everybody started recognizing me and my voice after watching me in that show. I met Himesh (Reshammiya) ji through that show and he gave me my first break in ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’.
Today, multiple singers are tried for a song. How do you look at this trend?
I think it is fine to try multiple singers for a song. I am a composer myself. If I compose a song, ask a singer to sing it and I feel his voice does not suit it, I will get another singer to dub it. You have tp keep several factors in mind while composing for a film. You have to keep the situation in mind, you have to think which voice will suit the actor. If any music director calls me to sing a song and replaces my voice with that of another singer later, I would be okay with it. Initially, when something like this had happened to me, I was very hurt but now when I understand the reasons behind it, I do not think it is a wrongful practice.
Gujarati cinema is growing at a rapid pace. Do you want to do something Gujarati music eraches
I am already doing it. I have sung and composed for Gujarati films and songs like “Kamariya” and “Chogada” which have a strong Gujarati flavour to them have reached out to people living abroad as well. I am definitely contributing towards taking the industry forward.
Is there a song you wish you had sung?
‘Channa Mereya’. It is a beautiful song. Any singer would have loved to sing it.
Do you think digitalisation of music has helped young artistes?
Yes absolutely! I started out with fifteen subscribers on YouTube and now, I have 1.2 million subscribers. When I opened my Instagram account, I forced some of my friends to follow me and now, I have 1.7 million followers. Earlier, artistes had to look for ways to reach out to the right people or to find a platform. Now, you can create a platform for yourself on the internet. People can put their work on their social media accounts or YouTube channels and directly connect with the audience.
What are you doing next?
I am working on an independent song. It might come out this year or early next year. I have sung for a couple of films but unless those films come out, I would not be able to speak about them.