Himesh Reshammiya kept his word and I crooned Balma for Khiladi 786 - Sreeram Chandra

How did you discover your inclination towards singing?


My mom is from Prakasam and my dad hails from Srikakulam.Though I used to come down to Visakhapatnam a lot, I did my schooling and college in Hyderabad. I discovered my singing when I was in sixth standard. I never got a chance to learn classical music or for that matter, any music when I was in school. I wanted to learn it badly, but I didn't know where and who to learn from.

My parents don't have a music background, so nobody could guide me. I used to just randomly learn songs and try to come up with my own tunes. One of my aunt's husband was a singer, he also had a band. His daughter and I used to sing for his shows. That's how I started singing, with him on stage. After I finished my junior college, I went on to do engineering and that's when I actually had a say on my career choice. With the help of a friend, I joined a music college, when I was 17. I was glad and I really liked the classes, so I continued for the next five-and-a-half years, while doing my engineering course simultaneously.
 
How did you start playback singing?

During college, I took part in some regional TV shows and competitions, where people started liking me. I began getting opportunities through some directors who had watched these shows on TV. Director Chandu, who was then doing two movies — Notebook and Tenth Class — saw me singing Prema Entha Madhurama, composed by Balu Sir. He liked my voice and wanted me to sing a song in one of his films. He introduced me to music director Mickey J Meyar and I went on to sing for Notebook. This is where it all started.
Music director Lalith Suresh too saw me on TV and called me. I took part in one of the competitions held by Shekhar Kammula and Radhakrishna. I participated in three to four competitions then, some of which I also won. But I never actually could concentrate on music, because I was also studying. My dad and mom told me to complete my studies first and then do what I want. So, I completed my engineering, and then I started thinking of taking up music professionally.

How did Bollywood happen?

I would have fit into South music industry, because I hail from here. But Bollywood was always on my mind and I wanted to give it a shot. It began with Indian Idol. I was lucky and, yes, talented enough to get a chance to take part in it. The audience liked my songs, they voted for me and I went on to win that show. Bollywood started from there. It started with a contract with Yash Raj Films, according to which as the winner, I was to sing a song in one of their upcoming movies. That song happened to be Isq Risk from Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. Ali Abbas Zafar, the director of the film and Sohail Singh, the music director, liked me and gave me another song, Madhubala. This duo marked my entry into Bollywood. Later, I also took part in another national show — Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star.

Himesh Reshammiya happened to be the guest in the finals. I was among the top two. He heard me and announced on stage, 'I really like this guy's voice, and I am going to give him a blockbuster hit song, in a year from now'. He. That was my first hit song in Hindi. I am told this song got more than one crore hits on YouTube! That was when I could actually tell myself, 'Okay, now I am in Bollywood'. After Balma, I got to sing some really good songs, one of them being Subanallah from Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, for Pritam. He is one of the leading music directors in Bollywood and singing for him is every singer's dream. Balma was an item song and was totally for the masses, but with Subanallah, Pritam made my voice sound classy and melodious.

Isn't Bollywood music scene too competitive?

Yes, there is too much competition.To survive in Bollywood is very difficult, especially if you are from a reality TV background.We see very less reality show winners crack it in Bollywood.And with a lot of Pakistani singers coming into Bollywood, there is more competition. Also,now 75% of the music composers are singing themselves, so there's even less scope for singers.

How did the acting bug bite you?

Acting happened to me. I did not go asking for it. After Indian Idol, I was approached with acting offers. I heard around nine scripts. But I was certain that if I do act, I wanted a good production house, good director, and clarity about what I was required to do. I heard several scripts, but was too busy singing songs to take up anything. I didn't want to put my music career on hold for acting, because I had just begun getting good singing offers. So, I took some time, thought over.

Article : Times Of India