Entertainment / Interview: Navin Kundra

Interview: Navin Kundra

Entertainment Mar 23, 2015

by Vallisa Chauhan

Singer/Songwriter Navin Kundra Talks

I recently got to sit and have a chat with UK-based singer/songwriter Navin Kundra, who writes, composes and performs songs in Hindi, Punjabi and English.

We are only in the third month of 2015, and you have already had a fantastic year. How does that feel?

Great. I have been busy working but not putting as much music out. It was daring at the same time, as both "Dangerous" and "Jind" were different genres. I am glad people liked the versatility.

"Dangerous" was a very upbeat, clubby type of track. Did you already know this was what you wanted to release around the end of the year?

I heard the beat a while back but my producer said I couldn’t have it, as it was Tinie Tempah. When the contracts didn’t work, we then put the track together and I wanted to release it in the summer, but the video took a little while.

Who thought of the concept?

Originally me, I wanted a narrative. I took it to Ashur of Phatline Productions and he worked with me to make my vision into a reality. We had a few obstacles along the way, but I believe that nothing is impossible.

You have been trying out different types of genres. Do you feel there is one genre that suits your voice better?

Good question. I am most comfortable behind the mic and songs such as "Tere Liye" and "Jind" allow me to do that. However, I love preforming and seeing reactions in the crowd, which I get from songs like "Mehbooba" and "Dangerous." The only problem with performing a dance record is you cannot always sing live, and I believe in singing live.

People still remember you as the "Tere Liye" guy. Does that hinder you, considering you have done so much since then?

No. I am pleased that I had a song so early on in my career that defined and cemented who I was in people’s minds. If they didn’t have that, then what would they refer to me as?

How do you feel about the aunties that see you and faint? A lot of artists don’t get that pleasure.

That blows my mind. When I look at demographics at shows, social media and YouTube, it is breathtaking to see the age ranges. I have people that are still in single figures to people in their 40s or 50s. You are right. Not all singers can say they have that, and so it’s a warm feeling. My music can be played in a household where it will appeal to all, and that is always what I have aimed to achieve. I do not only have Desi fans, either. There are a lot of non-Desis out there who love my music.

Right. Let's get on to the latest release, "Jind." Tell us about the track and what it means to you.

It’s the rawest expression of love there can be. It was based on a personal story of true love. There comes a time in every man’s life where they realize they have met the one, and now that you have got there, it's about making that girl realize how much she means to you.

Did it work?

She said yes.

Wow! So a "congratulations" is in order?

No. It was actually a friend of mine who came to me and said, "I am thinking of proposing to my girlfriend." And he read the words to me and I put them into a song and when he played it to her, she said yes. I then got to sing the track live at their wedding, which was a magical moment. It was like a real-life fairy-tale.

How has the reaction to "Jind" been, and is it what you expected?

I tend not to have expectations. That way, I can do what I want to do creatively and wait to see how it is accepted. "Jind" was real, and when it was put out, it was not altered. It was in its raw form, which doesn’t happen often. It was different from everything that is being played on the radio at the moment that has beat and is up-tempo. "Jind" is the opposite, and people have messaged me to say they have used it to propose, for their first dance, and have asked for special dedicated versions.

What was the idea behind the video? Because not only are you showing off your chest, but also, there are three of you — any girl's dream.

Well, the thing is there was only two shirts and the other Navins stole them, so I had to go shirtless. [laughs] Seriously, the song is very exposed in lyrics and vocals, and I wanted that to be reflected in the video. I wanted Ramzi in the video, but dates didn’t match, and then my manager said, "Why don’t you play three roles?" And I loved the idea. We took it to the director. He said it could work, and that’s what we went with. I also am truly grateful for my cello player, who flew in from India just to be in the video.

What are you working towards now? Is there another release in the process?

I am finishing off a single, which is going to be a different departure in terms of style from anything anyone has heard from me before. In fact, you have heard the track, so you can vouch for that.

I can indeed. Audiences are going to hear something unexpected.

I have a collab with Rishi Rich, which is a lot like "Tere Liye," called "Jaan Lo," which I am very excited about. There is some fusion music with a band that collaborates musicians from India, Cuba and Bengal, and we have created an album, which should be interesting. There are also a lot more collabs on their way, as I really want to work with other artists as well.

Well, thank you for talking to us, Navin.

Thank you.

^{_{Feature Image courtesy of: facebook.com/navinkundra

Picture 1 – urbanasian.com

Picture 2 – blogger's own

Picture 3 – Twitter.com

Picute 4 – wikipedia.com/navinkundra}}

Vallisa Chauhan

Author

Vallisa Chauhan (@vallisachauhan) presents the Flagship breakfast show on Lyca Radio 1458. She has scripted and produced a full feature film called "Those 4 Walls" and is currently working on other projects. She loves travel and movies and tries to fit in both as much as she can.

COMMENTS

JoSH The BaND: LIVE!

The 57th Annual Grammys Wrap!

Riyaaz Qawwali: Musical, Spiritual & Cultural Pluralism

Chat With Roach Killa

NBA All-Star Weekend

Man Of The Match: Virat Kohli

Bollywood Movies Watch List For March 2015

Sanjay Hinduja & Anu Mahtani's Big Fat Indian Wedding

Interview With The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel's Tina Desai

Come Into The LIGHT

Archana Kochhar's First North American Fashion Show At ANOKHI12

Get Reel Digital: February 2015 Must-Watch List

Oscars 2015: A Bland Night Full of Politics & Surprises

Belinda Carlisle Admits To Being A Fan Of Salman Khan

Manj Musik, Vinay Virmani & Danish Anwar Join ANOKHI12 Celebrity Roster

India's Struggle With Love

Priyanka Chopra To Star In ABC Pilot Series Quantico

ANOKHI12: Rishi Rich, DJ Rekha, Karen David, Zameer Rizvi & Ali Hassan To Attend

Kids' Reads: Jewel Kats

Review: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

March's Must See Hollywood Movies

India's Daughter: The Aftermath

Get Reel Digital: April Must-Watch List

April 2015 Must-See Hollywood Movies

Top 3 Bollywood Flicks To Watch In April 2015

Can We Trust Outside Perspectives?

Brit Indie Flick Amar Akbar & Tony's Premiere

Shah Rukh Khan & Zayn Malik Honoured At The Asian Awards

HOT DOCS 2015: 'Made In India' Programme

Master-D Signs To Universal

Bolly Movies To Watch In May 2015

Film Review: Traceable

Warraich Grill Naach Meri Jaan Toronto Finals

Celebrity Advertisements That Provoked

Interview: Navin Kundra

by Vallisa Chauhan

Singer/Songwriter Navin Kundra Talks

Vallisa Chauhan

COMMENTS

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE