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Karan Aujla embarks on his first arena tour in India with It Was All A Dream, offering fans a deeply personal, high-energy celebration of Punjabi culture. In an exclusive interview, he reflects on his journey from Ghurala to global stardom, his dedication to representing Punjabi…Read More
Punjabi music icon Karan Aujla gears up for his It Was All A Dream arena tour in India, blending cultural pride with high-energy performances.
As Karan Aujla gears up for his first arena tour in India with the much-anticipated It Was All A Dream world tour, he’s ready to bring more than just a lineup of hits to his homeland. Known for his unique ability to blend traditional Punjabi sounds with a modern edge, Karan promises fans an experience that goes beyond music—one that’s deeply personal, packed with high-energy, and full of cultural pride. In this exclusive interview with News 18 Showsha, he opens up about the excitement of performing on home turf, his journey from a young lyricist in Ghurala to a global icon, and the profound responsibility he feels as a representative of Punjabi music worldwide.
But don’t expect a standard concert experience. With Aujla’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of Punjabi music, fans are in for a night that celebrates the raw, unfiltered journey of a kid with a dream, transformed into one of the most resonant voices in the industry. From his creative partnership with producer Ikky to his recent Bollywood debut alongside Vicky Kaushal, Karan’s story is as layered and dynamic as his music. Get ready to dive into our exclusive conversation that spans his musical evolution, his cultural roots, and his vision for taking Punjabi music to new heights on the global stage.
Here are the excerpts:
Q: Your upcoming It Was All A Dream world tour is generating a lot of buzz, especially in India. What can fans expect from your first arena tour in India?
Karan Aujla: All of my biggest hits and one of my best live performances! My team and I have been rehearsing non-stop because performing for the homeland comes with a different level of responsibility. They deserve nothing but the best, so we’re pushing the boundaries of what a Punjabi music concert could look like. This isn’t just another show – it’s a celebration of our shared journey.
Q: How does it feel to bring your music back to India, especially with such a massive tour across multiple cities?
Karan Aujla: Returning to perform in India holds a deeply personal meaning for me because this is the culture and people who shaped my music. When people sing along to my lyrics in Punjabi, it feels like they’re not just singing the words, they’re living them. They understand every reference, every emotion, and every story behind the songs. This kind of connection is something you can’t replicate anywhere else in the world.
Q: What made you choose the name It Was All A Dream for the tour, and how does it reflect your journey so far?
Karan Aujla: ‘It Was All A Dream’ is more than just a tour name – it reflects my entire journey from those early days in Ghurala, where I’d write lyrics in my notebook and dream big, to now finally leaving a little bit of my legacy in every corner of the world. It’s humbling to think about how far a boy who lost everything resurrected himself and came back stronger.
Q: Can you tell us more about what it’s like working with Ikky on this tour, and how his influence shapes the live performances?
Karan Aujla: IKKY and I have a chemistry that’s hard to explain – it goes beyond just producer and artist. He understands my vision completely and knows exactly how to elevate each track for the live setting. We’ve spent countless hours in the studio reworking the songs specifically for this tour, adding new elements while keeping the raw energy that people love.
Q: Given the scale of this tour, how do you plan to balance the energy of intimate performances with the grandeur of arena shows?
Karan Aujla: Whether it’s a small venue or a massive arena, my focus is always on creating that personal connection. It’s important to me that even in the biggest venues, every fan feels like they’re part of something special. That’s why we mix up the setlist with both the hard-hitting tracks and the more personal ones. At the end of the day, it’s about making every show feel like we’re all just hanging out together, no matter the size of the crowd.
Q: Your collaboration with Vicky Kaushal for Tauba Tauba has become a huge hit, marking your debut in Bollywood. How did this collaboration come about, and how was the experience? Tell me an interesting story from the process of creating it.
Karan Aujla: The collaboration with Vicky Kaushal for ‘Tauba Tauba’ was quite organic. Working with him felt natural because he understands Punjabi culture and music so well. During the shoot, there was this funny moment where we were trying to nail the hook step, and Vicky kept adding his own style to it. He’s such a humble guy – between takes, we’d discuss our passions and life lessons. We actually wrapped up the whole shoot ahead of schedule because the energy was just right. This project was special because it helped bridge the gap between independent Punjabi music and Bollywood while staying true to my style.
Q: You’ve transitioned from writing for others to becoming a global Punjabi music icon. What have been some of the most significant challenges and milestones in this journey?
Karan Aujla: Going from writing in my notebook after losing my parents to becoming an artist wasn’t easy. Started with writing ‘Range’ for Deep Jandu, then took a big risk performing ‘Don’t Look’. I was nervous about my voice, but the love from fans changed everything. My biggest achievement isn’t the streams or success of BTFU – it’s being able to share our Punjabi culture with the world while staying true to my roots.
Q: Your album Making Memories achieved incredible success globally. How do you approach blending traditional Punjabi sounds with contemporary music to appeal to both regional and international audiences?
Karan Aujla: With ‘Making Memories,’ we kept it real – sticking to our Punjabi roots while experimenting with modern sounds. Like I’ve always said, whether it’s a club banger or a romantic track, the soul has to be Punjabi. Working with Proof and my team, we focused on keeping those traditional instruments like dhol and tumbi but gave them a fresh twist. The lyrics had to tell our stories in our way, even if we were aiming for global reach. At the end of the day, authenticity is what connects with people, whether they’re in Moga or Melbourne.
Q: Your work has earned you a global fanbase, including winning the JUNO Fan Choice Award. How important is it for you to represent Punjabi culture on such a large stage?
Karan Aujla: The JUNO win wasn’t just my victory – it was a win for Punjab and a tribute to my parents and lineage. Growing up in Ghurala, I never imagined our music would reach this far. When I perform in foreign countries and see kids who don’t even understand Punjabi singing along to my lyrics, it shows that honest music has no language barrier. As long as we stay true to our roots while pushing boundaries, Punjabi music will keep growing globally.
Q: How do you maintain a connection with your roots in Punjab while living and working in Canada, and how does this dual cultural identity influence your music?
Karan Aujla: My heart still beats in Ghurala even though I live and work overseas. Every time I write in my studio, those memories of Punjab – my pind, my childhood, my struggles – they all come flooding back. That’s what makes my music authentic. When I go back home, I still sit with my old friends, eat at the same dhabas, and that keeps me grounded. Canada has given me opportunities, but Punjab gave me my identity. Whether I’m making music overseas or visiting my village, I’m still that same kid who wrote songs in his notebook, just trying to make his parents proud.
Q: You’ve been dubbed as a global ambassador for Punjabi music. What responsibility do you feel comes with this title, especially as Punjabi music becomes more mainstream worldwide?
Karan Aujla: Being called a global ambassador is a huge responsibility. My job isn’t just about making hits – it’s about showing the world what Punjabi culture truly is. When I write lyrics or produce a track, I make sure it stays authentic to our roots while speaking to the younger generation. Whether I’m performing in the US or UK or UAE, I keep that pure Punjabi essence alive. Our music isn’t just about bhangra beats anymore – it’s about telling our stories to the world.
Q: Your songs have a unique blend of storytelling, often drawing from personal experiences. How do you decide which stories to tell through your music?
Karan Aujla: I write what I live and feel. Like I’ve mentioned before, whether it’s about struggles, success, or relationships – if I haven’t experienced it, I won’t write about it. That’s why songs like ‘17’ or ‘Hint’ connect with people – they come from real emotions, real situations. When I sit in my studio in Ghurala or anywhere else, I’m just telling my story, and I think that honesty is what people relate to. No fake lifestyle, no made-up stories – just pure feelings turned into lyrics.
Q: With such a successful career already, what’s next for you? Are there any new genres or projects you’re eager to explore?
Karan Aujla: I am working on a new album and exploring global collaborations. A lot of new projects are coming up, stay tuned for the same!
Q: The rise of the Punjabi music wave has been significant in recent years. Where do you see this trend heading, and what role do you hope to play in it?
Karan Aujla: In the coming years, I see Punjabi music becoming even more global, but without losing its essence. When I write in my studio or collaborate with international artists, I always make sure we keep that authentic Punjabi vibe. That’s why I mix modern sounds with traditional instruments like tumbi and algoza. As for my role – I want to keep being that bridge between our traditional sound and modern production, just focusing on making honest music that tells our stories.