How was the experience of performing at the wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant?
It was extremely special for me to be performing at the Ambani, Haldi, and Bithi with Ranveer Singh and Hardik Pandya dancing. I really can’t say who was better because both of their energies were firing. They were all over the place in terms of their energy and their vibe. They were the ones who were creating the vibe on stage. Because singers sing better if the audience is enjoying more. And they made us feel that. So, yeah, it was a great experience.
Any interesting anecdote from the wedding that has stayed with you?
The only thing that stayed with me is the simplicity of the Ambani’s in terms of they are the wealthiest people of the Indian subcontinent. But how they stick and they follow the culture to the T and the simplicity amongst their household chores is something which really amazes me. The simplicity of Mukesh Bhai, especially, how simple he is and how well he greets me personally whenever I meet him is something just so spectacular.
How has been your experience of Laughter Chef? What have you learned to cook?
Laughter Chefs is a surprise package for all of us. It was made to be a filler before Khatron Ke Khiladi came, but because the show is doing so well, there has been a 20-episode extension. Honestly, there’s no script to that show. They just start cameras, we start cooking, and everything that comes along with it is absolutely natural. I have learned a lot of things, jalebi, chocolate mouse, noodles, korma, fulka, dal, bhareli mirchka salan, and so many things. My God, I don’t even remember what we’ve cooked. It’s been a great experience. Every time we cook, it is so much fun.
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You haven’t done much playback singing? Any specific reason for that?
Playback singing has not been offered to me. That’s the reason I’ve done less playback singing. I think music directors choose playback singers who are run-of-the-mill playback singers. They always go with the conventional playback singers. I don’t think they experiment too much. Plus, in today’s time, things have become difficult. You need to be really in close proximity to the composer to sing with him. And I don’t do that because I’m busy doing things of my own, creating my own music, doing my TV shows. Already, God has kept me very, very busy. So, there is actually no time to call up music directors and ask for work.
From the time you became reality show stars today, do you think the participants are better placed than those who from your time?
No, I don’t think that participants are better placed now. In fact, today, the memory is very short-lived. We are still remembered even after 20 years, right? Would you remember the people who are contesting now after 20 years? I’m sure not, right? So, I think we were very lucky to be the first movers. We do have the first-move advantage that people really rooted for us. People really celebrated us. So yeah, very lucky people still remember me as the Indian Idol’s Rahul.
You recently became a father. How is Rahul the father feeling?
The most special thing that has happened to me is Rahul, the father. Navya is 10 months old. She has just turned my life around, not only mine, my wife’s, my parents, my sisters, everybody close to me, my friends. I know these are very typical words, but she’s actually that bundle of joy that we wake up to every morning, and we see her go to sleep every night. And again, cannot wait for her to wake up the next day. She wakes up pretty early. She wakes up the whole house with her screeches and screams. Just the most beautiful thing. And I always wanted a baby girl to be my first child, and God has blessed me with that. Can’t thank God enough for that. So I think I’m truly blessed to be known as Navya’s father.
