I have my whole life to do Bollywood: Arjun Kanungo

Arjun Kanungo’s new duet with Momina Mustehsan, Aaya Na Tu, broke the internet as soon as it went live. But when Salman Khan tweeted his support saying, ‘Check this song by Arjun Kanungo called ‘Aaya na tu’. Best of Luck (sic),’  it sent netizens into a tizzy and the views of the song spiked and how. Arjun is mindful that it was the Dabangg actor’s words that helped the single grab more attention. “It is because of him that the song tipped over and became a national hit,” says the Khoon Choos Le (Go Goa Gone) singer, “It would’ve never reached so many people without him.”

An Emotional Project

As we speak, the break-up song has hit a 25-million mark on YouTube. For the track, he has collaborated with the young singer-songwriter Momina who’s famed for Awari (Ek Villain) and Afreen Afreen with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Arjun says about her, “Momina has the perfect voice and looks for the video. She is an easy-going person, even to work with. We have become good friends.” The singer adds that it was an emotional project for her because this is her first single. The song is also melancholic unlike his previous party number like Gallan Tipsiyan or La La La, his collaboration with Neha Kakkar. Arjun says that he drew from personal experiences in his life. “It’s emotional to go into these spaces and sometimes even painful,” he says.

Return Of Non-Film Songs

Though he debuted as a vocalist in Bollywood with Go Goa Gone (2013), Arjun has had few film songs compared to alternative music. He explains, “My focus for the last three years has been non-film music. I saw that singles were returning in a big way after a lull of about 10 years till Honey Singh brought it back in 2010. And I was one of the few people at the time who believed that Pop music will be mainstream, like it is now. We have big stars coming from non-film music.” He adds, “It will only get bigger. I have my whole life to do Bollywood music and when the time is right, I will adjust my focus.”

Facing The Camera

While singing for films is not in the scheme of things for Arjun, being in front of the camera is. The Baaki Baatein Peene Baad hitmaker has a small role in a movie that will release in August or September. “I finished shooting for it in April. I am also acting in a web series, which is already on floors,” he says without divulging more details. On the music front, he is working on his next single that comes out in September. “I’m still considering whether this should be a collaboration,” says Arjun, who is currently digging music by Garry Sandhu, Pav Dharia and Ammy Virk.