'There are expectations from me now': playback singer Hrishikesh Chury

For Bollywood playback singer Hrishikesh Chury (Taang Uthaake in Housefull 3), joining Zee TV's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs as the grand jury for the third time is not just about witnessing immense musical talent. It's also the gumption of these young contestants that floors him. 

He says, “Every time, the stories, culture and backgrounds are so varied. It's so heartening to see different kinds of people pursuing singing careers. Some of them have such intense back-stories that it's commendable they still follow their passion. You also learn so much from these contestants and from the inputs given by coaches, feedback by judges, etc. ” The run for him has been so fantastic that he says he will be part of the show every time they approach him. “It has become like family now; it doesn't feel like work,” he states.

The talent hunt reality series is now in its 25th year and Hrishikesh says that being a part of it for the first time was overwhelming. “It's perhaps every singer's dream to be on the show and here I was, joining as the jury. I thought they will have me on board me only briefly but I have continued and it feels wonderful,” he laughs.

Though he debuted with a track in Govinda's Naughty@40, Hrishikesh's breakthrough song in Bollywood was the party anthem Taang Utha Ke, after which he crooned Mehfooz in Tera Intezaar (2017). “The movie wasn't promoted very well. Also, for the last year, I was in a different state of mind and had to take a break because my father was diagnosed with cancer,” he informs us. 

Now that he is back behind the mic, he hopes to have more songs this year. “I have done some really good work of late. I'm excited about the projects but cannot talk about them,” says he. Non-film tracks are not part of the plan as of now. “It takes a lot of time to do an original track and lots of funds to make the video. I want to be financially stable before putting out indie music.”

He is also biding his time because, “There are expectations from me now since I'm the jury of such a big show. don't want to release something just for the sake of it. I believe in doing something only if it will turn out well, otherwise, I'd rather not do it,” he signs off.