“I picked my name from SRK’s hit film Badshah!” the music composer on his best-kept secrets

The DJ Waley Babu singer reveals his love for Kumar Sanu, fried ice cream, and also gives us his real name

Few people know that your real name is Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia. What made you become Badshah?

I was looking for a stage name a few years ago, and the Shah Rukh Khan film Badshah (1999) had become a huge hit. I picked it from there.

Tell us: if not a rapper, what would you have been?

Someone struggling to be a rapper!

What’s the best thing about Bollywood?

The scale of recognition that one gets is amazing.

Name one playback singer who inspires you...

I am a big fan of Kumar Sanu.

Pick a song that best describes your life.

Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya... from Hum Dono (1961).

As a judge on Dil Hai Hindustani, what do you look forward to in a successful singer?

Besides the calibre, I think it’s very important to be able to touch the chords of people’s hearts with your music.

Romantic or realist?

I’m a realist.

Your favourite thing about your hometown Delhi is...?

The street food!

And nows that you live away, what do you miss the most about Delhi?

How do you de-stress?

By simply spending time with my 17-month-old baby girl.

To end on a sweet note, which dessert describes you best?

Fried ice cream. It’s hot from outside, but melting from inside!

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From HT Brunch, August 12, 2018

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