He’s 21 and the winner of one of the most famous reality singing shows —Indian Idol (Season 6) — besides having two Bollywood songs in his kitty already. Just three months after winning the title, the singer proudly visits Chandigarh to launch his debut album. What else could have Amritsar boy Vipul Mehta asked for? In a quick chat about his debut album, Hello Namaste Sat Sri Akal, the singer gets candid about the shows gone by and his future projects.
Musical inspiration
Talking about his inspiration, Mehta says, “My father has been my biggest inspiration. He used to sing during his college days and singer Sukhwinder Singh was his junior at the time. He got into business, to run the family, at an early age, and he wanted to me pursue singing. He made me learn classical singing at the age of eight.”
Mehta has been learning classical music for 13 years now.
Debut album
“Even after winning the title, my dream remained unrealised, which is being fulfilled now with the launch of my album. It is a package of seven tracks of different genres—Rowan Mein, Tere Pyar Toh, Pal and two remixes, Dil Kya Kare and Har Kisi Ko Nahi Milta,” says he.
Though Vipul is going gaga over the release of his album, the singer doesn’t mind admitting that Bollywood remains his ultimate goal. “I have grown up always seeing myself as an established playback singer in Bollywood and I’m obviously more inclined towards it.”
The Idol days
Recalling the days at Indian Idol, Vipul shares, “It’s very important to stay ‘mentally stable’ at such shows. If one performance fetches appreciation, you have to be careful not to ruin the following one.”
Prior to Indian Idol, Vipul had also been a part of other reality shows. “In 2004, I participated in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa (children special), where I lost in the finals. Then in 2006, I was amongst the top 14 at Voice of India, followed by being one of the top four at Voice of India in 2008. So, when I auditioned for Indian Idol, I faced a lot of criticism from my hometown. During Indian Idol also, the experience worked against me, as I had to unlearn a few things and start off as a fresher,” he shares.
{{/usCountry}}Prior to Indian Idol, Vipul had also been a part of other reality shows. “In 2004, I participated in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa (children special), where I lost in the finals. Then in 2006, I was amongst the top 14 at Voice of India, followed by being one of the top four at Voice of India in 2008. So, when I auditioned for Indian Idol, I faced a lot of criticism from my hometown. During Indian Idol also, the experience worked against me, as I had to unlearn a few things and start off as a fresher,” he shares.
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“It’s just been three months that I won the competition, and I already have two Bollywood songs in my pocket! One of the songs is with Anu Malik and the other with Salim Sulaiman. I cannot disclose the names of the movies though. Despite
having won the title, I’m still struggling hard to get the Bollywood songs. Indian Idol has given me fame, but I have to grab opportunities myself,” he concludes.