This story is from August 22, 2008

Raghav’s first time!

JYOTI NISHA / Aug 22, 2008, 00:43 IST

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Singer and composer Raghav Sachar talks about his musical journey and his initiation into acting.

He might be among the new young crop of music composers in Bollywood, but his music spells class.
The guy can play almost 30 instruments and has to his credit the critically acclaimed For The First Time �� his debut album, successful soundtracks of films like Kabul Express, the song Manzar from Sunday, Dhamaal, One Two Three and the latest Kumar Mangat's Haal-e-dil.
Having shown his prowess as a composer, singer and songwriter, Raghav is now all set to surprise the audience as an actor in Indra Kumar and Ashok Thakaria��s film Daddy Cool. He is also doing the music of the film. In a t��te-��-t��te with Raghav, LT discovered Raghav��s uncanny love for music, his love status and more...
Tell us about Daddy Cool.

I am doing two promotional songs for the film. One of which is Daddy cool, for that we have taken the rights of the original track of 60s Boney M. The song is an eclectic mix of the original with a hint of Punjabi music. The other song is Look at the way I move my body which has both Hindi and English lyrics. A catchy chorus and groovy music are its USP.
Do you agree that today more than the music, it��s the visual appeal that decides the popularity of an album?

Earlier we had limited music channels and a few releases, so the competition was lesser. But with a whole range of channels and 10 different songs playing at different channels at the same time, the video has to be catchy to hold one��s attention.
What are your music influences?
Among the western lot, Jethro Tull, Kenny G, Sting, Incognito (a Punk band), Dizzy Gilespie and a few more. In India, I��m a big fan of RD Burman. He has impacted me a lot.
Your music is restricted to the classes. Don��t you want to compose for the masses?
I agree my first album For The First Time was only for the classes. But while Kabul Express was classy, it was such which was received well by the masses too. Similarly, in Haal-e-dil a song called Khwaish, is an off-beat and niche number. It has got Indian lyrics with a jazz background. The number was originally for my private album, but Mangat liked it so much that he convinced me to use it in the film.
Kumar Mangat also offered you to act in Haal-e-dil. Why didn��t you agree?
I wasn��t prepared to act at that time. Besides, the role was that of a second lead which I didn��t find very promising. I had this gut feeling that the film will not work and see how it doomed. Now, I am polishing my acting skills by taking private acting classes at home. Apart from composing and singing two promotional songs for Kabir Sadanand��s Tum Milo To Sahi, I am also acting in the film opposite Anjana Sukhani, where I am playing myself �� Raghav Sachar, the musician.
You love giving live performances...
Yes, I am more of a performing artiste than a composer, and I do almost four shows a month. I play 15 instruments while performing live. I love to see people going crazy when they see me jumping on stage or hear me sing in both male and female voice.
Any fond memory of becoming a celeb?
It was in 2003 when I was performing at amphitheatre in Singapore. The auditorium has a capacity of 300 people but almost every day about 1,500 people would turn up. There was this sweet lady who came all the three days but couldn��t manage to attend my concert. So, she met me later and gifted me a four-feet tall flower vase.
So, are you single?
Yes, I am single and ready to mingle. Having said that, I have had a number of relationships but none of them lasted.
What is your dream girl like?
She should be simple, not from Bollywood background and should understand my music.

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