The Raja of music?

The first thing that strikes you about Raja Hasan is his curly locks... And, of course, his smile.
But the lad who hails from the colourful city, Bikaner, has much more to him than his charming looks ��� and that���s a vibrant voice that instantly touches your soul. ���It is a blessing to entertain music lovers..., bring a smile on someone���s face and spread happiness through my music.And I hope to continue doing that all my life,��� says Raja.
A descendant of the erstwhile royal singers of Jodhpur, Raja has been giving stage performances right from childhood, and now is a regular face in a number of TV reality shows. ���When I was eight-years-old and giving my first stage performance, I realised that nothing but music will be a part of my life,��� says Raja who went on to learn music from his grandfather Allah Rakha Khan and father Rafik Sager.
But, it was cricket sensation Sachin Tendulkar who finally inspired him to leave his hometown and move to Mumbai in 1998 to try his luck in Bollywood. ���That year, Tendulkar had scored seven centuries. Looking at him, I used to marvel at his talent. And I thought to myself that if he, despite his height, can smash some of the world���s best bowlers, why can���t I make my name in the film industry? After all, I am taller than him,��� he laughs.
After shifting base to Mumbai, Raja had his share of struggle. Of course, success too came his way but it was only after a while. ���Meanwhile, I got married and it was my wife Ayesha who really helped me pull through my lean phase. Without hers and my parents��� support, I wonder if I���d have made it.��� As his eyes become moist recalling those days, he says, ���My mother used to ask me all the time when will I be seen on TV, or the dabba, as she used to and still calls it. By God���s grace, now she sees me almost everyday on it.���
Raja also confesses candidly that life sure has changed for him now. ���My phone just doesn���t stop ringing. In fact, now I can say that after all this, strangely, friends have become foes and foes have become friends. Time has changed a lot of things.��� However, despite all that adulation and fame, Raja remains grounded, and has his head firmly placed on his shoulders. ���I���m enjoying my work, that keeps me so busy. And my free time is spent with my wife and nine-year-old daughter Sanya. No time for parties for me,��� he smiles.
While shows keep him busy all the time, Raja is also realising his childhood dream of becoming a playback singer. And he already has an impressive lineup of films like Bachna Ae Haseeno, Chandni Chowk To China, Do Not Disturb, Bal Ganesha II, Sadiyaan and also a Bhojpuri flick Bhole Shankar, to his credit.