Actor and singer Akash Singh Rajput has just released his first music video Insta Reel. This song features him alongside the actress Shivangi Verma. Listeners have been showering much love on the song and Akash is too happy to hold his excitement. Happy with how his career has been shaping up, he wants to keep working both as a vocalist and actor. Akash talks about his singing and acting journey and more in this interview.
Tell us about ‘Insta Reel’. How has been the response around the song?
This is my first music video where I am not just a singer but an actor as well. So, it was a major challenge for me to do both. In four days the song has got four million hits. What else do you expect? I feel it’s a miracle and I am getting work inquiries, as well as film directors and producers, are praising me, and telling me to continue with my singing because they really liked the new Akash, who has emerged as a singer.
The trend of music videos is back. What is your viewpoint?
I feel it was always there. Be it Kishore Da’s songs to Badshah’s tracks, Indians can’t do without music. That’s why our films have songs in them.
What are the TV shows you have done so far?
I have done a few shows like Bazigar, Karmaphal Daata Shani and Porus.
What changes have you seen in the industry over the years?
The industry now moves on the basis of a business cycle. It keeps revolving according to the demand of the public and producers. The main focus is now on content, and not the actors anymore. I think Bollywood too, much like OTT, should start investing more on good scripts instead of on the stars. Realistic cinema is in.
Along with TV, films, you have worked on OTT and have done all the seasons of the hit web series Aashram. What difference do you find between TV, films and OTT?
TV is full of drama and the OTT is much closer to reality and reaches out to the audience in a more appropriate manner. The audience now has options on different platforms to watch different kinds of films, series and documentaries. Films are a different ball game altogether. The class and the mass are different in all these mediums. For every medium, you have to change your acting accordingly. It’s a long topic but to make it short, you need to understand and take cinema seriously because your work demands honesty and hard work.
Your first film Toilet Ek Prem Katha is a well-appreciated project. How was the experience?
It was my first time working with a massive star cast like Akshay [Kumar] sir, Anupam Kher Sir, Bhumi [Pednekar] ma’am. It was a dream come true for me. I played a reporter in the film. When I did my shot, the director thought that I was a journalist in reality and was impressed with my work.
Have you taken any formal training in singing?
I sing all the time, I love music, and never took training. I listen to all kinds of music. I think I know what the audience likes. That’s why I tried to give them ‘INSTA REEL’ to make reels on and also enjoy what they are doing.
Who is your favorite singer and why?
From Kishore Kumar sahab to Lata Mangeshkar came the time of Sonu Nigam, Udit Narayan Ji, Alka Yagnik ji and then the era of Honey Singh, Badshah emerged along with Arijit Singh and Atif Aslam. I like all of them and can’t choose one as my favourite.
If you have to choose between acting and singing, what will you choose and why?
I will choose acting because it was my childhood dream to become an actor. Even when I was 105kgs in 6th standard, I thought I was Ajay Devgn and was the dramatic department head in my school. Then I did theatre for three years in which I used to write, act and sing. The love for acting in me will be there till I die.
If not an actor, what would you have been and why?
If not acting I would be a philanthropist since I already have an inclination toward it. I feel social service is my calling and I would want to pursue it in the future.
