The success of Yo Yo Honey Singh, Guru Randhawa, Badshaah prove that Punjabi music and singers are a rage among music lovers. It isn’t an easy task to live up their fame but Punjabi singer Millind Gaba, whose single Zindagi Di Paudi got released recently, is slowly taking his steps towards stardom. “I just did what I wanted to and from my heart. Every song has helped me grow. I am happy that people are accepting me and I am growing everyday. Honey Singh, Guru Randhawa and Badshaah are my colleagues and I am happy to be a part of their family. They are going to Mumbai and representing Punjabi music at a mass level,” says the singer who loves experimenting with his music.
He admits that it’s a great sign for Punjabi singers, including those who are trying to make a mark for themselves, that Bollywood has a major fixation for Punjabi music. “I have sung a Punjabi song for Sooraj Pancholi and Varun Dhawan too,” he says.
As for what makes Punjabi songs so popular, he replies, “I don’t know what makes a song hit. I guess it’s about the language and the vibrations that come from the song.”
Zindagi Di Paudi, says Gaba, is based on love which inspires each one of us. “This is about pure, unconditional love,” he says.
The song has been rendered by MusicMG (Gaba’s stage name), released by T-series and directed by Shabby Singh. The lyrics are by Nirmaan and the video also stars Jannat Zubair Rahmani along with Gaba. It is part of his album titled Blessed. “This is the third song of the album. I will release the rest of the songs soon,” he says.
This isn’t the first time that Gaba has collaborated with T-Series. Their collaboration goes a long way. “Most of the songs have been backed by T-Series. In fact, Blessed has been produced by T-Series,” he says.
The song is getting positive response on social media and T-Series’ YouTube channel. Because of social media, artists get instant reactions from their listeners on whether they are liking their song or not. But Gaba says that he did not get any response instantly. “I really had to work hard for this for many years. In the beginning, the reactions were very few, but slowly the numbers grew. I do not think there is anything like ‘overnight success’. There are several sleepless nights involved in it,” says the singer known for his songs like Nazar Lag Jayegi, She Don’t Know and Yaar Mod Do.
The singer says that there is no denying that the comments that we get on our songs are very motivating. “Having said that, I am happy and lucky that I have a big label like T-Series backing me, so my song is reaching every nook and corner of the world. People are loving my song down South and it was trending in Pakistan too. The international reach gives me a boost,” he adds.
Not many know that Gaba’s father Jeetendra Gaba is a well-known Punjabi music producer and he has been working in the industry for 35 years. Gaba says that because he comes from a musical family, he was inclined towards it since a young age. “I was into music because I grew up with it. I wasn’t good at either academics or sports but one would always find me at the school music room. When I finished education, I made it clear to my parents that I wanted to pursue music as a career,” he says.
He adds that his family never pressurised him to get into music. “They just told me, ‘There is a lot of uncertainty in this industry. One day you will be at the top and next day on the ground. You never know when people will forget you and ask for a change. You just have to concentrate on your work.’ I have kept that in mind. I have always got the support of my family,” says the singer who has also worked in a Punjabi film titled Stupid 7.