One compliment that Aditya Narayan gets very often these days is how much he sounds like his father Udit Narayan. Aditya, who recently lent his voice to "Tatad Tatad" and "Dishkyaun" from 'Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela', is very happy with the success of the songs. The singer reveals that the songs were originally supposed to be sung by his father but Sanjay Leela Bhansali chose to retain his voice. But he had hated it at first.
Aditya says, “I assisted SLB on 'Ram-Leela' because I wanted to be on the sets of a big film and see how things work. I have spent most of my life in a recording studio; I thought this would be different. Since SLB was also the music composer of the film, I assisted him in that department too and would sing scratch versions of the songs, since he isn’t a good singer. When I sang the scratch version of "Tatad Tatad", he hated it and said I have a horrible voice. I was very hurt and decided to record the complete song again. This time he loved it so much that he retained the scratch version in the film, the song that was originally supposed to be sung by my dad. After that, he asked me to sing "Dishkyaun" as well. Most people, including my dad, keep telling me how much I sound just like him in these songs.”
It is not just singing. At a very young age, he also shared screen space with superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan in 'Pardes' and 'Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hai' respectively. When asked about his rapport with them, he says, “They have seen me grow up and have immense love for me but they are also some of the busiest people in the industry. I would not like to blow my own trumpet and say that we are in touch regularly but I know if I need guidance regarding my career, they will be there for me. When I hosted Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, they were very supportive and happy for me. So that attachment is still there.”
While Aditya still wishes to balance his singing and acting career, he says he wants to make it big on his own, not with his father’s support. “I won’t tell my dad to produce a film for me. Neither are we that rich nor would I want my dad to waste his hard-earned money on me unless I am 100 per cent sure the film will work. Vikram Bhatt saw me on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and offered me Shaapit. I would like to act in the future but bag the film on my own merit.”
The singer admits that he has a strong independent streak and moved out of home at a young age. “My father came from a small village in Uttar Pradesh but I am lucky to have grown up in times when we had a big bungalow and cars. I have been pampered a lot; so I felt I should learn to live on my own and take charge of my life. I have my own apartment — it is a space where I write, compose and rehearse my songs. It is only 10 minutes away from my parents’ home, so I can always drop in,” Aditya says.
When asked about his love life the singer says, “I have dated many girls during my college days but I don’t want to date anyone now. But I do hangout with girls. I am completely focused on my career and if I date any girl at this stage, I would feel I’m wasting my time.”
