Why did you decide on a career in singing?

I started my training as a singer at the age of 10, and it was more of a hobby. I never thought that I would make a profession out of it. I belong to a business family, and I always thought that would be the field I would follow. However, when I finished college, I got some offers to sing, so I grabbed them and they landed me where I am today. I ended up making a career out of my hobby, which, I think, is the best thing one can do.

Considering your extensive classical training, why go commercial?

An Indian classical album wouldn’t sell — at least that’s what my music company thinks. So, we thought of a more conventional medium of music, which would be through the Indian pop music, rock-pop, or pop genres. Basically, the main reason was sales.

I would say that’s the marketing genius of the music company BMG. They went all out in promoting the album, which actually made it the hit that it was. In today’s times, marketing is an important piece of selling. I remember travelling in Bombay and seeing me looking down on myself from the holdings up there — huge, huge, 40’ x 40’, and 80’ x 80’ — holding a can of Pepsi in my hand. It was fun and they had me on the Pepsi cover of the glass. So these kind of things made this a very beautifully managed campaign.

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What is it that inspires you to sing?

I get inspired listening to people like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Sahib, Mohammad Rafi — he’s my all time favourite and Asha Bhonsle. These are the people, you know, when you’ve had a bad day and you go home in the evening and you play their songs and you’re like, WOW, my day’s made.

If you had the choice to sing with any singer in the world, who would it be?

I would love to do a song with Asha Bhonsle — that would be a dream come true… and Jennifer Lopez.

What’s your idea of the perfect woman?

Somebody who I can relate to on a mental level. Actually, in my field of work, you come across a lot of women who are very, very hot. But when you speak to them, you are like, “Man, she’s so dumb”. You don’t want that at the end. You want to relate to somebody who’s very sexy, who has a brain and whom you can talk to for hours and have a detailed, intelligent conversation with.

What is your idea of sexuality?

Sexuality for me is a combination of animal instinct that drives us all and an emotional yearning that needs to be acknowledged. When you have managed to balance the two, it is far easier to recognize, understand and ultimately fulfill your sexuality with a like-minded partner.

You are also working towards fixing a firm foundation for yourself within the acting world. Why choose TV over film when film has the greater potential to legitimize you as an actor on a large scale, not to mention the lucrative factor?

Film is such a big ball game. So, when you begin such a career, it has to be the perfect film. Everything has to be right — from the script to the director to the producer to the publicity and the list goes on. Not that that’s not the case with television, but with films, people have to make a conscious effort to plan a trip to the movies and pay per person per film. Because of this, the audience is very unforgiving. Whereas, in the case of television, people can watch you from home while they are cooking or in their pyjamas. Little effort is required, so I opted for this route first. Until I get a good offer, I would rather do television where I’m doing some of the best projects on air and where I’m being appreciated for my work.

You’re currently starring with Karishma in the much-anticipated serial Karishma. Everybody is talking about it. How did you land the lead opposite her?

Akash Deep, who’s the creative producer and director, offered me the serial. He just called me up and said “I have this role for you. Come over and listen to it.” So I went over to the studio, heard him out and asked, “Karishma Kapoor is doing television?” He’s like, “Yeah, we’re doing it, and guess who we thought to play the first male lead opposite her — you.” I said, “Are you serious?” He’s like, “Yeah, we think you’d look very good opposite her, and she has even recommended your name.” How could I say no?

So, tell us a little about your role.

I play this young Thakur who was in Oxford and just returned back after studies, Karishma plays a maidservant in my haveli. It’s like a love story between the two; it starts off on that note and progresses further. It’s set in the 1940s.

How do you feel about the progress of your career so far?

I still have a lot to achieve, but I’m happy with what I have achieved so far because I don’t have a Godfather within the industry. I’m not a star’s son, nor do I have anybody who could come out and launch me. So I’m very happy with the way I’ve made a name for myself so far. Having said that, I’m not satisfied because I have miles to go before I have that good night’s sleep.

What do you do to keep grounded in the intoxicating world of stardom?

I do my riaz (rigorous voice training) in the morning, and then I exercise to balance myself emotionally. I like to hang out with my family and friends who don’t see the star factor and would bring me back to earth very quickly if I behaved star-like in front of them! They help keep things in perspective, help me remember that although today I sing and make a living from it, within the ocean of music, I’m not even 10 feet deep yet. Being a star is worth nothing without longevity, and I haven’t been around long enough to warrant that yet. There’s a lot to be achieved, and the struggle to achieve is what keeps me going and keeps me grounded.

Tell me something about Vikas Bhalla that people don’t know.

I love seafood (laughs), but seriously, I’m a very intense person — very, very intense. I’m very passionate about my friends, about people I feel close to and I love people who talk through their eyes.

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First published in the Fall 2003 Issue, www.AnokhiMagazine.com