“No one from my own city knew me when I auditioned for Sa Re Ga Ma Pa but I remember going to Belgium with Mr Sonu Nigam and surprisingly, people knew me there.” – Mohammed Vakil

From being the winner of a singing reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa to winning the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Indian Television award this year, the very talented yet humble Mohammed Vakil talks to Damini Malshe about his journey as a singer and more.

- Damini Malshe

Winner of the reality singing show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Mohammed Vakil is indeed a powerhouse performer. In fact, he has even been one of the lead singers for the Shah Rukh Khan starrer film Veer Zaara. Not only that, this talented singer has also been the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Indian Television award. Read on as Mohammed Vakil talks about his foray into the music industry and more.

“Working for Yash Chopra’s banner and singing for Shah Rukh Khan is every man’s dream.”

Can you tell us a little about how got into the music industry?

I’m very lucky to be born in a family where everyone was into music; the Jaipur Gharana. It is this musical environment that is all I have and know. I have always been studying music with my Guru. One of my very first performances was when I performed as part of a street play. My first steps into the music industry would be because of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.

I participated in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in1994 and eventually won. A few years later in 1998, there was a mega final done by Zee TV where the judges panel consisted of 11 judges; including illustrious names like Jagjit Singh, Naushad, and Pandit Jasraj. I sang for the semi-final and the final and that is how I took my very first steps in the industry. It was after this, that my first album came out which was a compilation of songs sung by Sa Re Ga Ma Pa singers from Zee. I was later signed by Magna Sound and released two albums with them, Kasak and Keh Do. Kasak actually did very well and I believe it is quite popular even today. After that, I have worked with Zee Music, Times Music Magna Sound and even Sony.