Age?This Awaara guy and hero (?!?) of films like Sauda, Dil Ke Jharokein Mein and Taaqat, cried (or did he croon?) his arrival to the world 25 years ago.
Married?Revealing his age is no problem for this ex-Narsee Monjee-ite but specifying his marital status sure is. "That's something I will not talk about," he says.
Not even a simple `yes' or `no'?"No, sorry. I'll not discuss my personal life." Well, according to the rumour mill he married Punita, actor Prem Chopra's daughter, late last year.
But he does go on about his professional life. Particularly, now that he is a success or so they claim. So, did he always want to be a singer?You bet! He has been singing since childhood. He trained in Hindustani Classical music under Pandit Jialal Vasant at the age of 11 to 12 and later under Guru Iqbal Gill. His teachers in Bombay Scottish, he raves, were hooked on to his singing prowess which won his classmates many free lectures. The singing continued even incollege. "I used to be on stage, singing, for the smallest reason."
Did this munda only sing in college?"I scored a first class in the B Com examinations. It's difficult, especially with so many girls around," he squeals.
But singing was always his first love, right?"Singing is the simplest and the most beautiful form of entertainment. It brings you closer to God."
Good Lord! Is he also very religious?"Yes I believe in God. When God was asked where He lives, He said that he lives in the throat of a singer." Phew!
In that case, does Bhalla sing praises to the Lord every morning?"Yes I've learnt bhajans."
But how did a first class commerce graduate take to acting and singing for a living?
He was always interested in both trades. When films came his way, he made his pick. Two producers even offered him playback singing. "But in a film I would get to sing only one or two songs. An album was a more interesting prospect. The concentration would be on me." AndAwaara took to the streets -- as the "first Hindi rock album".
Does Vikas think that the music boom has a lot to offer to aspiring artists like him or is it that he ardently believes in `make hay while the sun shines'?"I like rock music. It's a new sound. Awaara is doing really well." But ask him for the exact sales figure and the guessing game starts. "Over two lakh, around one and a half...over one lakh for sure."
Perhaps he has a more accurate answer for a rather obvious question: Did he take up singing because his films flopped?"Not at all! I'm still very much into acting. Saazish is releasing soon. So it's not that I've `switched over' to singing because my films flopped."
But obviously something went wrong with his film career, somewhere. Where does he lay the blame?In his choice. "I accepted the films because I thought they were good; Sauda according to me was a very new concept for the Indian viewers." But Bhalla refuses to be bothered by the factthat all his films to date have flopped miserably. "I'm waiting for that one good film."
He gives importance to quality rather than quantity. "I want to do films that people will remember even after 100 years."
He has to be a great optimist. But does he believe that Bollywood can churn out such films now?"Why, films by Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt are, and will be, remembered for years."
But will such a project come his way?"It's not that I'm sitting and doing nothing. I have no problems asking for work." He wants to work with the bigwigs of Tinsel Town -- the Barjatyas, the Chopras and the like.
But will they offer him work?"These are the people who've introduced most newcomers." Groan! More optimism.
So, what is the full-of-hope Vikas Bhalla most likely to say?"Awaara." How predictable!
And least likely to say?Umm, err,...he can't think of anything.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
