EXCLUSIVE: Aastha Gill Reveals Rappers Badshah, Raftaar Discouraged Her From Rapping; Recalls Them Questioning, “Why Do You Want To Rap?”

Singer Aastha Gill lately got candid about her long-standing bond and journey with rappers Badshah and Raftaar. In an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Aastha Gill opened up about her equation with the two, recalling fun memories like crashing a wedding together while also sharing key life and musical lessons she learned from them. Scroll down to read more.

Aastha Gill Opens Up On Her Bond With Rapper Raftaar

Talking about her bond with Raftaar, highlighting how they’ve been like siblings since college, Aastha Gill said, “With him, it was more like we had already planned as a team—Raftaar bhai, me and Badshah bhai—that we would do something together. At that time, everyone was just starting. Nobody had experience, and nobody was that big in the industry. We were all very young, and they believed in me since day one, from the first time they heard me sing, which in itself was a big go-ahead for me.”

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She further added,” So whenever they called me, I was like, ‘Haan, chalo dekh lenge.’ Tab mujhe thodi pata tha ki Bollywood mein aa jaayega—at that time, I was just hanging in there. Mujhe koi confidence nahi tha ki kya ho raha hai, kya nahi ho raha, but I was like, ‘okay, chalo.’ I’ve always been super chill like that—if there’s an opportunity, just go, work hard, dekh lenge. Ho gaya toh well and good, nahi hua toh we’ll figure out something else. So my attitude has been like this since day one.”

Aastha Gill Shares She, Raftaar, And Badshah Once Crashed A Wedding In Delhi

Further sharing a fun anecdote of the trio crashing a wedding together, Aastha Gill said, “Ek baar humne ek wedding crash kari thi. Hum log dance rehearsals karte the, aur Raftaar humare choreographer hua karte the. Hum sab bilkul gande sweatpants mein, paseene se bheege hue college ke bacche nikle the. Raat ho rahi thi, hum bahut bhookhe the, aur hum Rajouri Garden cross kar rahe the. Wahan ek bada sa tent tha jahan shaadi chal rahi thi. Wahan ek Punjabi artist perform kar raha tha, joh apparently unka dost tha. Toh Raftaar ne bola, ‘woh perform kar raha hai, chalo andar chalte hain.’ Maine kaha, ‘aise thodi jaayenge hum 5-6 log,’ but phir bhi hum ghus gaye. Hum wahan jaake aaram se khana kha rahe the, aur tab unka manager aaya aur poocha, ‘kya kar rahe ho?’ Toh humne bola, ‘Raftaar bhai ka wait kar rahe hain, woh milne gaye hain.’ Tab tak hum wahan ka almost saara khana uda chuke the (laughs)!”

Aastha Gill Shares Life And Musical Learnings She Gained From Badhshah And Raftaar

When asked about the takeaways and learnings she gained from Badshah and Raftaar, and what she believes she may have taught them in return, Aastha Gill said, “Yeh toh aapko unhi se poochna padega, main apna bata sakti hoon. But for me, from Badshah bhai, I’ve learned one very important thing in my life, which is hard work. I’ve seen him work hard, I’ve seen him stay focused even when he’s having fun, chilling with his cousins, or going out for a meal. Work is always on his mind, his career, his presentation, everything. He’s made his life his work, his art, and that’s a beautiful thing. And I’ve really, really learned that from him. And from Raftaar bhai, I’ve learned a lot too. But one very important thing I’ve learned recently is how he takes care of his family. I’ve seen a big change in him. It’s very beautiful. Now he balances work and life so well, and that’s something I’ve learned from him.”

Adding to what she has learned from them musically, the singer added, “Rapping toh unhone mujhe shuru-shuru mein karayi thi, even in English. Unhone bola tha ki main achha kar sakti hoon, but phir bole, ‘tu rehne de.’ Maine poocha kyun, toh bole, ‘jab tu itna achha gaa sakti hai toh rap kyun karegi?’ Unhone kaha, ‘Bhagwan ne tujhe itni acchi awaaz di hai, you can sing, why do you want to rap? Hum log gaa nahi sakte, isliye rap kar rahe hain.’ But they sing so well!”

Watch The Full Interview Here

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Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Aastha Gill Slams Fake Live Performances; Urges Lip Sync Clarity Amongst Singers Saying, “Don’t Pretend”

Sonali Singh

Sonali Singh watches films like it’s a job (and honestly, it kind of is). Currently pursuing her Master’s in Communication and Journalism, she lives somewhere between deadlines and movie scenes. If it’s Bollywood, she’s already invested—films, drama, and all the gossip included. When she’s not writing, she’s either dancing her heart out like no one’s watching or trying to mimic people, proving that not all talents are meant to be discovered.