In an era defined by fast-paced consumption and evolving musical landscapes, few artists have managed to strike a balance between personal vulnerability and mass appeal as effectively as the singer-songwriter known as The Rish. Moving away from the conventional path, he has carved out a unique identity that prioritizes the storytelling power of music over individual stardom. With a journey that spans from his roots in an experimental rock group to becoming a force in the Hindi pop scene, marked specially by his contribution to Saiyaara, The Rish is on a mission to create timeless music that resonates with the collective pulse of his generation. We sat down for an exclusive conversation with the artist to discuss his creative philosophy, the influence of industry stalwarts like Mohit Suri, and his long-term vision for his craft.
Talking about his identity and the reason behind his stage name, he explained how he wants his work to transcend his personal image. He shared, “The fact that my name is not Rishabh Kant, but simply The Rish, is intentional. I want my music to be bigger than me. I want people to listen to their own stories in my songs and truly make them their own.”
His transition into Hindi music was an important moment in his career, sparked by a realization during a stint as a working musician in Dubai. He said, “I was playing keyboards in a modest hotel, and my fellow singer was a huge fan of Mohit Suri. When I listened to him perform those tracks and played along, I had a realization: Why was I focusing so much on English music when this Hindi music was so fabulous and on a whole new level? That was my Aashiqui moment. I felt deeply connected to that sound, and I immediately called my family and asked them to cancel my plans to study music in L.A. so I could pursue Hindi music here instead.”
This shift eventually led to his involvement in Saiyaara, where the track Barbaad became a defining moment. Recalling the song’s creation, he mentioned, “It began as an intrusive thought, the desire to stay away from someone, the conflict of wanting to move on despite the attraction. It was a song built on the word ‘no.’ I don’t think a love song like that had been made here before, where the core sentiment is, ‘Should I tell you my secrets or not?’ It captures the toxicity and restlessness of our generation and it is truly our pulse.”
Collaborating with Mohit Suri proved to be a transformative experience for him. Describing the director’s approach, he said, “Mohit sir is one of a kind. I’m blessed to have been in the same room as him. When he came to our studio sessions, he didn’t just speak like a filmmaker, he spoke like a fellow musician. He has solid knowledge of musical nuances, from basslines to the history of bands like Green Day. He knew exactly how to make me feel comfortable and how to draw the best out of me. That is a next-level quality.”
The artist also touched upon his recent work in Apna Chehra Dikha, which also has vocals by Alka Yagnik. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “It is an honour to have Alka Ji on that track. We recorded it almost a decade ago in my father’s commercial studio. Back then, I hadn’t made a mark in the industry yet. For Alka Ji, who was used to recording three to five songs a day, it was just another project, but for me, it was my life’s work. Music is timeless, and I truly believe that if a song is good, it will last for decades. There is truly no one like her.”
When asked about his diverse range of work, from collaborating with Emiway Bantai to Alka Yagnik, he explained his vision saying, “Music doesn’t have to be classified into specific boxes. My goal is for The Rish to be the middle meeting point for all these sounds. I’m playing a long game and this isn’t about immediate fame that disappears overnight. I want my body of work to stand the test of time.”
As for what he hopes to see change in the industry, he remains optimistic about the power of bold decisions. He shared, “We need to follow the lead of people like Mohit sir and Aditya Chopra, who are willing to take risks on new talent. That is how iconic moments are created. The more we trust our gut and take risks, the better it will be for the industry. I believe we as an Indian music industry have the potential to make a massive impact globally.”
Also Read: Saiyaara’s New Song Barbaad Gives A Glimpse Of Ahaan Panday And Aneet Padda’s Electric Chemistry
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: filmfare.com
