
Ravi Behl 8212; film actor, TV producer and now, Indipop crooner 8212; is obviously no new kid on the entertainment block. Which clues us in to why he8217;s as relaxed as his crushed comfort-fit jeans, about his eponymous first album. But, seated cross-legged and twinkle-eyed in his hotel room, he insists, 8220;I8217;m really excited about it. It8217;s a reflection of whatever I8217;ve loved in my life.8221;
The album, released by HMV, is indeed infused with the pep and joie de vivre Behl8217;s person emanates. Raju Singh, he of the Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhagi Si fame, who8217;s composed the music for Behl8217;s dream run on Sony he produces Boogie Woogie set the nine songs on Ravi to music.
8220;My mom hit me with a bartan when she heard me singing Ladkiyan,8221; says Behl in mock anguish, pointing to the Band-Aid on his forehead. 8220;She said I should sing ladki!8221; But nah, this 32-year-old Mumbaikar isn8217;t marrying yet 8220;when the right woman comes my way, I won8217;t let her go!8221; And until she does, Behl8217;s happy to court song and dance, his two biggest loves.8220;I grew up dancing around the house, doing Michael Jackson steps in my lungi,8221; he says.
Professional dancing happened in college, when he was appointed choreographer. And then after a detour into films it was on to Boogie Woogie, along with the Jafferi brothers, Jaaved and Naved. 8220;We wanted to encourage dancers from across the country, and Sony just loved the idea,8221; this star/co-star of Bollywood flicks Narsimha and Agnisaakshi says.
Acting, however, has taken a backseat now, and Behl suffers no regrets. 8220;I loved the appreciation I got as an actor, but what you require in film is a parallel talent, and that8217;s your PR.8221; And though the result doesn8217;t quite blow your mind with its originality, the sounds are groovy, fast-paced and CLEAN read easy-on-the-ears. Behl8217;s fav, however, is Har Pal, a ballad coined from 8220;personal experience.8221;
Plugged into his I8217;m-happy-to-exist mode, Behl isn8217;t really worried about 8220;which way who8217;s going. I8217;m just drifting.8221;