Rapper Badshah Exclusive Interview: “Khandaani Shafakhana Has A Lot Of Shock Value”

Badshah, who broke out on the music scene in 2012 after splitting from Honey Singh, is one of the most popular composers, rappers and singers not only in India but also all over the world. In his 7-year-long career as an independent artist, he has won numerous national and international awards and accolades for his chart-busting music and electric raps.

In 2018, Badshah was even listed by Forbes Magazine as the 63rd richest celebrity in India, leaving many well-established celebrities far behind.

After seeing such name, fame and money in no time, Badshah is now set to add a new feather to his cap. The composer, rapper and singer is turning to acting. He is all set to make his full-fledged acting debut with T-Series Films’ sex-clinic comedy Khandaani Shafakhana, co-starring Sonakshi Sinha and Varun Sharma. The film is poised for its theatrical release on 2^nd August, 2019.

As Badshah gears up for the release of the film with a lot of anticipation, he gets chatty with STARBIZ correspondent Mohnish Singh. In an exclusive interview with us, Badshah talks at length about his debut film Khandaani Shafakhana, how did he come on board to play a singer suffering from a sexual disorder, and what he enjoys doing most - singing or acting. Excerpts from a freewheeling chat.

How did you come onboard Khandaani Shafakhana?

Actually, I could not know when they made me do the film (laughs). I got a call from the team of the film. Then I met Shilpi ma’am and Gautam Mehra, who is the writer of the film. They narrated the entire story to me. I really liked it, especially my character. So, I thought, “Let’s do it.”

Then I also got a call from Bhushan (Kumar) sir. He said that he was signing me for the film. What happened next was that I went to the set and now the film is ready to release. I did not realize time flew so swiftly. I was busy with a lot of things when this film was offered to me, but I still did it and completed it with lots of fun and frolic.

Khandaani Shafakhana is a sex-clinic comedy. How was your reaction when you heard the story for the first time?

It had very shocking content, I would say. It has a lot of shock value. Having said that, what I actually feel is that it appears shocking only when you listen to it for the very first time. But when you see the film, you will realize that it is a very sweet film. It shows a beautiful bonding between a daughter and her mother and also between a niece and her maternal uncle. It is indeed a very sweet story.

Brief us about your role in the film.

I am playing a singer in the film named Gabru Ghaatak. He has a sexual disorder, so he goes to Baby Bedi (Sonakshi Sinha) to get treated. Baby running a Khandaani Shafakhana which she has inherited from her maternal uncle who has now died. Rest you will see in the film.

Badshah, what is more difficult - acting or singing?

Acting! Before turning to acting, I used to think that an actor just needs to learn his lines and blurt them out in front of the camera. But when I went to the sets for the first time, I came to know that there is an angle, light and the mark. So, if I learnt anything in advance, I would forget it before reaching the sets.

Khandaani Shafakhana is a comedy film. When you crack a joke, there should be a reaction coming from the person who is listening to your joke, right? But here, all the jokes that I cracked to the character of Sonakshi, she was not even there. I was cracking jokes to a pole, pretending it to be Sonakshi Sinha. That’s how they cheat in films. I did not know these things. By and by I realized that acting is not as easy as it looks. After doing Khandaani Shafakhana, my respect for actors has increased.

How many takes did you use to give for one shot?

Generally, my shots were okayed in the first take itself. It happened only once that we stuck with a particular scene. We spent the whole night, but it just did not happen. We first tried to do it, but even after spending 3-4 hours, it did not happen. After a point, our expressions started looking very mechanical. Then our director said, “Let’s do it tomorrow.” I never used to see many scenes after giving the shot. I would just go to Shilpi ma’am and ask her how was it?

Having tried acting and singing both, what is going to be your comfort zone now?

Singing will always remain in my comfort zone. One of the reasons I probably did Khandaani Shafakhana was Sonakshi Sinha who is like my great friend. Before signing the film, I had called Sonakshi up to tell her that I was getting a lot of acting offers and whether or not I should do them. She told me that I should go for it. When Khandaani Shafakhana was offered to me, I called her up again and asked for her suggestion. She said, “Do this film blindly. It would be a good start for you.”

Were you never approached for a Punjabi film?

Of course, I have been approached for Punjabi films also, but they were not willing to pay me what I deserve.

What was it like to work with Shilpi Dasgupta who is making her directorial debut with Khandaani Shafakhana?

See, our film deals with a very sensitive topic. In the recent past, you must have seen Vicky Donor (2012) and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017). Both films were directed by male directors. Here, a female is the captain of the ship where another female is playing a sexologist and treating men’s sexual disorders. Shilpi ma’am has directed the film with a lot of sensitivity, love and humour. I don’t think probably a male would be able to understand the psychology of a female.

Will we see you more in films after Khandaani Shafakhana?

That depends on the audience and how they receive the film. Who is not fascinated by films? Everybody wants to see them on the silver screen, attend premieres and go to award functions dressed in suits and pants. If somebody tells you that he does not like acting, he is lying. Bollywood has been fascinating people for ages. It fascinates me as well. However, whether or not I will do more films in the future is something I don’t know at the moment. If I get acceptance and things fall into place, only then more acting will happen.

Badshah, you started out in the year 2012. How much have you changed as a person over the years?

I see a lot of changes in myself. I think I have become more responsible. I have become more cautious. I used to be quite reckless when I started out, but now I feel a little more responsible towards society. When it comes to my lyrical and visual content, I try it remains healthy for consumption.

Khandaani Shafakhana is scheduled to arrive on 2nd August, 2019.