Ravi Shukla

Calcutta’s dream run at talent competitions shows no sign of slowing down. t2 caught up with Bosco boy and St Xavier’s graduate Ravi Shukla, the morning after he won STAR Voice of India 2...

Becoming the Voice of India... has the feeling sunk in?

Not yet and I don’t think it will in a hurry (laughs). I am very happy. All the hard work that I put in all these five months has paid off. God has been very kind to me. The support of my relatives, friends and family has made this triumph possible for me.

Has a career in singing always been on your mind?

I always knew that I wanted to be a singer, but since I hail from a business background where no one has ever taken up music as a career, no one in my family really took me seriously initially. I have been participating in music competitions since I was in Standard I, but I only started learning professionally 2005 onwards. It was only then that my parents started encouraging me.

Being from Calcutta, why did you represent Delhi in the contest?

I am a complete Calcuttan at heart. My schooling was at Don Bosco (Park Circus) and I did my college from St Xavier’s. The only reason I represented Delhi was because I was holidaying at my relatives’ place and it was there that I auditioned for Voice of India.

You had to contend with tough competition. What do you think clinched the crown for you?

Believe me when I say that it wasn’t easy for me at all. I had to work very hard to win over the judges. I was the classic underdog and unlike many of the other contestants I wasn’t a favourite with any judge. In fact, most of the people on the show were shocked when I reached the final stage, asking: “Yeh itni door tak kaise aa gaya?” I really pushed myself and gave my best on the show. I think it’s my confidence and my resilience that resulted in my win.

Every moment of these five months must have been special. But can you talk about some of your best Voice of India memories?

That would undoubtedly be the time we got to spend with Sonu Nigam. He is an idol for every upcoming singer and early on in the show we got an opportunity to interact with him in Ahmedabad where he had come as a celebrity judge. Imagine my joy when he singled me out and said: “Tumhari shakal mere se bahut milti hai.” That is something that I have been hearing right from my school days, but coming from the man himself it was pretty special. And on the finale night, he hugged me and congratulated me when my name was announced. That was a great moment for me.

With judges in the form of Sukhwinder Singh, Ismail Darbar and Monty Sharma and a host like Shaan, you must have come away with loads of tips on music…

To be honest, we didn’t get much time with the judges owing to their hectic schedules. But we did go to their studios on more than one occasion and had a chance to look around. All the three judges have been extremely encouraging, ever ready with advice. Shaan has been like an elder brother. He has helped us a lot backstage and sometimes on stage too. He did give us a lot of tips on singing and stage performance.

What kind of reception are you expecting from Calcutta?

People from Calcutta have been calling me constantly since my win. I sometimes think ki mera phone na phat jaaye! I know that there will be huge celebrations when I go back home. After all, I have put Howrah on the reality show map.

And what next for Ravi Shukla?

I am going to take a break of 15 days and go home to Calcutta. I am not going to be one of those who fade out after a reality show win. I am going to go back to my daily riyaaz with a lot of josh and I am also planning to take up dance lessons to help me better my stage performances. Main kahin kho nahi jaunga. I am here to stay!