Before the world knew him for soulful hits and catchy anthems, Tony Kakkar was just a little boy in Rishikesh, singing alongside his sisters at local Jagrans — sometimes even falling asleep mid-performance.
Today, the singer, songwriter, and composer credits those early days, and his family’s unshakable support, for the career he enjoys.
“I’m a human being first, then an artist who’s been lucky enough to compose, sing, and write songs,” he says with his signature humility.
The Big Break
Tony’s big break came with Saawan Aaya Hai from the film Creature 3D, though before that Botal Khol had already gone viral online.
Working with Bhushan Kumar of T-Series and filmmaker Vikram Bhatt was a milestone. “I still remember Bhushan ji hearing the song for the first time and approving it instantly,” Tony recalls.
Family & Influences
The Kakkar family’s journey was no small feat — moving from Rishikesh to Delhi and later Mumbai so that siblings Sonu, Neha, and Tony could chase their Bollywood dreams. “It’s a big thing to leave everything behind twice,” he says, crediting his elder sister Sonu for convincing their parents.
With musical influences ranging from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to A.R. Rahman, Tony also draws inspiration from his parents and sisters. Offstage, he’s a cricket lover, a movie buff, and — in an alternate universe — might have been a doctor.
A Funny Childhood Incident
He’s not afraid to laugh at himself either. He fondly remembers the time, during a school annual day, when his lungi fell mid-dance performance — and he kept dancing, blissfully unaware of the crowd’s laughter.
Akhiyan & Beyond
More recently, his Punjabi debut Akhiyan, featuring Bohemia and Neha Kakkar, has been “a dream come true.” The song’s unplugged version, he says, was a natural step: “The composition demanded it. I just followed my heart.”
Looking ahead, Tony sees his calendar packed with music-making and shoots — “with Matarani’s blessings.”
His advice for aspiring artists?
“If you’ve made something great, upload it to YouTube — even without a video. If it’s good, it will go viral.”
And for his fans? He grins: “Biggggggggesttttttttt hug to all of you.”
This interview was originally published in PollywoodReporter. It has been preserved here as part of our Archives collection, ensuring these conversations remain accessible for future readers.
