Dhurandhar 2 has emerged as a major success, drawing audiences with its gripping narrative and strong performances. The film’s songs, in particular, have been widely praised, adding to its popularity. One such standout melody from the album is Mann Atkeya, sung by 21-year-old Vaibhav Gupta, who won Indian Idol 14 in 2024. In an exclusive chat with mid-day, Vaibhav opens up about this collaboration and working with Ranveer Singh and Aditya Dhar.
Vaibhav Gupta on first meeting with Aditya Dhar
Vaibhav is elated to be a part of such a big project as his Bollywood debut. He recalls how Shashwat Sachdev guided him, while Aditya Dhar constantly praised and motivated him during recordings. He also recalled the album launch day and said, “It was a dream stage where I was going to perform, and people enjoyed it. Ranveer sir really liked the song.”
Heaping praise on the actor, the singer continued, “He came on stage, hugged me, and gave me a lot of love. I would say that Ranveer is just like how he is on screen. He is an amazing person in real life as well. He is an amazing artist and a very good human being. He gives a lot of love to everyone. He knows everyone by name. I even went to his vanity and clicked a photo with him. All those things felt like a dream come true.”
Talking about Ranveer’s stardom post Dhurandhar, Vaibhav stated, “I feel that in Dhurandhar, he has showcased all his talents—something every artist strives to do. People recognise good work, and Ranveer sir has truly delivered that. I always believe the most important thing is to be a good person, and he is exactly that. He has acted brilliantly and has become the king of people’s hearts. Whether it’s his acting, personality, or fashion, everything about him is top-notch. His energy, both on-screen and off-screen, is incredible.”
Vaibhav Gupta on reality shows being scripted
Hailing from a small town, Indian Idol was truly a dream come true for Vaibhav, who lifted the trophy and earned praise. He also addressed the narrative of such shows being scripted. The singer said, “I’ve often heard people say that reality shows are scripted. But when you watch something from a distance, it’s easy to doubt its authenticity. From my experience, that’s not true at all. We performed live on stage, and if it were scripted, such esteemed judges wouldn’t be part of it or invest their time. For me, Indian Idol is a very important and pure platform that gives artists recognition and fame. People may feel certain personal stories are scripted, but they are real and come straight from our lives.”
