Deepak Thakur’s Journey from Gangs of Wasseypur to Bigg Boss

Singer Deepak Thakur’s Journey from Gangs of Wasseypur to Bigg Boss

(Photo: The Quint/Athar Rather)

Deepak Thakur is a twenty-three year old singer from Muzaffarpur city in Bihar. 

Video Editor: Prashant Chauhan
Cameraperson: Athar Rather
Producer: Vatsala Singh

Frustiyaao Nahin Moora
Narbhasaao Nahin Moora

If you’ve watched Gangs of Wasseypur 2, you will remember Huma Qureshi as Mohsina comforting a visibly upset Faizal Khan, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, with a song that is striking for its uncanny blend of English and Bhojpuri. ‘Moora’, written by Varun Grover and composed by Sneha Khanwalkar, has two versions. One was sung by Khanwalkar herself and Robbie Styles while the other was sung by a 14-year-old Deepak Thakur from Bihar.

While weddings lured crowds for the fare on offer, it lured Deepak for an opportunity to sing in front of the crowd. He rode pillion on other people’s bicycles and went to any event that offered him an opportunity to sing. Jagran was a jackpot. His only hope was to get noticed by someone in the crowd.

“All the influential people, people from the music industry would be present at such events. I only wanted them to take notice of me and give me a chance to sing,” said Deepak, who is now 23.

He was born in an island village called Athar in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar. He is the first and the only singer in the family that earns its livelihood through farming.

In 2013, floods destroyed many homes in Bihar. Deepak’s family also lost their house. The village and its people haven’t seen a kaali road — one made of concrete and mortar. The electricity is erratic. The only thing that connects the village to the city is a boat. Finding no way to hone his skills and no better opportunities to perform, Deepak’s family relocated to a rented accommodation in Muzaffarpur city for his music training.

Sneha Khanwalkar, the music director of Gangs of Wasseypur, found him on one of her travels. “I played something on my harmonium. She liked it. Anurag sir liked it. And that day changed my life,” he said. He got his first break as a playback singer in Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ , but he sang a full-length track in the film’s sequel ‘Gangs of Wasseypur 2’.

The movies came out and Deepak became Muzaffarpur’s star. The village boy had pulled off a big stunt and shocked all the naysayers. Despite the break, Deepak’s music career didn’t experience a dramatic shift. For the next seven years, no singing assignments or music offers came his way.

Deepak Thakur is now Muzaffarpur’s Instagram celebrity. 

Someone told Deepak to put himself out on social media.

“People told me that for artists social media is a big platform to show their work and also network. I arranged for a smartphone somehow, opened an Instagram account and followed Anurag Kashyap. He followed me back immediately,” Deepak said.

I remember it was 15 November, around 1: 30 in the afternoon. We spoke for exactly 3 minutes and 48 seconds. He asked me what was I up to. I told him that I was pursuing MBA but dropped out for lack of funds, and that I was at home not doing anything. Anurag Kashyap said, “Opportunities are knocking at my door and I was looking the other way.” I asked him what should I do.

Deepak Thakur, Singer

Deepak sang a third time for another Bollywood film. Once again for an Anurag Kashyap film – Mukkabaaz.

(This story was first published on 21 May 2018 and has been reposted from The Quint's archives for the launch of Bigg Boss Season 12.)

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