Mumbai: Bollywood singer Mohammed Irfan is known for his soulful yet magical voice who has delivered some of the best Hindi songs and carved a niche for himself in the music world. He is best known for crooning hits like ‘Phir Mohabbat’, ‘Baarish’ among others.
His Journey from Hyderabad to Mumbai
For the unversed, Irfan, who hails from Hyderabad, started his music journey with Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star 2 and won the title. He later appeared on other singing based reality shows like Amul STAR Voice of India and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005.
He provided the background vocals for Mani Ratnam-directed 2010 film Raavan. Since then he has crooned many soulful musical numbers including Rehmat Zara, Phir Mohabbat, Tum Jo Mile Ishq Me, Dard Dilo Ke, Baarish, Khwabo Mein Dekhi Thi Jo Angadayeenyan, Kahna Re among others.
Irfan’s journey from performing in Hyderabad events to singing chartbusters in Mumbai, was one full of challenges.
In a recent interview with HT, Mohammed Irfan opened up about how his playback singing career took off with the help of the iconic singer late SP Balasubramanyam.
“I’m extremely grateful to God, he has been kind. I just knew one thing — singing and that I love music. Film music was a big craze at that time; I wanted to sing in films no doubt, I didn’t know how. That’s why I thought reality shows would help me to get there. It didn’t happen, it doesn’t happen,” he said.
SP Balasubramanyam sir kept his promise, says Irfan
Irfan further shared that he caught the attention of veteran singer S. P. Balasubramanyam during a concert at a musical institute in Hyderabad, who recommended his name to AR Rahman. There is no looking back for Irfan since then.
“SP sir didn’t just hear me sing once. I come from Hyderabad, and studied in a music academy founded by my guruji Ramachari. I was singing there since childhood, and SP sir was like a mentor to all small kids. He had been seeing me, and after 10-12 years, when he saw me sing professionally, he was very happy. He promised he’ll will recommend my name to AR Rahman sir, and it finally happened. Raavan became my debut,” states Irfan whose recent releases are “Re mana” and “Belafz baatein”.
