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Ruchira interviews a young, upcoming singer-cum-actor, Sharad Jagtiani. She picks his brains, talking about his life and times. An exclusive for Different Truths.
In the prevailing milieu of the country’s entertainment arena (B-town included), Sharad Jagtiani is the new-kid-on-the-block. This engineering graduate-turned-entertainer is equipped with mirror-cracking good looks and a voice to die for. He has his fingers in several pies, all at once. He has featured in more than 100 TV commercials and was last seen in the super hit web series Scam 1992. He is also a singer-composer, who has released several original and cover songs on his YouTube channel. Nurturing dreams in his eyes, mind, and heart, he exudes confidence that all of them will come true in a not-too-distant future.
Ruchira: Please tell us about your early years.
Sharad: I was born and brought up in Delhi. I completed my schooling from Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi, went on to obtain an engineering degree from Pune. However, I didn’t quite enjoy it. So, to keep myself going, I started singing on stage and anchored some college shows. After finishing college, I wanted to try out something totally different. A friend in Pune had gone for an audition for a TV show and I just accompanied her, and they asked me to audition for a role. Luckily, I ended up bagging the role and enjoyed it immensely. However, I decided to do an MBA and get into the corporate sector.
Ruchira: What lured you into entertainment?
Sharad: My love for music helped me get a job in a music company that had come to SIMS, my college for placement. A couple of years in music marketing, I decided to start my own celebrity management company. I moved from Delhi to Mumbai to sign on more artists. While I was helping an event organiser finalise an actress for a show in Khandwa (M.P), I suggested to him that he should also add a singer to the event. His budget was nearly exhausted, so I jokingly said that I could sing at the show; he agreed and in fact insisted on it. So, my first commercial performance started from Kishore Kumar’s native town. This coincidence was of great significance to me.
Ruchira: Tell us about your training in music
Sharad: I started learning Hindustani Classical music from Pandit Girdhar Prasad Jaipurwale, a wonderful man, who very patiently taught me how to do riyaz. In addition, I also learnt some basic techniques from Sanjay Mishraji.
Ruchira: Trace your acting career for us.
Sharad: While I started doing music shows, an actor friend of mine suggested that I should start auditioning for television commercials since that would help me become a known face. I started getting work after a few auditions and did brands like Donear, Cuticura and Citibank and that kick started my acting career. I also did some TV shows such as Mahi Way with YRF. In addition, I got cameo roles in flicks such as Aatma in which I played the father of the protagonist, when he was a child. Then there was United Six where I played a lecherous boss. The scenes were shot in Bangkok and my director had to act out all the scenes for me. It was rather interesting. Soon I was doing some great commercials for brands like Kwality Walls, Dettol, Colgate, Blue Star, LIC, Fiat, Kellogs, etc. I also did a lot of commercials in Malayalam and Tamil.
Ruchira: What videos have you done so far?
Sharad: I wanted to express myself more and influence others and so I started my YouTube channel titled Sharad’s World. I wanted to compose, sing, and do some motivational / inspirational videos. My latest video, The Ultimate Love Medley, comprises five of my all-time favourite songs. Love brings with it various emotions, the excitement of meeting soon, the anxiety of not being able to meet, the delight of being together and the sadness and pangs of separation, all such emotions are palpable in this video. I’m working on a couple of original songs which are in the pipeline.
Ruchira: Your target audience?
Sharad: I don’t have a target segment. I have made videos for the older generation, wherein I try to help them meditate; I have also made videos for the younger generation, wherein I attempt to motivate them to be more responsible. All in all, I feel my music is for everyone.
Ruchira: Your music genre?
Sharad: My genre of music is mainly love, but I’m also making some catchy inspiring songs which will intensely appeal to the youth.
Ruchira: Your hobbies and interests?
Sharad: My interests have become my profession. However, I would love to travel more and explore different cultures. I have an interest in the well being of people too.
Ruchira: Who do you owe your success to?
Sharad: I owe my career and success to myself of course for being determined and never giving up. I also want to thank my mom, brother, sister-in-law, nephew and nieces for their support and love. I am grateful to my buddies, Shweta, Vikas, Simi and Puja, who perpetually eulogise me. Also, my support system in Mumbai – Saumya, Simple and Stalin – who being actors themselves, help me to stay fit and grounded. They have always given me unconditional support. My thanks also go out to my rakhi sister Swappy, who is always trying to feed me.
I have always been a seeker in life, and I learnt a lot from watching some very inspiring videos of Louise Hay, Jay Shetty, Dr. Shefali Tsabary, and Bentinho Massaro, a self-styled spiritual teacher.
I wish to thank all the people I have worked with. I convey my utmost gratitude to the team of the movie titled Scam 1992 especially director-producer Hansal Mehta, who helped me to smoothly slip into the character of Rajdeep. To elaborate a little, Rajdeep happens to be the boss of the scribe, Sucheta Dalal, who in real life investigated the Harshad Mehta Bombay Stock Exchange scam, which shocked the entire country. during the early 90s.
For the content I create, I have the nicest people on my team, be it Kiran, who has been doing my makeup for years, or my amazing Videographer friends like Rishab, Rajat, not forgetting my latest find in Bangalore, Krishna. I mustn’t forget to thank my friend, Sandeep Chatterjee, who taught me how to sing into the microphone while recording.
Ruchira: Last but not the least, I must mention that RD and Lata Mangeshkar’s numbers have played a key role in making me what I am today.
Sharad: To entertain and empower.
Ruchira: What are your future plans?
Sharad: Make more music, do more shows, some fun acting assignments and be the bridge to better mental health for people
Ruchira: How do you see the industry in future?
Sharad: Better Scripts. More and more talented newcomers are getting big breaks. I also visualise the element of melody coming back to music in a big way.
Ruchira: Your dream project?
Sharad: I dream of playing the role of a singer in a multi-starrer movie directed by Raj Kumar Hirani, with Aamir Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Boman Irani as my co-stars.
Ruchira: Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
Sharad: In a decade from now I see myself touring the world, acting, singing and motivating people, besides running a couple of successful businesses: in the sphere of mental health and two, grooming and coaching fresh talent.
Photos and videos sourced by the interviewer
