Jubin Nautiyal gets candid about working with Mohit Suri and Karan Johar

The past month was nothing short of a gift for Jubin Nautiyal, with two of his songs, Barbaad from Saiyaara and Bas Ek Dhadak from Dhadak 2, emerging hits. Naturally, the singer and musician is elated. But after a successful 11-year-long career, there is more he wants to add to his discography. “I find myself imagining what it’d be like to sing a jazz piece in an old-world setting,” he smiles. In a chat with mid-day, Nautiyal walks down memory lane to talk about the songs that made him a star, and the hunger that drives him. 

Excerpts from the interview:

What was your discussion with composers Javed-Mohsin or director Shazia Iqbal before you went behind the mic for Bas Ek Dhadak? 
The tune Javed-Mohsin shared with me was moving. I remember sitting in the studio, closing my eyes as the first notes played, and thinking, ‘This isn’t just melody; it’s a feeling’. Shazia Iqbal gave me a beautiful brief. She said, “Don’t sing it. Feel it like a broken heart.” Singing for Karan Johar’s [banner] added its own magic. They treat music with grandeur.

Stills from ‘Dhadak 2’ and ‘Saiyaara’

The title track of Dhadak (2018) was much appreciated. Naturally, there would be comparisons. Did that put any pressure on you?
The original Dhadak track was iconic. It’s still hummed across the country. I remember listening to the original when it released and thinking, ‘What a pure expression of love!’ So, I was aware of the expectations. But during the recording of Bas Ek Dhadak, I kept telling myself, ‘This is a new story.’ I reminded myself to honour this moment, this emotion. 

Your voice has come to be known for love ballads. When you look back, is there a song that you feel personally proud of?
Humnava Mere, and Raataan Lambiyan [Shershaah, 2021] have touched people, but Tujhe Kitna Chahein Aur Hum [Kabir Singh, 2019] is a special song. When we performed it live at IIT Roorkee, 40,000 people were singing along. Even now, fans tell me how these songs helped them navigate heartbreak. As a singer, the most powerful thing is to be part of someone’s healing.

You’ve had another chartbuster last month with Barbaad from Saiyaara. How was your experience of working with Karan Johar and Mohit Suri?
Working with Mohit Suri sir is like stepping into the mind of a poet. During Barbaad, he narrated the scene — he told me what the character was feeling, the silence between the lines, and that helped me tap into the emotion more deeply. With Karan Johar, sir, the experience is about scale. When you know your song will be treated with such cinematic beauty, it elevates your own delivery.

Mohit Suri and Karan Johar

At this stage of your career, do you feel excited by the work coming your way, or think you deserve more diverse opportunities?
I’m grateful for everything that’s come my way. There are days I find myself imagining what it’d be like to sing a jazz piece in an old-world setting, or to blend folk with electronic sounds. When I visited Uttarakhand a few months ago, I heard a local shepherd sing. I thought, ‘Why haven’t I explored this sound yet?’ So, I started exploring local sounds from Uttarakhand and collaborating with them. 

What’s next on your plate?
I’ve been thinking about making an acoustic album — something intimate, stripped down. I also want to tap into Indian folk, learn from local artistes, and blend that authenticity into contemporary sound.