THE SINGER DISCUSSES HIS RAPID RISE AND FUTURE PLANS
THE fact that rising star Stebin Ben has quickly connected with music fans in a big way is perfectly illustrated by the hundreds of millions of views his songs have clocked up on YouTube.
The gifted singer has delivered huge hits including Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai, Rula Ke Gaya Ishq, Mera Mehboob, Afsos Karoge and Thoda Thoda Pyaar. His multi-layered voice been compared to Atif Aslam and with more big songs on the way, he looks unstoppable.
Eastern Eye caught up with Stebin to discuss his journey, future hopes and why he likes getting inspiration from everywhere.
What first connected you to singing?
I grew up hearing a lot of Bollywood music and I guess that got me in touch with singing.
How did it make you feel when your first song was released?
At first, I did feel nervous, but the positive response and love I got was overwhelming.
You have delivered many hits since then, but which ones are closest to your heart?
All the songs are close to me in some way, but if I have to choose, then it would be Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai because it was my first release. And now my current one, which is Thoda Thoda Pyaar Hai, because of the amazing response and love it’s been getting from around the world.
Has the success of any of the songs exceeded your expectations?
I would say Rula Ke Gaya Ishq. I really didn’t expect so many people to connect with the song, but I’m glad it has reached many millions of hearts.
How does it feel to receive so much love for your latest song Thoda Thoda Pyaar Hai, which has already crossed more than 200 million views across YouTube?
It was like a magical ray of sunshine amid this whole period of lockdown we all are going through. All the love and praise has pushed me to deliver even better songs in the future.
These days your music is also getting good numbers and views through Instagram reels. What’s your take on today’s promotions via reels on social media?
Reels is the new organic way of reaching millions of hearts all over the world. It’s amazing
how much talent we get to see and how they can make a song go viral. It’s basically a virtual word of mouth.
How do you feel when you are compared to Atif Aslam?
I feel extremely humbled to be compared to him because he’s a legend and I really respect him for his work. I’m a very positive guy and only take this as a compliment to my talent.
How do you generate so much power and emotion in your voice?
When I get a song to record, my process initially involves listening to it with my eyes shut
and connecting to the lyrics of the song. Once I feel the whole vibe of the situation, it all flows through naturally from there.
Do you prefer singing slower love songs?
Slower love songs are easier to connect with soulfully. But as I’m evolving as a singer, I’ve started craving for a chance to experiment with different genres.
Who would you love to work with?
I would love to collaborate with Shreya Ghoshal for a Bollywood duet song. I’ve been and
still am her biggest fan.
What can we expect next from you and will you be doing more film songs?
You can expect to hear some really great songs, which I’ve recently recorded with my whole heart and soul. But more importantly, you will see me featuring in most of them too. So yes, there’s lots lined up. As soon as films start coming out again, you will surely hear my songs in them as well.
If you could learn something new in music, what would it be?
There’s so much to learn in music that the learning never ends. My only focus is to just keep recording songs in all the genres because there are certain things that only experience can teach you.
Millions are listening to your songs, but what music dominates your own playlist?
My playlist is filled with retro classics by Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi. It also has a lot of 1990s rock band songs.
What are your passions away from music?
Travelling has been a passion of mine since forever. And acting is something that I have recently developed an inclination towards since I’ve started featuring in (videos of) my own songs.
How much are you looking forward to hitting the live circuit after lockdown ends?
I just cannot wait to be on stage amid that whole power-packed crowd. The vibe of performing music in a live set-up is something that cannot be expressed in words!
What inspires you?
Every single person around me who is doing well, is ambitious and aggressive towards their goals inspire me. I get inspired really easily. It’s almost like I’m seeking inspiration everywhere.
Finally, what do you love music?
Music is something that helps people forget their worries and de-stress. Making music keeps me calm and happy. The fact that I’m being able to do that for a living is something I love life for. God is kind.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.