Rhythm Of Love: In Conversation With Remo Ghosh - Eastern Mirror
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Music, Rhythm of Love

Rhythm of Love: In conversation with Remo Ghosh

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By Henlly Phom Odyuo Updated: Apr 14, 2022 9:24 pm
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From making it to Top 5 in Indian Idol Season 4, Remo Ghosh who was one of the first contestants from Nagaland to make it big on a national reality show and was nicknamed “Chota Don” is all grown-up. He’s shifted to Mumbai to pursue his dreams and it’s been non-stop ever since.

Eastern Mirror caught up with Ghosh to get all the juicy details about his journey post Idol, his triumphs, struggles and dreams for the future! Read on to learn all about Ghosh and his experience in the music scene.

Eastern Mirror: It’s been 13 years since you participated in Indian Idol season 4.  How has life been since?

Remo Ghosh: First of all Thank You to Eastern Mirror for giving me this platform and opportunity to connect with my fans (I like to call them “my people”) in Nagaland again after such a long time.

Can’t believe it’s been 13 years; I feel old now that you mentioned it.

Life has been pretty amazing after Idol. Worldwide recognition, getting all the attention and love from fans, travelling around the world, meeting different people and trying to figure out things on my own, I have grown so much as a person (not height-wise though, I’m still the same).

Also, at the same time, it’s been a little hard as well. But I am grateful for all the hardships because that kept me grounded so no complaints.

Eastern Mirror: Being a top 5 finalist was indeed an achievement. But what challenges did you face after Indian Idol? Have you worked on any dream project after your Idol journey?

I was the first one from Nagaland to participate in any reality show and getting to the top 5 and that too in Indian Idol, it was huge. I still remember the kind of welcome I received when I came back home (Dimapur), it was something magical.

Talking about challenges, being very young and new to all this, I had no clue about how things worked.

I was famous but didn’t have much work and we weren’t doing very well financially at that time, so the struggle was inevitable, especially the initial days in Mumbai.

Life isn’t always sunshine and roses and that’s what makes it beautiful. And I must say, I am very lucky and grateful that I had my family here with me to help me get through. I’ll share my struggle stories with you once I make it big. And my dream project is a surprise.

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Eastern Mirror: Do you stay in contact with any of the people you met on Indian Idol?

Yes, I’m in touch with most of them, some of us have become very close friends and in fact I have made many friends from other seasons and other reality shows as well. We are all very supportive of each other.

And talking about the judges, I’ve met Anu Malik Sir and Kailash Kher Sir quite a few times but haven’t met Javed Akhtar Sahab since a long time. I’m hoping that I get to see him soon as I really admire him and also because I was his favorite.

Eastern Mirror: Since when did you shift to Mumbai? What are you up to in the city of dreams? Do you have any projects in line?

I shifted to Mumbai along with my family in 2009 some months after Idol. I have been doing recordings, live concerts and performing in events all around the world.

Also, I have done playback singing for a few popular TV shows but I am mostly into live music scene. People have loved my music videos (cover songs) and they have gone viral on social media so I am doing more such projects now. Besides my YouTube channel is growing quite well so I’d like to capitalise on that.

I’ll confess, I’ve been a bit lazy lately but I’ll try and be more active.

Also, I want to share something. People often think we (reality show stars) must be out of work or struggling as we don’t come on TV/Reality shows more often or sing for movies. But that’s not the case, as I said earlier, I and most of my colleagues are into live events which is a separate and an ever-growing industry plus that’s where the money is.

I haven’t even tried my hand on playback singing as it’s difficult to focus on two things. That said, the ultimate goal or achievement for any singer is to become an established Playback Singer. I’m going to focus on that henceforth.

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Eastern Mirror: What are your fondest memories of Dimapur/Nagaland? Do you have any plans to return to the city you grew up?

Ahh, Dimapur!! Have so many memories can’t pick any favorite; I can talk about this all day. I miss my days in Dimapur especially during the festivals. I do visit sometimes and my brother got married there last year. I wish we still had a home there so I could visit more often. “Moi Dimapur kehudai miss kurithake” (I miss Dimapur always).  I get very emotional every time I think or talk about Dimapur so let’s change the topic. And yeah, I’d like to build a nice house there one day.

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Eastern Mirror: Most Idols or singing competition winners and top finalists end up only being winners or part of the show without any break or guarantee in the industry. What is your take on this?

There could be a few reasons. Firstly, to think that if you become a reality show star, it’s going to be a cakewalk for you and you’d get direct entry into the industry is a mistake. It is a different ball game altogether; you have to start from ground zero (at least you have to be willing). But when you become a star you develop a certain sense of attitude- “Main kyun jaake kaammaangu? Main kyun baakiyon jaise struggle karoon?”

These are not my words; this is what I’ve heard from the industry people. I am not saying if this is right or wrong, we all have our own thought processes, I am no one to judge and not everybody thinks like that.

Nonetheless, that was the case before and things have changed now cause of the social media, you can see lots of new and even singers from earlier seasons are doing great work.

Secondly, as I said, for me and most reality show singers, we are/were focused on doing live shows.

However, I think the most important factor to make it big not only in this industry but also in other professions, depends on your contacts. It’s all about being at the right place with the right people. That’s why it’s fairly easy for some and tough for others. Call it luck or whatever.

Eastern Mirror: There were many contestants from Northeast who did well at the Indian Idol and other shows but could not make it big in the industry, is there any reason why this happens? What is your take on it?

There’s no definite answer as to why this happens. I’ll tell you what I observed.

Apart from the reasons I talked about earlier like having the right contacts, I think most artists in NE spend much of their time in their respective states than in Mumbai because they do so much work there. Therefore, you don’t see them much on the mainstream market. That doesn’t mean they aren’t successful and you never know.  You just need that one “big break”.  Let’s hope for the best.

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Eastern Mirror: Do you have any regrets since your days in Idol and till date?

I don’t know if we can call this regret but I do wish I had met some good people, someone to guide me in the right direction when I first came to Mumbai. But it’s not good to dwell on the past so let’s move on.

Eastern Mirror: What advice would you give to our upcoming Naga musicians who want to be part of singing contest?

My advice to all the upcoming Naga Artists would be to think like a businessman. Be emotional with your music and in your personal life but practical in your professional life. For example, if you get selected in any show, treat it like it’s all you have got, give it your best shot. And when it’s done, treat it like any other project and move on. You’ll learn new things and get many surprises as you go along so if you take it to your heart then it’s going to create problems.

You have to be mentally strong to not let it hamper your growth and most importantly your mental health.

And don’t doubt yourself, take risks. Always remember, hard work beats talent but confidence beats them all. This is the advice I’d give to my younger self. (Whoa!! I’ve become very wise.)

Also, I want to add. Many of my fans in Dimapur/Nagaland express their disappointment that I perform everywhere but not in my place. I’d like to tell them that I am dying to perform for y’all. But it’s not up to me, I am only an artiste and not an organiser. I am always available.

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By Henlly Phom Odyuo Updated: Apr 14, 2022 9:24:46 pm
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