Jaz Dhami: My father living his dream through me

“High Heels” hitmaker Jaz Dhami, who is all set to make his Bollywood singing debut after the launch of his latest single “Beparwaiyan”, says his father — Viccar Dhami, lead vocalist of the bhangra band Sangam — has been his “biggest inspiration” and is “living his dream” through Jaz.

Born and brought up in Birmingham, Britain, Jaz shot to fame after his collaboration with rapper-singer Yo Yo Honey Singh for “High Heels”, which gained tremendous popularity among youth.

“My family has been really supportive towards me. Because my dad has a passion for music, he always wanted me to become a singer. So, basically he is living his dream through me… And he has been the biggest inspiration for me. Also, Mohammed Rafi sir, A.R. Rahman sir, they’re my favourite artists,” Jaz told IANS in an interview.

Jaz, whose real name is Jaswinder Singh Dhami, says although he was raised in Britain, being brought up in a Punjabi family helped him grasp Punjabi.

“I come from a Punjabi background, so obviously we spoke Punjabi in the house. I came to India when I was 16, after my education, and I spend a lot of time in India. I guess that’s how I grasped the language,” said the singer, who turned 29 earlier this month.

His new single “Beparwaiyan” released on March 12, and now the singer is all set for his Bollywood debut with music director Himesh Reshammiya and singer Dr. Zeus in a yet-untitled Abhishek Bachchan film.

Speaking of his experience working for the song, Jaz gushed: “It was crazy, I was in Mumbai and I got a call from T-series saying that we’d like you to do a song for Bollywood and the next moment, I was recording in the studio with Himesh and Dr. Zeus.”

A lover of Bollywood music, he said: “It has always been on top of my list to make an entry into Bollywood and work in Bollywood. I am excited about the song in Abhishek’s film and I am excited about the fact that I’m finally getting my feet into Bollywood.”

Although the “High Heels” video features Jaz as a stylish hunk, he says acting “is just not in my cards”. But he may consider it if he’s offered screen space with Bollywood superstars Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar.

“I’m not an actor, so that’s something I wouldn’t want to do. My passion is music, I always wanted to become a successful singer. Being an actor is just not my cup of tea at all, but, if it happens and Salman Khan or Akshay Kumar are in the film, maybe I’ll consider it,” said Jaz.

Inputs by IANS