The Fake Raja and the Real Raja
It was during the intense Saregamapa days when there was a common complaint from Raja Hasan baiters - they said he was just trying to behave like a goody-goody boy on stage with his “dreadfully diplomatic” answers. They felt that Raja was simply faking things when he tries to be nice to everyone. All those who were desperately looking for issues to thrash Raja, said that his humble and polite behaviour was a just a mask he had put on for television. An a good friend of mine was irritated that Raja always walked away with a Arun-Govil-in-Ramayan kinda smile, whenever he was given low marks.
It’s almost nine months down the line - the Saregamapa intensity has faded away. We have seen Raja several times on and off the screen post Saregamapa. Perhaps it is the right time to have a look at how much of “faking” it was - as people claimed.
Putting on a good-boy mask is easy. It’s pretty simple to pretend being a wonderful human-being on television. Lots of people do that. But can you carry on doing that day-in-day-out? That too for months? Even for the best of actors, there will be a time when you slip up and expose the real you.
Right after Saregamapa to up till now, we have seen several interviews of Raja. Never has he spoken a word out of place. Never has there been an utterance that is negative about anybody. Agreed, these are media interviews and one puts their best face across. But Raja has been living in constant limelight. Never might a day go when he isn’t haunted by his fans. During the world tour, he was constantly interacting with fans for almost 45 days in a row. And never have we heard one word about his being snobbish or arrogant. From school girls in Trinidad to a bunch of enthusiastic fans in Toronto - everyone has been praise for his behaviour - even if were off camera. He sang for his fans, he posed for photographs, he went out of the way to please his fans. And never has anything been said about his not being humble. And people tell us that he has been a perfect host to all his visitors too. Probably the only mistake he made was to treat a couple of calorie-sensitive girls to some delicious Rasmalai.
Jokes apart, from numerous accounts of people who have met him - Raja comes across as a person no different from how we saw him on Saregamapa. He refused to be drawn into controversy then. He refuses to be drawn into it even today. He was humble, polite and dignified on screen then. From all we have seen, nothing seems to have changed in spite of success and fame - on or off camera. He did seem to a have a sense of humour then. He hasn’t lost it yet.
I can understand why people found it difficult to believe that Raja was just being himself. In an age of hyper-competition and one-upmanship, being polite, humble and dignified seems to be old-fashioned to them. And honestly, being nice to everyone around - 24×7, 365 days a year is something most of us might struggle to achieve.
But Raja manages that, simply because, he is “genuinely” good at heart. And that’s what makes him so special.
Tags: raja hasan, saregamapa
Now, I think we need to bug Raffu to give us our prizes. Raffu, are you there????...
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Hi.
Very true, very true.
I would like to share something with you.
I met Raja personally in Surat when he came for Garba with Ismail Darbar.
He was sitting in the lounge, I went to him and started talking.
He was so humble and touched to ground, we talked about 15-20 mins and he never make me realize that he is a star.
Please remember, that was the time exactly after the end of Saregama, and Anik was declared the winner befer about a week ago. And still, Raja was purely RAJA.
Hats off the Raja.
@RajaHasanBacker,
I totally agree too. People are so used to seeing “bad” that when they do see “good” they are unable to accept it.
It is not only through “on stage behaviour” we can judge people but also through their actions off stage, their speech, their thoughts , their comments about events in their life etc etc. And a faker is spotted easily because he slips in one of these departments.
But Raja’s thoughts have been consistent with his behaviour, with his actions, with his comments on his struggling days.
Raja is genuinely a well bahaved person. I pray to God that this world does not change him.
Music Lover
Manish/Jugal kitni baar kaha hai i am not good at recognizing yeh kis ne likha hai why do you not put your name to it, i am a bewaqoof buddhi
Very well written as usual lot of truth in what you say i had one problem with him his hiding of his marriage but he clarified that and all is good he is a sweet decent boy aur tum manish jalo no commas and no fullstops because you don’t listen either toh ma toh ziyad upar hoti hai ke nahi
Yes, very true. Its something like “ dudh ka jla chach bhi phuk-phuk ke pita he”. We are very frequently come across such type of people. Moreover, that to in show line, every one is will lots of “ nakab” on there face. Lakin kush “RAJA’S” bhi hote he .
hi AQ. u r very lucky . tum raja se mile ho isliye.
hi all
i have something to tell
RAJA,Mauli,aneek are coming with saregamapa lil champs this friday. do watch it.
@ Music Lover…
I totally agree with u…a person is not just seen through stage behavior..but people have to look beyond that…i have not met Raja but i have heard a lot of people saying good stuff about Raja…
people have told me that Raja is simply great….actually they said that even though Raja has become so famous…he has not changed and that is one of the best qualities…people usually get a change in themselves when they get famous and stuff…but Raja is not one of them….he is just the BEST!!!
Yes, agree with you all I feel his amazing smile says how nice person he is.
Raja is a natural performer. He is confident, and looks so comfortable performing on stage. He appears quite shy in person. I met him during the break in Vacouver. Definitely a genuine guy.