At 30, rapper King is already a star, having risen to fame during the COVID-19 pandemic with his breakthrough hit Tu Aake Dekhle. He has collaborated with top artists from India and the West and seen his songs top the charts. King is now stepping into uncharted territory with a lead role in the new Prime Video show, Lukkhe.
In a candid chat with Hindustan Times, King talks about his non-existent acting aspirations, advice to young performers, and how he hopes to be remembered.
King calls playing Badnaam, a rapper who moonlights as a drug manufacturer in Lukkhe, a ‘privilege’ so early in his career. He confesses that he never felt he could be an actor and never had a ‘keeda’ (urge) for acting.
King admits that it was his music videos that helped him make his acting debut. He has a lesson for every young artist making their way into the Indian music scene: ‘Put your thoughts in your visuals. Try to perform it 100% with the same intensity that you had while writing it’.
King knows he is not the finished product in acting, but he hopes his hard work will be remembered. ‘All I wanted was that when this shoot gets over, whoever has worked with me should know that this boy has worked like a mule. Kisi ko acting achi lage na, but mehnat important hai (They may not like my acting, but hard work is important). That is my skill, and I keep trying to develop that’.
