Raftaar Explained

Raftaar
Birthname:Kalathil Kuzhiyil Devadasan Dilin Nair
Birth Date:16 November 1988
Birth Place:Trivandrum, Kerala, India
Years Active:2008–present
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Associated Acts:Badshah, KR$NA, Ikka, Manj Musik, Karma, Salim–Sulaiman, Rashmeet Kaur, Yunan, Harjas Harjaayi, Shah Rule, Yo Yo Honey Singh

Kalathil Kuzhiyil Devadasan Dilin Nair[1] (born 16 November 1988), better known by his stage name Raftaar, is an Indian rapper, lyricist, dancer, actor, TV personality and music composer associated with Hindi, Punjabi and Haryanvi music.

He started his career as a dancer. He began his career in rap in 2008 with Lil Golu and Ikka, recording songs and uploading them on social sites. He then started working with Yo Yo Honey Singh as a part of the Mafia Mundeer group. Raftaar later split from the group due to credit-related problems. He then formed a group 'The Titans' with Badshah and Sachit Takkar (Sachh). They produced many songs together in the Punjabi Music Industry and Bollywood.[2] He was supported by Ankit Khanna, who introduced him to the Punjabi music band RDB, who then signed him onto their label, Three Records. Soon after the split between the RDB members, Raftaar joined Manjeet Ral (now known as Manj Musik). He started his solo career in 2016 after getting signed to Zee Music Company.

He won the Best Urban Single award for "Swag Mera Desi" with Manj Musik at the Brit Asia TV Music Awards. In 2019, he started judging the reality shows MTV Hustle, Dance India Dance and Roadies.

Early and personal life

Raftaar was born on 16 November 1988 to a Delhi-based Malayali couple in Trivandrum (now Thiruvananthapuram), Kerala.[3] [4] [5] Raftaar married Komal Vohra, the sister of Indian television actors Karan Vohra and Kunal Vohra, in December 2016.[6] [7] They filed for a divorce in 2020 and have been living separately. The legal proceedings were delayed due to COVID-pandemic and were finalised on 6 October 2022.[8] [9]

Career

Raftaar became known after releasing his song "Swag Mera Desi" in 2013 with Manj Musik. The line "Ab yeh karke dikhao" from the song was a diss to Yo Yo Honey Singh.[10] "Ab yeh karke dikhao" had already been used in Yo Yo Honey Singh's song "Party With The Bhoothnath" which led to a dispute between the two rappers in media.[11] "Swag Mera Desi" won Best Urban Song at the Brit Asia TV Music Awards in 2014.[12]

In 2017, Raftaar debuted in the Bengali music industry through the film One which featured singer Vishal Dadlani and Raftaar.[13] He also produced and rapped a song for the Chaamp soundtrack.[14] Raftaar has collaborated with Varun Dhawan for the second edition of Breezer Vivid Shuffle.[15]

Discography

Albums and mixtapes

!Year!Album!Track!Artist(s)!Producer(s)
2018Zero to InfinityBaby Marvake MaanegiRaftaarBlackout
Saare Karo DabRaftaar, Sonu Kakkar & MuhfaadRaftaar
GaddiRaftaar & Deep KalsiDeep Kalsi
Gall GoriyeRaftaar & Maninder ButtarRaftaar
Jean TeriRaftaar, Jaz Dhami & Deep KalsiDeep Kalsi
LonelyRaftaar,Mehabin Raftaar
Mundeya Di MauttRaftaar & YunanRaftaar
Woh ChoriRaftaar & Jyotica TangriRaftaar
2020Mr. NairMe And My PenRaftaar ft. Shah RuleRaftaar & Shah Rule
Dilli Waali BaatcheetRaftaarRaftaar
Main Wahi HoonRaftaar ft. KarmaRaftaar
DamnRaftaar ft. KR$NARaftaar
SickRaftaar ft. YunanMehabin& Raftaar
DramaRaftaarTom Enzy & Raftaar
BeshaqRaftaar ft. YunanAAKASH, Yunan & Raftaar
Feeling YouRaftaar ft. Deep KalsiAAKASH & Raftaar
HaanRaftaar ft. Harjas Harjaayi & Rashmeet KaurSaurabh Lokhande & Raftaar
MoveRaftaarSaurabh Lokhande
Bottal WargiRaftaar ft. Jordan SandhuDeep Kalsi
Naachne Ka ShaunqRaftaar ft. Brodha VTom Enzy
SupermanRaftaar ft. Manj MusikINSTINE, Raftaar & Manj Musik
PopularRaftaarAAKASH & Raftaar
DownRaftaar ft. KR$NALavito Beats, Tom Enzy & Raftaar
ProudRaftaarTom Enzy & Raftaar

EPs

!Year!EP!Track!Artist(s)!Producer(s)
2020-21BAR'ISH EPMicrophone CheckRaftaarSCARY'P
Tu Phir Se AanaRaftaar ft. Salim Merchant & KarmaRaftaar, Salim Merchant & Saurabh Lokhande
Black SheepRaftaarBoger
Goat DekhoRaftaarAllrounda Beats
2022HARD DRIVE Vol. 1ICERaftaarDXOR
F16Raftaar ft. Sikander KahlonHarm Sandhu
GANGNUMRaftaar ft. Deep KalsiRaftaar
NO CHINARaftaar ft. KR$NARaftaar & Frisk
36Raftaar ft. KarmaTrack PROS
RAASHAHRaftaar ft. BadshahYoungWilly
JASHAN-E-HIP-HOPRaftaar ft. Faris ShafiUmair
2023PRAAABBURaftaar & Prabh DeepTonybasu
BADNAAMLambo Drive
HELLOAnywaywell
TRAP PRAAUmair

Singles and collaborations

YearTrackArtist(s)Producer(s)Note(s)
2012BottleDeep Money ft. RaftaarMusic Director: The TitansFrom the album Born Star by Deep Money
Majnu
Tere Pichchhe
Sugar
2013You Don't Know MeRaftaarRaftaarFrom WTF Mixtape: Vol 1
ThappadSamples Send It Up by Kanye West
2014Swag Mera DesiRaftaar & Manj MusikManj MusikPanasonic Mobile MTV Spoken Word
Happy SingleB.I.G Dhillon & RaftaarRaftaar
SniperSukh-E & RaftaarSukh-E
FU (For You)Raftaar8 Mile (Bootleg)From WTF Mixtape: Vol 1
BBMNindy Kaur & RaftaarThree Records RDB (Rhythm Dhol Bass)
Gal Mitro
2015All BlackSukh-EMehabinRaftaarSukh-E and Raftaar
Desi Hip HopManj Musik, Raxstar, Roach Killa, Humble The Poet, Badshah, BIG Dhillon, Sarb Smooth & RaftaarManj MusikPanasonic Mobile MTV Spoken Word
Stand UpManj Musik, Big Dhillon & RaftaarManj Musik, O2 & SRK
MombatiyeZohaib Amjad, Raftaar & Manj MusikManj Musik
Allah VehManj Musik, Raftaar & Jashan SinghManj Musik & Sunny Brown
Billo HaiSahara, Manj Musik & RaftaarManj Musik
2016Nazar Battu AnthemNazar Battu, Abhi Payla & RaftaarD Chandu[18]
Chandigarh Rehn WaaliyeJenny Johal, Raftaar & Bunty BainsDesi Crew
TVF's CUTE Vol. 1RaftaarRaftaarPromotional track for Vodafone
Lak HilaadeManj Musik, Amy Jackson & RaftaarManj Musik, O2 & SRK
Do Hazaar SoloRaftaarRaftaarIntroduction track for the album Zero To Infinity
SaroorResham Singh Anmol & RaftaarDesi Crew
Instagram LoveRaftaar ft. KappieRaftaarPromotional track for Vodafone
2017Mera Highway StarTulsi Kumar & RaftaarSanjay Rajee
Can't Stop The PartyNoopsta, Raftaar & Humble The PoetManj Musik
Baby Marvake MaanegiRaftaarBlackout
Tere Wargi Nai AeRaftaar
  1. SADAK
Emiway Bantai ft. RaftaarPSYIK
2018Sheikh ChilliRaftaarRaftaar & InstineDiss track aimed at Emiway Bantai
Awein HaiRaftaarFrisk
Ready For My Vyah (Shaadi Anthem)Deep Kalsi, Akriti Kakar & RaftaarDeep Kalsi
2019Khainch Le QuashhRaftaar & ShiviArkane
2020Aage ChalRaftaarSaurabh Lokhande
ThodaRahul Sathu & RaftaarRahul Sathu
NaiyyoAkasa Singh and RaftaarStego & Vinay Vyas
Saath Ya KhilaafKR$NA ft. RaftaarTay On The Track
Mask OnRaftaar ft. Karma, Rashmeet Kaur & YunanGMP Sound Raftaar& Mehabin
AngaarIkka ft. RaftaarSez on the BeatFrom the album I by Ikka
Tu Phir Se AanaRaftaar ft. Salim Merchant & KarmaRaftaar
Click Pow Get DownRaftaarPromotional track for Epic Games
2021Saza-E-MautKR$NA ft. RaftaarRill Beats & Young Grape BeatzFrom the album Still Here by KR$NA
Ghana KasootaRaftaar & Rashmeet Kaur ft. Surbhi JyotiAvvy Sra
BarbaadRaftaar and Afsana KhanSalimSulaimanFrom Bhoomi 2021
Say My NameSmokey the Ghost ft. Raftaar & Sikander KahlonKdllacFrom the album The Human Nation by Smokey the Ghost
2022RATATARaftaarArtem grigoryanPromotional track for PUBG: New State Mobile
How to HateMC STAN ft. RaftaarMC STANFrom the album Insaan by MC STAN
Nahi Hai WohShah Rule ft. MC Altaf & RaftaarStunnah Beatz
IMAGEDeep Kalsi ft. RaftaarDeep KalsiMehabinFrom the EP WINNERSCIRCLE by Deep Kalsi
Kaali CarRaftaar & Asees KaurMixSinghMehabin
Shringaar[19] Vayu, Aastha Gill & Akasa Singh ft. RaftaarVaibhav Pani
Top OffIkka ft. Raftaar & MehabinByg ByrdFrom the album Nishu by Ikka
Speed Se BadhoRaftaarRaftaar
Never Back DownRaftaarKofeina
2023TajurbaPrabh Deep ft. RaftaarLambo DriveFrom the album Bhram (Deluxe) by Prabh Deep
Phone Mila KeRaftaar & Akasa SinghMehabin & Saurabh Lokhande
Bigg Boss OTT 2 - Official AnthemRaftaarJioCinema, Endemol Shine IndiaPromotional track for Bigg Boss OTT 2
KSHMR, Raftaar - LegacyRaftaarKSHMRFrom the album "KARAM"
No MercyRaftaar X KR$NA X Karma X MehabinDeep KalsiFrom the album "TUNNEL VISION"
2024
Like a SnakeBadshah ft. Raftaar x Aastha GillHitenFrom the album Ek Tha Raja by Badshah
MorniRaftaar X Sukh-E ft Bhumika SharmaAvvy SraVideo featuring morrocan model Soundous moufakir

Film music

Year Film / Series TrackCo-singer(s)Composer(s)Lyricist(s)Note(s)
2013Bullet RajaTamanchey Pe DiscoNindy Kaur, Manj Musik, RDBRDB, Manj MusikRaftaarHindi film
2014HeropantiWhistle BajaManj Musik, Nindy KaurManj Musik, Laxmikant Pyarelal
The Puppy SongManj MusikManj Musik
FuglyDhup ChikBadshah, Aastha GillRaftaar
Dr. CabbieDal MakhniManj MusikManj MusikManj Musik, Raftaar
2015Gabbar is BackWarna Gabbar Aa JayegaManj Musik, Raftaar, Big Dhillon
Singh Is BliingSingh and KaurManj Musik, Nindy KaurManj Musik, Nindy Kaur, Raftaar, Big Dhillon
2016BaaghiLet's Talk About LoveNeha KakkarRaftaar, Shabbir Khan
A Flying JattA Flying Jatt Title TrackMansheel Gujral, TanishkaaSachin–JigarVayu, Raftaar
DishoomToh DishoomShahid MallyaPritamMayur Puri
DangalDhaakadAmitabh Bhattacharya
Beiimaan LoveMar GayeManj Musik, Nindy KaurManj MusikRaftaar
Tum Bin IIKi Kariye Nachna Aaonda NahinHardy Sandhu, Neha KakkarGourov-RoshinKumaar
2017 One One Title Track Vishal DadlaniProsen Bengali film
Chaamp Dekho Dekho ChaampRaftaar
KaabilHaseeno Ka Deewana (Remake)Payal DevGourov-Roshin, Rajesh RoshanKumaar, AnjaanHindi film
Commando 2Hare Krishna Hare Ram (Remake)Armaan Malik, RitikaGourov-Roshin, PritamKumaar
Jolly LLB 2Go PagalNindy KaurManj MusikManj Musik, Raftaar
RaabtaSadda MoveDiljit Dosanjh, Pradeep Singh SranPritamAmitabh Bhattacharya, Irshad Kamil
Behen Hogi TeriJaanu (Remake)Juggy D, ShiviRishi Rich, R.D. BurmanAnand Bakshi, Raftaar
A GentlemanBandook Meri LailaAsh King, Sachin–Jigar, Sidharth MalhotraSachin–JigarVayu
The Final ExitDum Maro Dum MaroNeha Kakkar, Yasser DesaiAmjad-NadeemAmjad-Nadeem, Raftaar
Lucknow CentralTeen KabootarMohit Chauhan, Divya KumarArjunna HarjaieKumaar, Raftaar
Fukrey ReturnsMehbooba (Remake)Neha Kakkar, Yasser Desai, Mohammed RafiPrem-HardeepKumaar
Tu Mera Bhai Nahi HaiGandharv SachdevSumeet-BellarySatya Khare, Raftaar
Tiger Zinda HaiZinda HaiSukhwinder SinghVishal–Shekhar, Julius PackiamIrshad Kamil
2018MantoMantoiyatNawazuddin SiddiquiRaftaarRaftaar, Saadat Hasan Manto
AndhadhunAndhadhun Title TrackRaftaar, Girish Nakod
Bhaiaji SuperhitNaam Hai BhaiajiAmit MishraSanjeev-Darshan, Neerraj PathakSanjeev Chaturvedi, Neerraj Pathak
Om Namah ShivaySukhwinder Singh, Raghav Sachar, Akanksha SharmaRaghav SacharShabbir Ahmed
2019SettersKartooteinSalim–Sulaiman, Sukhwinder SIngh
2020DarbarThalaiva In ChargeYogi BAnirudh RavichanderRaftaar, Yogi B, Senthuzhan, Syan
Love Aaj Kal Parmeshwara PritamIrshad Kamil
202199 SongsNayi NayiShashwat SinghA. R. RahmanNavneet Virk, Raftaar
PagglaitPagglaitAmrita Singh, Arijit SinghArijit SinghNeelesh Misra
SherniMain SherniAkasa SinghUtkarsh GhatekarRaghav
2022The Great Indian MurderRaskalaUmang DoshiShloke Lal, Ashwath Bobo
Janhit Mein JaariJanhit Mein Jaari Title TrackNakash AzizPrini Sidhant Madhav Raaj Shaandilyaa
Vikram (D)Badle Badle (Rap Extended Version)Kamal HaasanAnirudh RavichanderAnirudh Ravichander, Raqueeb Alam
2023Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki JaanYentammaVishal Dadlani, Payal DevPayal DevShabbir Ahmed
12th Fail"Restart" (Rap) Shantanu MoitraSwanand Kirkire, Raftaar
"Restart" (Rap 'N' Folk) Swanand Kirkire, Shaan, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Shantanu Moitra
2024Shaitaan"Aisa Main Shaitaan"Amit TrivediKumaar

Television roles

YearShowChannelRoleNote(s)
2011Dance India Dance DoublesZee TVContestant
2015Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8Colors TVContestant9th place
2018LockdownZEE5[20] [21]
Roadies XtremeMTVGang Leader
Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain!& TVHimselfGuest
2019Roadies: Real HeroesMTVGang LeaderWinner
Dance India Dance Battle Of The ChampionsZee TVJudge
MTV HustleMTVMajor role in development of the show.
2020Roadies: RevolutionMTVGang LeaderReplaced by Varun Sood as Raftaar had to leave the show midway for release of his album Mr. Nair.
2023BajaoJioCinemaBabbar

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Raftaar - The Malayali Swag . 6 July 2023 . Radio City India . YouTube . 6 July 2023 . from 0:25 to 0:35.
  2. The Titans(Sachh-Badshah-Raftaar)https://gaana.com/artist/the-titans-sachh
  3. News: Happy Birthday Raftaar: ਰਫਤਾਰ ਅੱਜ ਮਨਾ ਰਹੇ 34ਵਾਂ ਜਨਮਦਿਨ, ਰੈਪਰ ਬਾਦਸ਼ਾਹ ਨੇ ਇੰਝ ਕੀਤਾ Wish . 26 May 2023 . News18 Punjab . 16 November 2022 . pa.
  4. News: Tagat . Anurag . Raftaar's Birthday Surprise Drop 'Hard Drive Vol. 1' Knocks It Out of the Park . 26 May 2023 . Rolling Stone India . 18 November 2022.
  5. News: Style south, Operation north: Rap star Raftaar on his Malayali roots, popularity in Punjab . Sankhayan . Ghosh . 13 January 2020 . The Indian Express . 1 November 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160104222427/https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/style-south-operation-north-rap-star-raftaar-on-his-malayali-roots-popularity-in-punjab/. 4 January 2016.
  6. News: Sonali . Kriti . Raftaar marries his 'soul mate' Komal Vohra, shares all wedding updates. See pics, video . 13 June 2022 . The Indian Express . 3 December 2016 . en.
  7. News: Rapper Raftaar is taken, to marry girlfriend Komal Vohra on December 1 . 13 June 2022 . Hindustan Times . 23 November 2016 . en.
  8. News: Roadies fame Raftaar and wife Komal Vohra headed for a divorce after 6 years of marriage . 24 June 2022 . The Times of India . 23 June 2022.
  9. News: Rapper Raftaar and His Wife Komal Vohra Part Ways After 6 Years of Their Marriage . 24 June 2022 . News18 . 24 June 2022.
  10. News: Yo Yo, Raftaar rap up another row . 18 September 2020 . Hindustan Times . 25 July 2014 . en.
  11. Web site: Yo Yo caught in a fresh controversy with Punjabi rapper Raftaar. intoday.in. 8 May 2014. 15 July 2018.
  12. Web site: Raftaar to headline Bollyboom. radioandmusic.com. 15 July 2018.
  13. News: Vishal Dadlani and Raftaar sing title track of Bengali film 'One'. The Times of India. 15 July 2018.
  14. News: Dev, Rukmini and Raftaar go clubbing with t2. https://web.archive.org/web/20170820120457/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170622/jsp/t2/story_158005.jsp. dead. 20 August 2017. The Telegraph. 15 July 2018.
  15. Web site: Varun and Raftaar Announce Winners of Breezer Vivid Shuffle S2. 15 October 2018. The Quint. en. 11 July 2019.
  16. News: Rapper Raftaar dedicates Zero to Infinity' world tour to his fans'. 1 June 2018. The Times of India. 15 July 2018. IANS.
  17. News: Raftaar pays homage to his roots with new album Baar'ish Ep. 13 April 2020. OutlookIndia. 13 April 2020.
  18. Web site: Ankit Pal. Iss Faadu Song Ko As Ringtone Lagaoge Toh Kisi Ki Nazar Nahi Lagegi. Smile Karo. 12 October 2016. dead. 13 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161013144521/http://www.smilekaro.com/nazar-battu-anthem-song/.
  19. Web site: Shringaar . Hungama Music . New Song of Raftaar ft:Vayu, Astha Gill, Akasha and Milind Soman . 8 July 2022 . en.
  20. Web site: ZEE5 launches Lockdown with Badshah, Kailash Kher, Raftaar, Jonita Gandhi and many more. 17 August 2018. Zee News. en. 21 December 2018.
  21. Web site: ZEE5's Maiden Offering in the Music Space, 'Lockdown,' Premieres: Watch Trailer. India-West. R. M. VIJAYAKAR, Special to. India West. en. 21 December 2018. 27 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211027044314/https://www.indiawest.com/entertainment/television/zee-s-maiden-offering-in-the-music-space-lockdown-premieres/article_8853893a-a7c9-11e8-839d-5f7bc6b95985.html. dead.