Danish Pratap Sood: ‘Whenever I Land an Acting Role, I Often Pitch Songs’

New Delhi-origin singer-songwriter and producer Danish Pratap Sood got a lot more spotlight recently owing to his role in the series Naam Namak Nishan, centered around the Indian armed forces. The response was such that people were already asking for season 2.

Not one to let his musician side go unnoticed, Sood also sang the melancholy song “Bikhar Gaya” for the series soundtrack. Soon after, the gentle tune “Kyaa Karun” from the series Call Me Bae was out, featuring Sood alongside producer-composer Pranay Parti. These songs mark two of several singles that have come out this year for Sood. In an interview with Rolling Stone India, he talks about having an active year so far, appearing as a musician and actor for shows and what’s next.

Rolling Stone India: What has the reception for Naam Namak Nishan been like for you as both, an actor and a musician involved in the project?

Danish Pratap Sood: It has been quite an overwhelming response. People really enjoyed the mix of acting chops and the song moments in the show. I have been really grateful to showcase both of them in the same space. I am really happy people liked the show and people have been messaging us about the whereabouts of another season.

With “Bikhar Gaya” coming out from the series soundtrack, it marks quite a few singles coming out this year for you. “Kyaa Karun” from Call Me Bae, plus singles like “Woh Din,” “Paraye,” “Sawan” and “Slow Down.” Do you zoom out a bit and take a micro view of the body of work so far?

I definitely do. As an artist, we have to definitely give ourselves that transparency to understand our work irrespective of the judgment from the audience for my filmography and discography. I always analyze to see places where I could have done better and where all I need to change. It’s important to be on your toes because opportunities are all we have and once we get them, I try to give my best.

How are you approaching projects like soundtrack work so far? Is it more of you pitching to the makers of the show or do they see that value add in you being an actor as well as a musician?

I had the opportunity to collaborate with Akarsh [Khurana, director] while acting on the sets of [2022 show] Jugaadistan, which eventually led to my involvement in creating ‘Jaanu Na’ for Mismatched. It all unfolded quite organically from there. Later, I met Collin D’Cunha, the director of *Call Me Bae*, and during one of our conversations about music, I ended up pitching ‘Kyaa Karun’ to him. Now, whenever I land an acting role, I often pitch songs if there’s a need. I think the creators appreciate this because I already have a deeper connection to the project, having been part of it as an actor. It can be more efficient than finding someone else to capture the exact mood, which is why ‘Bikhar Gaya’ came about for Naam Namak Nishan. Since I was already immersed in the project, I had a solid grasp of its emotional tone.

I saw that you’ve released a few of these songs with production credits going to Stuard DaCosta from The Yellow Diary. How did that connect happen and what has it been like working with him?

I worked on my first song with Stuart and people loved it. He’s more like family for me now. Post the push from Akarsh to do a song for Mismatched it was Taaruk Raina who brought me in touch with him. I was quite an amateur back then who wasn’t able to tell what he wanted. Stuart made this process so easy and organic for me. I didn’t possess all the technicalities at that point and Stuart came to my rescue. It’s always been a pleasure working with him and there’s so much that I want to learn from him. I also call every session a ‘Masterclass with Stu.’ And he never shies away from explaining and making me understand the different ways to treat a sound.

There’s a singer-songwriter aesthetic to some of these songs, can you tell me about where that comes for you, influence-wise?

I grew up listening to artists like John Mayer, The Beatles, and Eric Clapton, along with many other singer-songwriters. I always knew I wanted to pursue music at some point, but I was fortunate that the opportunity came sooner than I expected. While I used to write songs, I wasn’t very confident in my abilities at first. It was the encouragement from the people around me that pushed me to see it through. I was just a bathroom singer with dreams of making music but too afraid to step out of the shower.

What’s coming up next in terms of your work on screen as well as in music?

I have been working on an album and a couple of songs that encapsulate my journey as a musician. These have been in pages for some time and they will finally be out in the open. I am also co-producing on most of them so you get to listen to the full ‘Danish Sood singer-songwriter experience.’

I’m also working on songs for a few shows which might be out next year, including Mismatched season 3.