Jubin Nautiyal, whose soulful voice has the power to turn every romantic song into pure emotion, is once again striking the right chords with his latest song ‘Barbaad’, featured in Mohit Suri’s upcoming film ‘Saiyaara’. When Jubin’s voice meets romance, it goes straight to the heart — and ‘Barbaad’ is a fresh example of that. In a recent interview, Jubin opened up about the song, his collaboration with Mohit Suri, and how deeper emotions connect to powerful melodies. Here’s what he shared:

Your voice always connects deeply with romantic songs. How personal and special is your connection with the emotional track ‘Barbaad’?

Whenever a song is created, it’s never just about the voice or the melody — it’s a result of the hard work, passion, and vision of many people. The music composer, producer, lyricist — everyone pours their soul into it. But the most crucial role is played by the director, who shapes the song into a story, an experience. Then comes the visuals team, which brings the emotion alive on screen through filming, editing, and the performances of the actors.

‘Barbaad’ is one such song where all these layers beautifully come together. Whether it’s the lyrics, the music production, the emotional depth seen on screen, or the involvement of the actors — every aspect reflects a sense of truth and dedication. That’s why this song is extremely close to my heart. ‘Barbaad’ is not just a song; it’s an emotion — a kind of magic that feels new every time you hear it.

What emotions did you feel when you first heard the melody and lyrics of ‘Barbaad’? Did it connect to any personal memory or feeling?

Initially, I thought it was a sad song. But once I got involved and spoke with director Mohit Suri, he explained the true emotion — that it’s actually a romantic track. It’s about a hero who fears nothing in the world, but deep inside, he’s afraid of losing to love. That’s such a unique and powerful emotion. This song portrays a truth — that when someone falls in love, a subtle fear starts to grow in the heart. Once I understood that, I sang the song with that emotion in mind.

‘Barbaad’ is your first collaboration with Mohit Suri — how did his direction and creative vision influence or add new layers to your singing?

We had already recorded the song once, and I had sung it thinking it was a sad song. But later, when I spoke to Mohit Suri, he explained that the actual emotion was of someone newly in love, afraid of being destroyed by it. After understanding that, I internalized those thoughts and feelings, and re-recorded the song accordingly. Some takes were kept from the earlier version, and others were newly recorded — both were blended for the final track.

Working with Mohit Suri was a very special experience for me because he’s a brilliant musical director. He doesn’t just treat songs as music but crafts them like a story. For any singer, it’s a privilege to work with someone like him. As an artist, your work is everything, and when someone treats that work with love and care, you naturally admire them. This was my first collaboration with Mohit, and I truly hope we get to work together again in the future.

Mohit Suri said that you are the voice of romance for the current generation — does such a compliment make you feel more responsible, or does it just touch your heart?

If Mohit Suri has said that about me, it means a lot. He’s someone who has repeatedly taught the youth what love is. From Kalyug, Awarapan, Zeher, to Ek Villain — the music of his films has cast a spell across the world. So if he thinks I am the voice of romance, that’s a huge compliment for me.

In your view, what is the soul of a truly romantic song — the lyrics, the melody, or the singer’s feelings?

Truthfulness. Just because we are artists doesn’t mean we need to showcase our artistry in every way. If we express something with honesty and simplicity — whether it’s the singer, lyricist, or composer — it will definitely connect. In music, emotion is the most important element, followed by technique, rhythm, and melody. Emotion comes first because it’s what we truly work for. We’ve had some of the greatest singers, but Kishore Kumar holds a unique place in everyone’s heart. His magic lay entirely in emotion — he sang from the heart, and his voice reached the heart.

Do you believe that the pain of heartbreak leads to the most profound and impactful songs? Are melodies born from a broken heart more truthful?

Music is a part of art, and a broken-hearted artist naturally shares a deep and personal connection with their art. Sometimes, they can’t express that pain in words — but through their art, it comes out beautifully.

You’ve lent your soulful voice to many superhit songs — but which one is the closest to your heart, not just a hit but deeply personal?

‘Barbaad’ is my personal favorite — and there’s a very emotional reason behind it. There’s a generation gap between me and my father, and it’s rare that we both enjoy the same song. But ‘Barbaad’ is one of those rare ones. When I saw my dad listening to it on loop, it felt like an award to me. For an artist, there’s no greater joy than when your work connects with your own loved ones. That’s why ‘Barbaad’ is not just a hit song for me — it’s something truly close to my heart.

Saiyaara, starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, directed by Mohit Suri and backed by Yash Raj Films, is releasing in theatres on 18 July.

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