I wish to playback for Aamir Khan: Saurabh Valmiki

Young singer Saurabh Valmiki of Lakhimpur, who is currently winning hearts at a singing reality show, wishes to playback for his favourite hero Aamir Khan.

Coming from a humble background and small town life was never easy for this budding singer. But his shear grit and perseverance has taken him to a stage where he looks forward to creating a niche for himself in the industry.

“I always wanted to sing but had no idea on how to go about it. Being from a village I had restricted opportunities but I blindly followed whatever my elder brother sang during his practice. One day he heard me singing and told me to practice hard and find myself a guru. He even promised to pay the fee but it was a challenge to find a guru as almost every person I approached refused me giving strange reasons,” says Saurabh.

“Then I met my guru Raj Kumar Tiwari. He considered me like his son but destiny had other plans as he left the world too soon leaving me in the lurch. I had somehow managed to live without my parents as they died when I was a child but after my guruji’s death I was left shattered,” he says.

Saurabh then moved to Lucknow and did odd jobs to make his living.

“I knew to do something big I need to move to a big city and so I landed in Lucknow. To keep my finances going I took up odd jobs at small eateries. Also I got a few opportunities to sing at jagratas where I did earn a bit and made some contacts,” he says.

“One day a friend of mine asked me to visit Dehradun for a show. This was the turning point of my life as it was for the first time I received ₹10,000 for a stage performance. Also I got a job at a nearby school in Dehradun. A few months later I got an opportunity to audition for Indian Idol 10 and I somehow managed to clear the round even though I was pretty unwell. I just didn’t want that opportunity to go as I had already failed at second round of another reality show. But thanks to Sony TV they supported me by letting me skip the second round and reach directly to Mumbai for the third round,” says Saurabh.

He is among the top 14 of the show and is getting rave reviews for his performances by the judges, Vishal Dadlani, Neha Kakkar and Anu Malik.

“It’s a dream come true to be on such a big stage and meet big stars. Performing for them nothing less than a miracle and getting so much love from them as well as other contestants is a bonus. Finally, I have achieved something in my life. Today I have made my brother and uncle proud of me. Also my village is being recognised,” he says.

Saurabh’s cousin Sachin Kumar Valmiki was the first runner Up of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2016 and he feels that his cousin’s achievement did inspire him to make it big.

“Yes of course Sachin shot to fame because of a singing reality and I too wish to do something big like him,” says the singer.