'Ek Raat' fame Vilen speaks to WION: 'Never wanted people to think of me as a saint' | Exclusive

Indian singer, writer, music producer and director Vilen aka Vipul Dhankhar, who is best known for his hit tracks "Ek Raat" and "Chidiya", sat down for a candid conversation with WION's Kirtika Katira and spoke about his upcoming projects, the story behind his stage name, his biggest musical influences and a lot more!

Vilen began his journey with "Ek Raat", a song aimed at helping people who were mentally struggling. Rich in philosophy and life lessons, the project was a labour of love, taking about one and a half years to complete despite his lack of experience in music and filmmaking.

Beyond his music, Vilen is known for his profound motivational speeches and podcasts, which reflect his artistic philosophy. He believes that art should be a medium for personal reflection and emotional expression.

Vilen is currently working on an EP titled GoodGober, which showcases his versatility by blending different genres and languages, including Hindi, Punjabi, and Haryanvi. This EP marks a shift from his previous work, with each song offering a unique perspective on life.

Let's head straight to the interview!

What do you enjoy more? Making music or performing live?

Vilen: Both things, since one cannot exist without the other. Personally, I love making art more than performing live because I consider myself more of a storyteller than a performer or singer. So I have always enjoyed making art more than performing it live. At the same time, I really enjoy performing for my fans because they're super fun.

What's the story behind your stage name Vilen?

Vilen: I never wanted people to think of me as a saint and even in my music, I always talk about my shortcomings. I believe we constantly work on ourselves and try to be better. I feel we should always be conscious of our negative traits and keep them close to ourselves so that we can eventually improve them. In a nutshell, it keeps me grounded. I had the name Vilen in my mind always and there are probably 10 reasons why I chose it. 

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Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?

Vilen: I don't really have a musical influence since I am not a music enthusiast. I listen to everything and anything. But when it comes to storytelling, it is mostly derived from my personal experiences. Even with "Ek Raat", I added all the elements that I liked and it was a mix of rock, hip-hop and several other genres. So, I just make what I feel like making and it's a mix of a lot of things.

Many of your songs touch on themes like heartbreak, loneliness, and introspection. How do you stay grounded while working with such intense emotions?

Vilen: Even before I started making music, I used to help a lot of people. I used to give therapy to people and help them overcome their emotional state. And sometimes, it gives you a superiority complex that you are helping others and that it makes you better than the rest. But no, that's not true. And whenever I had those feelings back in the days, I used to stumble and face hardships. But now, I have a better understanding of things. Now whenever I help others, I feel like it's more of a duty and it makes me happy. 

What has been your most memorable performance or live show so far?

Vilen: My first show was definitely the most memorable one. Because I had never aspired to become a famous person or a singer. So it was all very alien to me.

Are there any collaborations or future projects you're particularly excited about?

Vilen: Currently, I have several projects lined up for release. I am collaborating with Kanika Kapoor, Himani Kapoor, Qaran and even Ravator. Then there's a song with Indian bassist Rahul Ram and we are planning a session. 

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Now, before we wrap up, here's a quick rapid-fire!

Night owl or early bird?

Vilen: Somewhere in between.

Beach or mountains?

Vilen: Beaches with mountains.

Coffee or tea?

Vilen: None.

Spiritual or religious?

Vilen: Definitely, spiritual.

Your go-to comfort food?

Vilen: Daliya khichdi.

Most used app on your phone?

Vilen: The calling feature.

Favourite city to perform in?

Vilen: Delhi and Pune!