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VIDEO EDITOR: Prashant Chauhan CAMERAPERSON: Athar Rather PRODUCER: Vatsala Singh _Frustiyaao Nahin Moora Narbhasaao Nahin Moora_ If you’ve watched Gangs of Wasseypur 2, you will remember
Huma Qureshi as Mohsina comforting a visibly upset Faizal Khan, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, with a song that is striking for its uncanny blend of English and Bhojpuri. ‘Moora’, written by
Varun Grover and composed by Sneha Khanwalkar, has two versions. One was sung by Khanwalkar herself and Robbie Styles while the other was sung by a 14-year-old Deepak Thakur from Bihar.
While weddings lured crowds for the fare on offer, it lured Deepak for an opportunity to sing in front of the crowd. He rode pillion on other people’s bicycles and went to any event that
offered him an opportunity to sing. _Jagran _was a jackpot. His only hope was to get noticed by someone in the crowd. “All the influential people, people from the music industry would be
present at such events. I only wanted them to take notice of me and give me a chance to sing,” said Deepak, who is now 23. He was born in an island village called Athar in Muzaffarpur
district of Bihar. He is the first and the only singer in the family that earns its livelihood through farming. In 2013, floods destroyed many homes in Bihar. Deepak’s family also lost their
house. The village and its people haven’t seen a _kaali_ road — one made of concrete and mortar. The electricity is erratic. The only thing that connects the village to the city is a boat.
Finding no way to hone his skills and no better opportunities to perform, Deepak’s family relocated to a rented accommodation in Muzaffarpur city for his music training. Sneha Khanwalkar,
the music director of Gangs of Wasseypur, found him on one of her travels. “I played something on my harmonium. She liked it. Anurag sir liked it. And that day changed my life,” he said. He
got his first break as a playback singer in Anurag Kashyap’s ‘_Gangs of Wasseypur_’_ _, but he sang a full-length track in the film’s sequel ‘_Gangs of Wasseypur 2’_. The movies came out and
Deepak became Muzaffarpur’s star. The village boy had pulled off a big stunt and shocked all the naysayers. Despite the break, Deepak’s music career didn’t experience a dramatic shift. For
the next seven years, no singing assignments or music offers came his way. Someone told Deepak to put himself out on social media. “People told me that for artists social media is a big
platform to show their work and also network. I arranged for a smartphone somehow, opened an Instagram account and followed Anurag Kashyap. He followed me back immediately,” Deepak said.
> I remember it was 15 November, around 1: 30 in the afternoon. We > spoke for exactly 3 minutes and 48 seconds. He asked me what was I > up to. I told him that I was pursuing MBA
but dropped out for lack > of funds, and that I was at home not doing anything. Anurag Kashyap > said, “Opportunities are knocking at my door and I was looking the > other way.” I
asked him what should I do. Deepak Thakur, Singer Deepak sang a third time for another Bollywood film. Once again for an Anurag Kashyap film – Mukkabaaz. _(This story was first published on
21 May 2018 and has been reposted from __THE QUINT__'s archives for the launch of Bigg Boss Season 12.)_ _(__THE QUINT_ _is now on WhatsApp. To receive handpicked stories on topics you
care about, subscribe to our WhatsApp services. Just go to_ _TheQuint.com/WhatsApp_ _and hit Send.)_ Published: 21 May 2018, 2:12 PM IST