Roop Kumar Rathod on nature: 'I belong to the jungle's silence'
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Veteran singer Roop Kumar Rathod has spoken about his profound bond with the natural world, saying the jungle offers him a kind of peace that city life cannot. In a recent Instagram post, Rathod shared photographs of himself alongside various bird species he spotted during a forest visit, pairing the images with a caption that captured his philosophy on solitude and the wild.
What Rathod Said
'Away from the noise, surrounded by trees, birds and the whispers of the wild, I feel a different kind of peace. I don't just visit the jungle… I belong to its silence, its mystery, and its freedom,' Rathod wrote in the caption accompanying his post.
The images, which drew attention from fans and fellow artists, reflected a quieter, more introspective side of the singer — a contrast to the grandeur of the film scores he is best known for.
A Career Rooted in Iconic Film Music
Rathod has been active as a vocalist since 1999, but it was 'Sandese Aate Hain' from J.P. Dutta's Border (1997) that marked a turning point in his career. He went on to lend his voice to some of Hindi cinema's most beloved tracks, including 'Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai' for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and 'Maula Mere Maula' for Anwar.
Beyond Bollywood, Rathod has performed in fusion concerts alongside artists including Trilok Gurtu, Ranjit Barot, and Abhijit Pohankar, demonstrating a range that extends well beyond commercial film music.
Personal Life and Collaborative Work
In August 2005, Rathod and his wife appeared in an episode of the popular comedy series Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai, which featured a light-hearted musical contest. In 2011, the couple released a joint Sufi album titled Kalma with his wife Sunali Rathod.
Border 2 and the Return to a Landmark Franchise
Most recently, Rathod sang recreated versions of classic tracks 'Jaate Hue Lamhon' and 'Ghar Kab Aaoge' for Border 2, which released on 23 January. According to actor Varun Dhawan, the film is based on the 1971 war and certain true events.
Border 2 is presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series, in association with J.P. Dutta's J.P. Films, and is backed by producers Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J.P. Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta. The film is directed by Anurag Singh.
As Rathod continues to bridge the worlds of nature, Sufi music, and mainstream cinema, his Instagram post serves as a reminder that some of India's most enduring voices find their deepest inspiration far from the recording studio.