God bless!

Archit Watts

He is a star waiting to become a superstar! After all, he is the first runner-up of Indian Idol-9. Hailing from a small, but famous Badal village, Khuda Baksh, 21, a college dropout, has also signed a two-year contract with Universal Music.

Till the age of 20, while studying at Gidderbaha, he had never visited a metro city. Now, he is all set to shift to Mumbai to fulfill the dreams of his father, Seera Khan Badal, a folk singer, who is no more in this world to guide him.

Despite facing many challenges in life, Khuda Baksh (God bless) has now made his mother, Asha Begum, who was a domestic help at former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal’s residence, proud.

An elated Khuda Baksh, who can now afford branded clothes, says it became possible due to the people who voted for him. “Earlier, I could not afford such expensive clothes, but now I have my cupboard full,” says Khuda Baksh.

He adds, “I have to fulfill my dream of owning a BMW car one day. I don’t have a car as of now.” He also wants to continue his studies and complete the BA degree. 

Back home

At his native village these days, he is visiting various educational institutions and social organisations are honouring him. “I have to perform in two events in May, including one in J&K. Besides, I have to go to the US for a music concert in July,” he says. “Earlier nobody knew me, but I have a young fan-following,” he beams.

The lone brother of five elder sisters, he is not the lone singer in family. His elder sister, Afsana Khan, too performed in another singing reality show Rising Star, but was eliminated in the Top 7 round. However, she has signed a contract with Colors TV. Before this, Afsana and her sisters used to perform at rural fairs, ‘jagrans’ and social functions.

Times have changed for Khuda Baksh and his family. Indeed!