Paresh Pahuja’s musical journey began at three — not with an instrument, but with a train. While recounting his first train ride to his grandmother, he did not just tell the story; he performed it, turning the clatter of wheels and rhythm of tracks into his first composition. Even before learning words, he expressed experiences through sounds. From drumming on buckets to trailing wedding bands, music was always a part of him, though formal training remained elusive. His love for cassettes — where songs intertwined with dialogues — inspired the format of his Voice Notes Concert India Tour.The tour will take audiences through 12 original songs and six voice notes, featuring hits such as ‘Dooron Dooron’, ‘Botalaan’, and ‘Mascara’, across Chandigarh, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Mumbai.Speaking over the phone, Paresh explains the tour’s concept. “It is a concert with a story. Storytelling plays a major role in it. I have always been deeply connected to voice notes. My day begins with a voice note from my mother, greeting me, followed by exchanges with friends and work-related messages — all through voice notes. Even my music starts this way. I record a melody and send it to my lyricist friends — Shiv, Vayu, Siddhant — who then respond with words through voice notes, shaping the songs.”The Voice Notes Concert India Tour by Paresh Pahuja and FriendsMarch 30: HK Hall Auditorium, AhmedabadApril 6: Sangit Kala Mandir, KolkataApril 12: Prestige Centre for Performing Arts, BengaluruApril 27: MumbaiTickets: Bookmyshow.comAt its core, the Voice Notes Concert is a story of two people balancing life and their careers in Mumbai, told through six voice notes and 12 songs. “That’s the heart of the concert. This is why I call it Voice Notes; for me, they are more than just messages; they are the foundation of my music and connection to the world.”A living room on stageInstead of a traditional concert setup, the stage for the concert is designed like Paresh’s living room, recreating the warmth and intimacy of his early jamming sessions with friends. “We wanted to make the audience feel like they are in my home, experiencing my love story. That is why it is called Paresh Pahuja and Friends — because everyone, from the crew to the audience, is made to feel like a friend. There is always chai, water, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. The show is not just a concert or a play, it is an unclassifiable experience, blending elements of theatre, music, and storytelling,” says Paresh.The concept for the Voice Notes Concert was born spontaneously, much like the creative journey of the show. “It started with me calling my musician friends from Bandish Bandits and Raga n Rage over for a casual jam session. I had no idea what we were going to perform, but I knew we had to do it.”With rehearsals in full swing, Paresh realised that something was missing — a narrative thread to tie the songs together. That is when the idea of incorporating recorded voice notes into the show emerged. “I reached out to my friend, actress Anupriya Goenka, who recorded the voice notes. The whole process unfolded organically.”
Paresh Pahuja
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Many of the songs featured in the concert have been in Paresh’s personal vault for over five to six years, songs he never found the right platform for because they did not fit the mould of mainstream commercial music. “Producers often told me that my songs wouldn’t work — either the intros were too long or the poetry broke the conventional structure. But every time someone told me this, I took it as a challenge. Now, those same songs are trending on Spotify and other platforms.”‘Bandish Bandits’ to center stageParesh became a familiar face as Mahi in the web series Bandish Bandits Season 2, but few knew about his musical side until ‘Dooron Dooron’ went viral.“People knew me as an actor and assumed music was just a hobby. But when ‘Dooron…’ took off around the same time as Bandish Bandits, they started making the connection. That is when the demand for live shows grew.”In Bandish Bandits, Paresh had to play the sitar — an instrument he had never held before. “During the audition, they asked if I could play a string instrument. I confidently said yes, thinking of the guitar. But when I landed the role, I realised I had to play the sitar! I was petrified, but learning it turned out to be one of the most enriching experiences of my life.”Paresh credits the writing and direction of Bandish Bandits for shaping Mahi, his rebellious rock-star sitarist character. More than just attitude, Mahi’s core angst was key — his defiance against tradition and belief that education in music should not be a privilege. Paresh wanted this message to come through authentically, not as a performance. He praises director Anand Tiwari for the creative freedom that allowed Mahi’s body language and persona to evolve organically.Paresh’s first experience with Telugu cinema came with Operation Valentine(2024), giving him a taste of the industry’s grand storytelling. “I would love to do another big Telugu project! I would jump at the chance to collaborate, especially with filmmakers like Rajamouli sir or even the new wave of storytellers in Telugu cinema. India is rich with incredible stories across cultures, and I would love to explore them all, whether in Telugu, Tamil, or any language. I am especially drawn to romance, intense love stories, and action-packed narratives. It would be an exciting challenge!” Published – March 28, 2025 04:17 pm IST
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