Surat’s Artist Raju Kalakar Shines In New T-Series Music Video Of ‘Dil Pe Chalai Churiya’ Remix Version
Surat’s Raju Bhat, known as Raju Kalakar, has gone from performing at puppet shows to making his debut in a music video backed by T-Series, India’s biggest music label. Once scraping a living by playing the dhol on dusty street stages, Raju is now featured in the reimagined version of the 90s classic “Dil Pe Chalaayi Churiya”, sung once again by Sonu Nigam. Released on July 14, the song is already trending on YouTube and Instagram.
But what makes this moment truly unique isn’t just the platform, it’s the sound. Raju is seen playing rhythms on pieces of broken stones, the same raw, percussive technique that made his original viral video an internet sensation. That video, casually filmed and uploaded by a friend, unexpectedly set social media ablaze. Soon, Raju’s marble beats were being used by influencers and even top choreographers like Remo D’Souza to create Instagram reels.
Seeing the wave of popularity, T-Series decided to include Raju in their official “trending version” of the song. The new video features a blend of influencers and content creators, including Anjali Arora, Rajan Arora, Rishabh Shukla, and Deepak Garg, alongside Raju, who adds an organic, street-style edge with his unique instrument, discarded stone tiles.
While many have applauded the inclusion of a grassroots artist in a major production, not everyone is impressed. Comments online range from admiration to mockery. Some have praised Raju’s originality and authenticity, calling it “real talent finally getting noticed.” Others weren’t as kind, mocking the video’s casting choices and calling it “all hype, no soul.”
One user commented, “This is what you call pure luck.” Another wrote, “All the cringe creators in one frame.” But amid the trolling, Raju’s supporters continue to celebrate his journey, from the backstreets of Surat to sharing screen space with Sonu Nigam.
This isn’t Raju’s first brush with Sonu Nigam. The two had earlier collaborated in an Instagram video where they sang the same track together, Sonu even hinted that Raju might soon feature in a full-fledged project. That hint has now become reality. Raju Kalakar’s journey is a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is a single viral video, and an unshakable talent, to turn a street artist into a national story.