Tejal Sinha
Rishabh and Sanchit—better known as Khosla Raghu—are two Delhi boys who turned their jam sessions into a full-blown musical vibe. Think: one loves Western beats, the other swears by Indian classical, and together they create magic that hits you right in the feels. Their breakout track Barse More Naina was the spark, but it’s their real-life bond and infectious energy that keep listeners hooked. Their latest song, Tera Yaar, is a total heartwarmer—written by Khosla as a surprise for Raghu during his sister’s wedding, it’s the kind of track that makes you smile, sway and maybe tear up a little. For Khosla Raghu, music isn’t just sound—it’s stories, friendships, and a whole lot of soul.
The Pioneer connects with Risabh Raghuvanshi aka Raghu and he gets all candid about the duo and their music
Excerpts from the interview:
Tera Yaar has a deeply personal backstory, written during Raghu’s sister’s wedding. Can you share more about the emotions that went into creating this song?
RAGHU: Tera Yaar has been a very special song for us because the inspiration behind it is deeply personal. It was both challenging and exciting since we had never made a wedding song before. We wanted to stay honest to the inspiration and the fact that we created it for our sister makes the song and the journey even more special.
How did you balance personal emotions with making the song relatable to a wider audience?
RAGHU: This feeling is something we believe every Indian household is familiar with. So, for us, it was about staying true to that emotion, and we hope that everyone else relates to it.
The song has a nostalgic and heartfelt vibe. How did you approach the composition and production to capture that essence?
RAGHU: Indian weddings have their own sound and that’s what we aimed for in the composition and production. We wanted to bring in that nostalgia. Growing up, we heard so many wedding songs and we didn’t want to miss that essence. At the same time, we wanted to add our own unique touch to it.
What was the creative process like for Tera Yaar? Did you face any challenges while making it?
Tera Yaar was an exciting project for us. It was also fun because the process was different from our usual songs. Since it was our first wedding song, we got to work with a lot of session musicians—like Sarangi, Tabla and Dholak—which made the experience even more enjoyable.
How has your audience responded to Tera Yaar so far?
RAGHU: The response has been amazing! People are really connecting with the song, and we’re grateful for all the appreciation.
Any special reactions that stood out to you?
RAGHU: Yes! Some of our listeners have created amazing reels using the song and some have even told us they plan to use it at their own weddings. That’s really special for us.
You both come from different musical backgrounds—Sanchit with Western influences and Rishabh with Indian classical roots. How do you blend these styles while making music?
RAGHU: We don’t think in terms of “styles” too much. It’s more about what feels right and sounds right. If a melody fits the vibe of the song, that’s what we go for, rather than consciously differentiating between Western and Indian classical styles.
Your breakout song Barse More Naina gained massive traction on Spotify. Did its success shape your approach to music moving forward?
RAGHU: Not really! Every song is a new opportunity to experiment. Barse More Naina itself was a result of experimentation, and its success definitely motivated us to keep making music. But every song has its own journey, and we approach each one with fresh creativity.
From high school jamming sessions to becoming an emerging music duo, how has your journey evolved over the years?
RAGHU: We’ve always been friends first and a musical duo later. In many ways, things haven’t changed—our bond and friendship remain the same. But as artists, we’ve grown by learning new things, meeting more like-minded people, and collaborating with artists across the country. The more we work, the more grateful we feel for this journey.
Were there any defining moments where you realised that music was more than just a passion for you?
RAGHU: Yes! The first time we made a song together back in 2019 and released it, the appreciation we received from friends and listeners really motivated us. That’s when we realised we could take this forward and create something meaningful.
Your music blends modern and traditional elements. Are there specific artists or genres that influence your sound?
RAGHU: We listen to a wide range of music and artists from around the world. As musicians, it’s important to keep an open perception and a broad creative canvas. That’s what helps us blend different elements naturally.
Do you ever find it challenging to merge Western and Indian musical elements? How do you make them work together seamlessly?
RAGHU: Not really! For us, it’s all about what feels right at the moment. We don’t force a fusion—it just happens organically when we’re working on a song.
Your songs tell stories and evoke strong emotions. How important is storytelling in your music?
RAGHU: Storytelling is very important for us. It not only shapes the lyrics but also helps guide the entire direction of the song.
What can we expect next from KhoslaRaghu? Any upcoming projects or collaborations?
RAGHU: We’ll be releasing our latest EP Aawara very soon! Apart from that, we’re really looking forward to performing more this year with fresh new music, and we’re very excited about it.
