A celebrated voice in India, Ludhiana-based singer-songwriter Anuv Jain, has carved out a space in our hearts with his blend of simple yet impactful soundscapes and heartfelt song writing. From his breakout single, “Baarishein," to attaining global acclaim with viral hits like “Husn” and "Jo Tum Mere Ho,” Jain’s artistry continues to light up our lives with his melodic and lyrical resonance.
Only on his thirteenth single Jain marks a pivotal moment in his illustrious career by joining forces with Punjabi rapper and global sensation AP Dhillon on latest offering “Afsos,” which comes to life as a thoughtful, genre-defying production diving into coming to terms with your regrets.
With a musical gift of being able to resonate with audiences worldwide, Jain has cemented his place as a powerhouse talent who continues to bridge cultural and emotional divides with his chart-topping anthems.
In conversation with Earmilk, Jain dives into how his first collaborative experience came about, dealing with creative pressure, the ways in which he’d love to experiment with his craft going forward and wanting to be asked more about Easter eggs he incorporates into his music.
Tell me about the message/inspiration for “Afsos”
“Afsos,” which means "Regret" in Hindi, is a song about exactly that—coming to terms with something you did in the past and regretting it. In the context of the lyrics, it reflects on realizing you've let your love slip away and feeling the weight of that decision, even when there's no chance of reconciliation.
How did the collaboration come with AP Dhillon and what did you take away from the experience?
When AP reached out, the goal was simply to create a song that would complement both of our styles and result in something beautiful. The first time we met was in September. It was so easy to work with each other. I knew we had achieved that the moment I started composing “Afsos.” He listened to it and loved it, which was all the assurance we needed to move forward with the collaboration. I'm thrilled with how it turned out.
Your previous release have attained quite a bit of success – does that put any sort of creative pressure on you to keep measuring up or are you motivated by it?
Creative pressure is something every artist faces, no matter where they are in their career. There’s always a balance between meeting audience expectations and staying true to your artistic vision—and more often than not, those two don’t always align. Success adds another layer of pressure because you naturally want to keep replicating it.
But I try not to dwell on it too much. My focus is simply to give my best with every release and put my music out into the world. Sure, I know I could create songs that are guaranteed commercial hits, but where’s the fun in that? The real beauty is when a song, which people might not have expected to be a hit, ends up resonating deeply with them.
I truly believe in taking risks—that’s what keeps things exciting. It’s important to stay connected to your roots, to the sound people love you for, but at the same time, experimenting is essential. Some of the most beautiful music has come from artists willing to take risks, and that’s something I always want to embrace.
This is only your 13th single. How do you see your musical journey unfolding from here on? Any specific ambitions or dreams you’re hoping to achieve along the way?
I feel incredibly fortunate to have music as my career, and I never take it for granted. My only dream is to keep creating songs that people love and, hopefully, leave behind music that resonates for generations to come.
This track was your first collaborative offering – what have you learnt from the experience and how has changed your artistry?
As my first collaboration, I’m thrilled with how it turned out. AP and his team were incredibly responsive, and the writing process was surprisingly quick.
On a personal level, this experience has also boosted my confidence in writing in other languages. I’d love to explore more songwriting and singing in Punjabi!
I’m already excited about the future collaborations I work on!
Your craft is based on heartfelt lyricism and simple yet impactful production. Anything you’re keen to experiment with in your music to shake things up in the future?
There are two things I’d love to experiment with.
When it comes to lyricism, I’m really happy with where I am right now, but I’d love to explore more stories—especially personal ones beyond just love. I hope to bring more of that into my next few songs.
On the musical side, I want to collaborate with more artists. Working with AP this time taught me so much, and I know it’s made me a better musician. I want to keep growing in that way because collaborating with different people helps expand my perspective, introduces me to new sounds, and inspires fresh ideas. So, those would be the two things I’d love to explore.
Your music has managed to blur cultural boundaries taking indie Indian music to a more global audience, what’s been your most memorable fan moment?
My favourite fan moments will always be when my music is intertwined with all their happy moments. During my India tour last year, a guy reached out to my team with a request. He wanted to propose to his girlfriend during my song “Alag Aasmaan.” It was a song that meant a lot to them and I said yes immediately.
They got married earlier this year and while I couldn’t go, I’m thrilled that I got to be a part of their proposal.
Finally what’s one question no one has asked you that you wish you were asked
I’m a huge nerd when it comes to lyrics and the hidden meanings behind them. I love incorporating Easter eggs into my songs, artwork, and even music videos sometimes—so I’d love to be asked more about those!
Connect with Anuv Jain : Instagram
Connect with AP Dhillon : Instagram
