Still consider Honey Singh my brother: Raftaar

Mumbai, March 23 (IANS) Rapper Raftaar says he still considers his former band mate Yo Yo Honey Singh, who failed to recognise him at an event, as his brother.

Raftaar and Singh played in the rap group Mafia Mundeer and crooned several hit songs such as "Sharabia" and "Kamli kamli" feat Rimz J.

Singh, who was away from the limelight due to his battle with bipolar disorder and alcoholism, commented that he did not know Raftaar at a award function that was held in Dubai last week. Singh made this remark when asked about what he felt when Raftaar called him an "insecure little girl".

Asked for his opinion on Singh's reaction, Raftaar told IANS: "I have always maintained that working with Mafia Mundeer was by far one of the most memorable experiences, and although Honey Singh feels he's on this pedestal, I still consider him (as) my brother."

The "Swag mera desi" crooner called it a "petty issue".

"It is really petty for me to be addressing an issue which actually requires no reasoning. Everything is on the public domain and if Honey Singh fails to know Raftaar it's maybe because Raftaar is still very much Dilin Nair who is not affected by stardom or moolah," he said.

"Maybe the overnight success has got the better of his ego and he has forgotten where he hails from and the inner circle who stood by him when no one ever believed in him," Raftaar added.

Raftaar, whose real name is Dilin Nair, says he is not "insecure by another's success because music is the universal source of love, brotherhood and positivity. There's no room for hatred or jealousy".

He said that a true musician treats himself as competition and doesn't feel insecure about what others are doing.

On the work front, the "Dhup chik hori se" rapper has done a number for the upcoming film "Baaghi" starring Tiger Shroff and Shraddha Kapoor.

"I'm (also) keeping myself busy with my first solo album and I'm going to be announcing some exciting international collaborations this year," he said.