Roshan Prince Birthday: From a clever audition trick to becoming singer, actor and director

Punjabi entertainment has seen many talented artists, but few have managed to move smoothly between singing, acting, songwriting and filmmaking like Roshan Prince. As the popular Punjabi singer, actor and producer celebrates his birthday on September 12, here is a look at some lesser-known facts, career milestones, awards and the journey that made him a familiar name in Punjabi entertainment.

Story Behind His Name

Roshan Prince is the professional name of Rajiv Kaplish, and the story behind it has a personal touch. His stage name combines “Roshan,” taken from his grandfather Pt. Roshan Lal, a noted classical musician, and “Prince,” his childhood nickname. This family connection eventually became the identity that millions of Punjabi music lovers know today.

Roshan Prince auditioned for the reality singing show Awaaz Punjab Di, the competition was huge, with thousands of aspiring singers waiting for their chance. Determined to improve his chances of being called for the audition, he came up with an unusual strategy. He revealed that he filled out multiple registration forms, using different permutations of names, hoping that one of them would be called earlier.

Interestingly, the name that eventually made it through was Roshan Prince. What started as a clever way to navigate the massive audition crowd went on to become his professional identity and the name that would later be recognised across the Punjabi entertainment industry.

From Reality Show Winner to Punjabi Star

Roshan Prince’s big break came in 2006, when he won the first season of the reality singing show Awaaz Punjab Di. The victory opened the door to his professional music career, followed by albums and popular songs. His breakthrough continued with tracks such as “Look Lak,” while songs including “Dil Darda,” “Bas Tu” and “28 Kille” helped strengthen his connection with listeners.

His musical education also sets him apart. He studied music formally, including postgraduate-level studies, and was a student at the Faculty of Music and Fine Arts at the University of Delhi. Interestingly, politics never attracted him during his student years.

“Student Politics Never Interested Me”

In a 2020 interview, Roshan Prince openly spoke about his college life and said, “I was never interested in politics or works carried out by any party.” He also revealed that, had he not become a singer-actor, he could have pursued teaching music. That focus on music eventually became the foundation of a career spanning nearly two decades.

Awards That Marked His Success

Roshan Prince has earned recognition at the PTC Punjabi Music Awards. He won Best Folk Pop Vocalist for “Dist Sangrur” and also received recognition for songs including “Mr Pendu.” In another major milestone, his collaboration with Milind Gaba, “Jatti De Nain,” won Best Duo/Group at the PTC Punjabi Music Awards. In 2018, he also won Best Folk Pop Vocalist (Male) for “Pekeyan Nu.”

From Actor to Director

Roshan Prince later expanded his career into Punjabi cinema, appearing in films such as Sirphire, Fer Mamla Gadbad Gadbad, Ishq Brandy, Laavan Phere and others. His creative journey took another turn when he stepped behind the camera with 13Teen, his directorial project, proving that his ambitions went beyond performing.

Spiritual Turn in His Music

While his early identity was strongly connected with Bhangra and romantic Punjabi pop, another side of Roshan Prince has emerged over the years. His musical journey also includes devotional and spiritual compositions, reflecting his classical foundation and an evolving artistic outlook. From a reality-show winner to a singer, actor, producer and director, Roshan Prince’s career graph is a story of constant reinvention.

- PTC PUNJABI