Malayalam actor Rajesh Hebbar's rock covers strike a chord with young fans
Malayalam actor Rajesh Hebbar, known for his decades-long presence in Indian cinema and television, has found a new audience as a rock musician. The Palakkad-based actor, who has appeared in 65 films across five languages, is now going viral for his covers of classic rock songs, from Scorpions' 'Wind of Change' to Black Sabbath's 'Paranoid'.
Hebbar's tryst with music began in his college days at Government Victoria College, Palakkad, where he played in a rock band called Primitive Knights. Active from the late 1980s through the 1990s, the band performed across south India, earning a reputation as one of the region's most energetic live acts. Hebbar recalls the band's humble beginnings: "We had to use tree branches to prop up our drums. Our beginnings were primitive, but we liked to think of ourselves as knights in shining armour."
Music, for Hebbar, was a natural extension of his acting ambitions. "I loved being on stage. Singing lets you connect with the audience instantly," he says. "I was wild on stage. I consider myself an okay singer but a good performer. That's what connected with people and kept them coming back."
After Primitive Knights disbanded in the early 2000s, Hebbar continued his acting career, which began with his big-screen debut in Chithrakoodam (2003), directed by Pradeep Kumar. He gained popularity playing scheming villains on television, including his debut serial Orma (2004), directed by KK Rajeev. His roles in Sathyan Anthikad's films like Manassinakkare and Innathe Chintha Vishayam remain memorable to audiences.
A career highlight came in 2015, when Hebbar played 17th-century Kerala poet Unnayi Warrier in Priyamanasam, directed by Vinod Mankara. The film won the National Film Award for Best Sanskrit Feature Film at the 63rd National Film Awards.
His viral music journey began recently when Hebbar posted covers on Instagram, starting with a recording of himself singing 'Knights in White Satin' at a private gathering. Encouraged by the response, he continued sharing more covers. "This time, they went viral," Hebbar says. "Young people from across Kerala filled the comments, and I even had listeners from Mizoram. Most youngsters in Kerala don't watch television serials, so they're genuinely surprised when they discover that the middle-aged bald guy from those serials is singing Metallica and Pink Floyd."
Currently preparing for his next film, produced by Aashiq Usman, Hebbar says he wants to challenge age-based stereotypes. "It is not a question of how old you are, but how much you love something."
Hebbar's story is a reminder that creativity knows no boundaries, and that art can bridge generations. His covers have not only introduced him to a younger audience but also brought classic rock to listeners who might not have explored the genre otherwise. With his unique blend of acting and music, Rajesh Hebbar continues to inspire both his longtime fans and a new generation of followers.
