'The people around me could sense that, I was not happy': Anuv Jain opens up about the cost of chasing success

Anuv Jain has long been the voice of quiet emotions known for the songs like ‘Alag Aasmaan’ (2018), ‘Gul’ (2019), and ‘Ocean’ (2019). Recently, Jain shared his new song 'Inaam,' a track that moves away from longing and turns inward. It speaks about growing up, slowing down, and understanding what success truly means.In an interview with Mid-Day, when asked whether the song was written for himself before the stage lights and applause, Jain did not confine it to one phase. He explained that the song carries layers of emotions, all at once. In his words, “I think Inaam is all of these things because it is a thank you to my audience, family, friends, and the universe for making all of it possible.” The song reflects gratitude while embracing every version of him that existed before and after success.Jain openly acknowledged that the song holds a confessional core. He admitted that it reveals emotions he had not expressed publicly before. Summing up that honesty, he said, “People get to see a part of my life that I haven’t really spoken about — the emptiness you feel when you’re constantly chasing or not taking a moment to realise what you’ve achieved.” Through the song, he allows listeners into a space where ambition and emotional exhaustion quietly coexist.The song also reflects Jain’s evolving understanding of fulfilment. He believes success only gains meaning when you choose to recognise it. Explaining this shift, he shared in the same interview, “Fulfilment comes because you assign some value to it.” He spoke about how passion fuels the chase, but once goals are reached, that intensity can fade unless you pause to appreciate small victories. “You start caring about what you’re doing and you start being happy with these little wins in life. We chase many things with passion, but when we finally get it, that passion or the value of that fizzles out,” he added.This realisation unfolded gradually for Jain. He said the change began around a year and a half ago, when those close to him sensed something was off. Reflecting on that period, he recalled, “Even though I wasn’t really ungrateful for what was going on, the people around me could sense that I was not happy. Somebody very close to me [reminded] me that what I have now is something that I wanted so badly.” A simple reminder stayed with him: “So at least enjoy it while you have it.” That thought now forms the emotional backbone of his music.