DOP Karan Deep Singh on Haryanvi Industry & Life Behind the Camera

DOP and cinematographer Karan Deep Singh opens up about his journey, working on Haryanvi music videos, the reality of life behind the camera, wedding photography and the future of the Haryanvi entertainment industry.

Karan Deep Singh has spent years working behind the camera, turning ideas and songs into visuals. From Haryanvi music videos to wedding films, his work has taken him through different kinds of projects, artists and production environments.

In a conversation with Peddler Media, Karan spoke openly about his journey, the challenges of working as a DOP and what he believes it takes to create good visuals.

Karan Deep Singh From Music to Cinematography

Karan Deep Singh has been working in the industry for around six years. His journey, however, did not begin with a clear plan to become a cinematographer. Growing up in a musical environment, he initially had an interest in becoming a singer.

He also learned to play the tabla and has performed at gurudwaras and religious functions. Eventually, his interest moved towards the visual side of music and filmmaking. Over the years, he has worked on several Haryanvi music projects involving artists such as Amanraj Gill, Amit Saini Rohtakiya, KD Desi Rock and Bintu Pabra.

One of the early projects he discussed was Amanraj Gill’s Thikane, which he recalled reaching around 8–9 million views at the time. He has also worked on projects including Dabya Ni Karde and other Haryanvi songs.

DOP Karan Deep Singh Selective On Projects

For Karan, taking up a project is not only about getting another music video on his portfolio. He wants the final visual to match the vision he has in his mind.

During the conversation, he explained that the Haryanvi music scene currently has different visual directions. There is a strong desi style associated with parts of Haryana, while artists from urban areas and outside the state are increasingly looking at a more pan-India visual approach.

Karan believes the industry needs more clarity about what it wants to communicate visually. For him, filmmaking is not about simply putting a camera in front of an artist. The visual language, framing, lighting and overall treatment have to support the idea behind the song.

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What Does a DOP Actually Do?

One of the key discussions in the episode was about what happens behind the camera. According to Karan Deep Singh, the director may have the concept, but the DOP plays a major role in converting that concept into visuals ans process can involve meetings, references, location discussions, lighting plans, framing, colour grading and coordination with the production team.

Ideally, the team starts discussing the project well before the shoot. References are shared, locations are considered and the visual treatment is planned before the camera starts rolling. But Karan believes the most important tool for a DOP is not the camera. It is the eye.

He explained that someone who wants to become a DOP should first understand what their own eyes are seeing. The camera comes later. If there is no visual thought behind the frame, technical equipment alone cannot create something meaningful.

Karan Deep Singh UP Shoot That Could Have Gone Wrong

The conversation also moved into one of Karan’s most memorable and tense shooting experiences. While travelling to Uttar Pradesh for a music shoot, Karan and his team were working in fields during winter. By the time they were leaving, it had become dark.

While taking their vehicle out, they encountered two people who questioned them about who they were and why they were there.

The situation became uncomfortable, particularly because of the location and circumstances. According to Karan, things could have become much more serious if someone connected to the shoot had not arrived and identified them as part of the team.

For a production crew, such situations are an example of the risks that can sometimes come with shooting outside familiar locations.

Camera Is Responsibility, Not Power : Karan Deep Singh

The hosts also asked Karan an unusual question: when a camera is placed on your shoulder, does it give you a feeling similar to holding a gun? Karan laughed and said it does not feel like that. Instead, he sees the camera as a responsibility.

When a DOP takes charge of a project, they are responsible for translating the director’s vision into visuals. The job is not simply to record what is happening but to understand what the final frame needs to communicate. That responsibility, according to Karan, changes the way you look at the camera.

From Music Videos to Wedding Films : Karan Deep Singh

Karan’s work extends beyond the Haryanvi music industry. He also runs a wedding company called Story & Emotions. The name comes from his belief that a wedding is not simply an event to photograph. It is an important emotional moment for two families.

For the families involved, the wedding day can be one of the biggest days of their lives. Karan believes that a photographer has to understand that emotion to properly capture the moments. That thinking became the foundation behind the name “Story & Emotions” — because a wedding is ultimately about the story and emotions within it.

His wedding work has also taken him to different cities and destinations, including Mumbai, Goa, Chennai and Kolkata, along with several locations across North India.

Reality of a DOP’s Life

Glamorous side of filmmaking often hides the reality of what happens on a shoot. A project planned for one day can sometimes take two or three days. Travel, long working hours, difficult locations and changing production requirements are all part of the profession.

Karan Deep Singh also spoke about the lighter side of the work. For him, enjoying the process is important. He believes that if everything becomes too formal, the work can start feeling difficult.

His experience across music videos and weddings has given him an understanding of both the creative and practical sides of production.

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Karan Deep Singh Advice to Aspiring DOPs

For young people trying to enter cinematography, Karan’s advice starts with observation. Before learning cameras, learn to see.

He says aspiring DOPs should understand framing, lighting, editing and colour grading. He also believes sound is an important part of understanding how visuals work. But technical skills are only one part of the journey, bigger requirement is curiosity — the internal drive to keep learning and creating.

There will be a stage where repeated practice becomes boring or frustrating. Karan’s advice is to keep going through that phase. For him, giving up at that point means missing the opportunity to develop real expertise.

Karan Deep Singh on the Growth of Haryanvi Entertainment

The conversation also looked at the bigger picture — the growth and future of the Haryanvi entertainment industry. Karan Deep Singh pointed out that Haryanvi songs are increasingly being heard outside Haryana and are also finding their way into Bollywood projects.

He believes the industry has reached a point where production budgets and ambitions have grown significantly. At the same time, he raised an important question about the lack of clear commercial data around the Haryanvi entertainment industry.

According to him, there should be a proper analysis of the industry’s overall economic value, including music, entertainment, live shows and television. During the conversation, he gave a rough personal estimate of the broader industry’s possible value, while acknowledging that a proper industry-level analysis has not yet been done.

Who Is a Real Star?

For Karan Deep Singh, being a star is not only about numbers. Views and audience reach are one measure, but he places significant value on honesty, loyalty and consistency. He believes a person who stays committed to their work, especially during the difficult phase of their career, deserves recognition. In his view, someone who continues working, keeps learning and refuses to give up can be a star regardless of how famous they are.

Karan Deep Singh Take on Industry Behaviour

Karan Deep Singh also spoke about the different personalities he has encountered while working in the industry. Some artists become friendly and maintain a strong brotherhood with the people they work with. Others remain formal or are naturally introverted.

He also acknowledged that, like any industry, there can be people who present different sides of themselves depending on the situation. His advice is straightforward: stay direct, focus on your work and do not spend too much energy waiting for someone else to make your career happen.

If a system does not work, he believes it is better to change your approach and keep moving.

Why Karan Deep Singh Liked “Peddler Media”

Karan had already come across Peddler Media before appearing on the podcast. He said he first noticed Peddler Media through a music-related post. What caught his attention was that the platform was not only focused on digital promotion but was also publishing articles and stories around people working in the industry.

The podcast made the approach even clearer. Instead of only featuring people who are already famous, For Haryanvi, By Haryanvi aims to create conversations with people who have contributed to the industry but may not always be recognised by a wider audience.

Karan described the idea as a positive and different approach because it gives space to people who are still building their careers or who may have stepped away from the industry for different reasons.

More Than Just a Podcast

The conversation reflects the larger idea behind For Haryanvi, By Haryanvi — documenting the people, experiences and stories that are shaping the Haryanvi creative ecosystem. Karan’s story is not only about the songs he has shot or the cameras he has used. It is about the work that happens behind the final frame.

From understanding a director’s vision to dealing with unpredictable shoots, from wedding stories to the future of Haryanvi entertainment, his journey shows the many layers of a creative career that audiences rarely see and perhaps his simplest message is also the most relevant: stay honest with yourself and keep working.

The full conversation with Karan Deep Singh is available on Peddler Media’s YouTube channel as part of the For Haryanvi, By Haryanvi series.

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