PALAK
MUCHHAL
Give us a brief on how the initial thought of becoming
a singer came to you and how it all started.
I started singing at the age of two and a half. There
was a family function going on and everyone was
taking part in it and doing something. I told my
mother that I also want to go to the stage, being
completely ignorant about my singing talent, she
thought to the maximum that I would recite a poem. I
went to the stage and sang 'Chalri Sajni Ab Kya Soche',
a song sung by Lata ji and everyone got surprised
and startled!!! Fortunately, my mom took it very
seriously and started my training in Indian Classical
Music to polish the gift I had received from God!!!
Coming from a non-musical background, what
were the challenges you had faced in your
initial years while you first began singing?
I belong to a Marwari family and hence it was not
a usual thing for someone to get inclined to music.
My family is a completely non- musical family but
my mom didn't leave any stone unturned to get me
trained in music. I started learning Indian Classical
Music at the age of 4 from late Satya Narayan Mishra
ji. I used to travel twice in a month to Mumbai to
get lessons from him. I also learnt Urdu to get my
pronunciation clear. I have also learnt Voice culture
from Brijbhushan sir! It was always a straight path
for me! I had decided to become a playback singer
at the age of 5!!! When you are determined to do
something and work towards it with all your heart,
then the challenges and struggles leave your path!!! :)
Which was the first break you received and how did
it happen? Is there a story you would like to share?
I got my first break because of Salman Khan sir!
When I met him for the first time, he told me that 'you
are soon going to sing for my film' and he fulfilled
his promise the very next day by making me sing
a small part in the song 'Meherbaniyan' in his film
Veer, which was included in the at the last moment
after which he recommended my name to Aditya
Chopra sir and made me sing 'Lapata' in his film 'Ek
Tha Tiger' for Katrina Kaif composed by Sohail Sen.
If Salman sir was not there, my journey would not
have been this smooth! His belief in me is a blessing!
It is said that you met Salman Khan the first time in
Mumbai. How did he recognise you and your voice
before he introduced you to Aditya Chopra?
I consider Salman sir as a blessing in my life!! I
met him for the first time when I was 14 through
the renowned writer Rumi Jaffery uncle, and
ever since then Salman sir became my mentor,
my guiding angel! He laid a clear path in front
of me by specifying what's wrong and right for
me in this industry! He recommended my name
to directors! The bond is so strong today that his
opinion matters the most to me after