For many artistes, it takes a lifetime to bag a Filmfare Award. For you, it’ s been 12 years since you started out as a playback singer in Bollywood. Are you overly happy with this top-notch recognition or you feel it’ s a little late in the day?
I started my career in the year 2002. So technically, it has been 15 long years of my dedication to this music industry. Seriously, I never dreamt of being a playback singer. For me, getting a Filmfare Award was a bonus. You know, I have always fancied a Grammy and I look at winning this prestigious Filmfare statuette as a stepping stone to my final destination. Whether or not it is late in the day, I am nobody to judge that because I believe, all good things come to when you are ready for them.
Is it important to be in influential camps or under the aegis of a godfather to get a plum break at the right time at the right place, because in the age of abundant talents, often the industry loses out on a bonafide vocalist due to lack of proper scope, exposure and backing?
WelI, I don’ t believe in camps. Neither do I subscribe to the concept of godfathers. I only stick to talent and determination. I have always lived by example. I was never mingling into social circles with a sugary voice, begging for work. I have never played by the rules. Yes, I have paid the price for that in terms of taking my own time to make my own mark. But that’ s my belief system and I think it clicked for me though most people initially denounced my ideologies and thought I was too much of an idealist.
Till recently, the debate on star-kids versus rank newcomers from outside was raging on. What’ s your take on this? Even you had made inroads through a competition and never got an easy launchpad like a home production. Were you ever treated like a stranger on the industry’ s threshold when you were a fresher?
See, I can only speak for myself on this issue. As an individual, I can never go asking around for work inside the industry as I just cannot massage people’ s egos. I truly believe that your inner abilities should emerge in front of the mike and not by chasing people. Yes, I have felt like an outsider and I actually felt like I didn’ t exist for this music industry. I don’ t know the exact reason behind this but I don’ t harp on those feelings anymore. I am more dedicated towards my work and creating music because that’ s what makes me happy.
What musical genres or which artistes you generally prefer listening to? What or who’ s currently on your I-pod?
My musical choices are eclectic. From pop, pop rock, classic rock to a bit of hip-hop, dance music and jazz, I have a generous mix on my playlist. The artistes am currently tuning in to are definitely my favourites. To overcome a lousy day, the best of Billie Holiday works wonders. I just love lending an ear to her. Among the current artistes, I like some music of Kendrick Lamar, Charlie Puth, Ariana Grande, Sam Smith and Adele. The two artistes from our generation that I really worship are definitely Beyoncé and Pink. It’ s not just because they are great singers but because they are great performers as well. My all-time favourite as most aficionados of the 90’ s would agree is none other than the king of pop Michael Jackson.
Singers like you, Anushka Manchanda, Jonita Gandhi, Sona Mahapatra, Nandini Srikar, Shilpa Rao, Kavita Seth have a wonderful tonal quality at the base which is a far cry from the hitherto reigning sickly-sweet, shrill voices. Do you think such sonorous texture and huskiness are instrumental in redefining the yardsticks of mainstream playback in the present times?
I have always had a husky voice with a sort of volume at the base and I think, initially this wasn’ t widely acceptable. Back in 2002, when my professional journey took off, my voice was labelled as a pop diva’ s thing and hence, offers hardly came my way for mainstream singing. I did bump into a lot of people enquiring if I had a bad WWthroat or simply brushing me aside with the remarks that I do have a beautiful voice but maybe it doesn ' t match the popular tastes. Although actresses were sporting short skirts but the kind of voice ruled on public demand was a silken, satin, feminine one. So, I don ' t know if that is a trend and I don ' t care either if it is one. Fact is, I am here to stay and I think my voice is an asset. It sets me apart from the crowd. It gives me an identity and I love it. Today, I have learnt to use it as a tool and mould it in my advantage to croon with power. When I sing, I feel every note and I hope to ring the same bell in people ' s hearts. So yes, I would like to call my vocals a soulful expression.
How tough is it to sustain as an independent artiste in the blitzkrieg of Bollywood movie music which enjoys a monopoly to outshine and eat into the spaces of other platforms of music?
It is tough dear. Well for that matter, nothing that you desire in life comes easy on your platter. I guess good things always tag along with a price, which is to work really hard to sustain not just as an independent performer but as an artiste in any given industry. So I fathom, we need a bit of both. It is actually very important to effectively balance the two out. I think after delivering a lot of labour, witnessing failures and possessing a tenacity of not giving up easily and being absolutely obstinate, I have been able to pedal both at this point of my life.
Is any album / single in the works?
I am constantly working on singles. So, you may definitely expect a string of songs coming out this year. It
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