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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