Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; December 19, 2015)
An earnest singer inside a recording studio and a live-wire on stage. That's Sunidhi Chauhan for you. After achieving several milestones in her career spanning 20 years, the songstress has now become selective. She is kick-starting a new chapter in her professional life, which will mark many firsts for her. Ahead of her live performance for the Times of India at Bandra Fort on December 21, she talks to Bombay Times about her journey so far and her future plans - acting and composing. Excerpts:
You began your career as a child prodigy. How do you look back at your musical journey?
It's been a great, fun-filled, roller coaster ride. I have learnt a lot along the way - from listening to singers and those I've worked with. I have grown as a singer at every step and have made some good friends along the way.
But aren't friends in this industry known to be fickle?
It's difficult because you are constantly busy in showbiz. You only get the time to bond when you bump into each other. You can't expect more. It's up to you - whether you call them friends or acquaintances. There is no definition as people have their own kind of friendships. For me, it's either there or not there.
Do you feel any different from your colleagues as you are not a trained singer?
I didn't have a guru, but I would like to have one now. I learnt and understood music by listening to different styles of singing. I am a decently learned singer, but I'm hungry to learn more. And that is why I would like to get into the routine of reporting to a guru and do riyaaz.
What do you think of the current music scene?
It changes every two years not just the kind of music we make, but also the audience's taste. There are times when the melody may not be great, but the lyrics are interesting and if both aren't great, the treatment catches your fancy. Listeners are into detailing now and have an understanding of different genres of music. Besides, change is constant and I like to keep myself updated.
Why have you cut down on your singing?
There is no denying the fact that I have become slightly selective. I don't want to sing too many songs as that's not the mark of a true artiste. Even if it breaks my heart to say no, I decline them when I feel that I have attempted a similar genre before. When I listen to a scratch and like the voice of the singer who has recorded the track, I tell the composer to retain them. It's not that I am into some kind of charity, but others also need opportunities. I want to sing special and better numbers. And I am getting the best of songs at this stage of my career.
Given the technological advancement in music, do you think it's easy for singers to break into Bollywood today?
It's never easy. Ultimately, it's your talent that takes you ahead in life. What's mandatory is to be a decent singer. An average singer is safe within the perils of a studio, but is vulnerable on stage as both your strengths and weaknesses get exposed. A song in a studio is treated and enhanced by technology. I would rather stop singing than go through something like that.
Many opine that songs of today aren't as soulful as before. Comment.
There shouldn't be any comparison. Songs of today will be hummed 10 years down the line like any old songs. I agree that the richness of melodies, inclination towards raagas and classical have declined. But that's till the time another change happens in the industry.
What gives you a high - stage or studio recording?
Both are equally important. Recording in a studio is like standing in a booth, visualising yourself surrounded by crowd. You have to feel the moment. Whereas on stage, you have to control your voice and emotions as you can't go berserk. I never pre-plan when I am performing on stage. At times I have sung better when I was in a bad mood.
What is that one thing that you despise while performing on stage?
I don't like to fool the audience. If I am asked to dance, I won't hold a mic and lip-sync. They will know when I am dancing to my songs and not singing. I will not pretend to do something that I am not. That's the least I can do.
Do you take success seriously?
I want to be free of all of that. My passion got me where I am today. I let my listeners judge me and it feels fantastic when they appreciate my efforts and singing
You are known to be well-turned-out always. How much do you care about looks?
I am a good-looking girl and want to be desirable - both for my songs and looks. I know people go crazy about me when I am performing on stage. Every woman wants to look good and I like it when heads turn for me. My taste in fashion is great; I can pull off both glam and the plain Jane look. I love myself and want people to love me too.
Would you like to try your hand at acting?
I am open to the idea now and am reading scripts. I didn't think of it earlier as music was my priority. I give my 100% to whatever I take up and nothing in between. Now that I have struck a balance, I can try other things along with singing. The acting bug, which has been passed on by my father, is working overtime since a year.
How about cutting an album in the West?
I am working on that. Everything is in the nascent stage and we shall talk about it at the right time.
You began your career as a child prodigy. How do you look back at your musical journey?
It's been a great, fun-filled, roller coaster ride. I have learnt a lot along the way - from listening to singers and those I've worked with. I have grown as a singer at every step and have made some good friends along the way.
But aren't friends in this industry known to be fickle?
It's difficult because you are constantly busy in showbiz. You only get the time to bond when you bump into each other. You can't expect more. It's up to you - whether you call them friends or acquaintances. There is no definition as people have their own kind of friendships. For me, it's either there or not there.
Do you feel any different from your colleagues as you are not a trained singer?
I didn't have a guru, but I would like to have one now. I learnt and understood music by listening to different styles of singing. I am a decently learned singer, but I'm hungry to learn more. And that is why I would like to get into the routine of reporting to a guru and do riyaaz.
What do you think of the current music scene?
It changes every two years not just the kind of music we make, but also the audience's taste. There are times when the melody may not be great, but the lyrics are interesting and if both aren't great, the treatment catches your fancy. Listeners are into detailing now and have an understanding of different genres of music. Besides, change is constant and I like to keep myself updated.
Why have you cut down on your singing?
There is no denying the fact that I have become slightly selective. I don't want to sing too many songs as that's not the mark of a true artiste. Even if it breaks my heart to say no, I decline them when I feel that I have attempted a similar genre before. When I listen to a scratch and like the voice of the singer who has recorded the track, I tell the composer to retain them. It's not that I am into some kind of charity, but others also need opportunities. I want to sing special and better numbers. And I am getting the best of songs at this stage of my career.
Given the technological advancement in music, do you think it's easy for singers to break into Bollywood today?
It's never easy. Ultimately, it's your talent that takes you ahead in life. What's mandatory is to be a decent singer. An average singer is safe within the perils of a studio, but is vulnerable on stage as both your strengths and weaknesses get exposed. A song in a studio is treated and enhanced by technology. I would rather stop singing than go through something like that.
Many opine that songs of today aren't as soulful as before. Comment.
There shouldn't be any comparison. Songs of today will be hummed 10 years down the line like any old songs. I agree that the richness of melodies, inclination towards raagas and classical have declined. But that's till the time another change happens in the industry.
What gives you a high - stage or studio recording?
Both are equally important. Recording in a studio is like standing in a booth, visualising yourself surrounded by crowd. You have to feel the moment. Whereas on stage, you have to control your voice and emotions as you can't go berserk. I never pre-plan when I am performing on stage. At times I have sung better when I was in a bad mood.
What is that one thing that you despise while performing on stage?
I don't like to fool the audience. If I am asked to dance, I won't hold a mic and lip-sync. They will know when I am dancing to my songs and not singing. I will not pretend to do something that I am not. That's the least I can do.
Do you take success seriously?
I want to be free of all of that. My passion got me where I am today. I let my listeners judge me and it feels fantastic when they appreciate my efforts and singing
You are known to be well-turned-out always. How much do you care about looks?
I am a good-looking girl and want to be desirable - both for my songs and looks. I know people go crazy about me when I am performing on stage. Every woman wants to look good and I like it when heads turn for me. My taste in fashion is great; I can pull off both glam and the plain Jane look. I love myself and want people to love me too.
Would you like to try your hand at acting?
I am open to the idea now and am reading scripts. I didn't think of it earlier as music was my priority. I give my 100% to whatever I take up and nothing in between. Now that I have struck a balance, I can try other things along with singing. The acting bug, which has been passed on by my father, is working overtime since a year.
How about cutting an album in the West?
I am working on that. Everything is in the nascent stage and we shall talk about it at the right time.
