This iconic singer has not just mesmerised the entire nation with her melodious and powerful voice, but has fans crooning along to her melodious voice the world over. Having sung over 45 Telugu hit songs, 35 Tamil hit songs, 30 super hit renditions in Kannada and a few in Malayalam she has been ruling the chartbusters across the south of India, besides of course hitting an all-time high with over 1200 Hindi and other regional songs for popular films.
She took to the stage like wild fire at the I Am Home Tour Alive India Concert Season 10 in Bangalore that celebrated 14 incredible years of empowering musicians and driving social change through music. We caught up with Sunidhi Chauhan as she opened up to us about her evolution from a young talent to a seasoned artist, her thoughts on the ever-changing music industry, her physical transformation that has redefined her stage performances and more.
Looking svelte and oozing oomph and energy, Sunidhi sang all the hit numbers she’s known for including Dhoom Machale, Sheila Ke Jawani, Desi Girl, Lucky Boy Chaliya, Girls like to Swing and Kamali among others. Her Jhoom Barabar, Come To Me and her English numbers like Unholy transitioning from Hindi to English got her fans in a frenzy. She even wooed her local audience with her Kannada film hits like Anisutide, Joggaiah and Ra Ra Rakkamma, ending it with the Hindi version of the cult song Saami from Pushpa 2. Here are some excerpts from an exclusive tete a tete with the popular songstress.
- What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and how did you get your start?
Singing was just a hobby when I started. My dad’s friends told him that she has a great voice and if you take her seriously she has a great future. Slowly, I started singing a little more from the age of four. I performed many shows on stage and in one of the shows Tabassum ji noticed me and called me to Mumbai introduced me to Kalyani Anandji and then I started working in the academy as a singer. And that’s how it started. - Please share some highpoints from your 28 years musical journey?
All the 28 years have been a highpoint in my musical journey. I will never forget when I won Meri Awaz Suno in 1996. My whole intention then was to be able to see Lataji once in my life. I didn’t know back then that I will be here today. She was going to come later in that show and present a trophy to the winner. So I decided to really work hard and get to the finals and meet her. My dream came true when I won and I think I’ve come a long way since then. - What inspired you to venture into South Indian film music?
I love singing Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam songs and I’m good at grasping diction. I have had such great songs in all the south Indian languages. I think I have been really lucky to have been a part of so many iconic songs from super hit films across all the four south Indian languages especially Telugu and Tamil. Besides that I also feel I’m extremely lucky to have been a part of this new age music. - How do you think Indian music has evolved over the years?
I’m very happy to be a part of the new time for music. People have different tastes now and music sounds different. There’s an audience for everything and there’s a huge space for Indie and independent music. One can’t really plan in the field of music. One has to go with the flow and keep learning and keep experimenting new styles. I keep learning new things about myself and that helps me to grow. Whenever I perform on stage and sing a new song, it’s not just another show for me. It is something that keeps me going. Indian music is changing for good. Like the circle of life, old things come back to new and just when you get used to them they go away. It’s like a circle. - How do you ensure authenticity and soulfulness in your voice everytime you sing?
I’m grateful that you feel like that. All I know is that it all comes from my heart. I always sing from my heart. - Do you handle your social media yourself?
I have a team but I handle it myself. Whatever I post is posted by me. - Have you ever thought of acting in movies, especially now with your svelte and completely toned figure?
I have got offers but they’re all about playing a musician or a singer, which I am already. I want to do something different. If I do get a good role opportunity I will definitely think about it. - Your stage presence is immense and infections and everyone loves the energy you bring with you on the stage. Do you do any special preparation before your performances?
I work out. It’s very necessary for me as it changes my mood. It wakes me up and makes me ready. I also workout every day even otherwise. I also dance every day and practice a little singing in the car. - Tell us about your upcoming projects.
I have sung for many movies that are coming up including Kannada, Tamil and Telugu songs. Nowadays the scene has changed. I may sing and record songs now and I don’t know tomorrow which movie or which actress it will be screened on. I myself am surprised when it’s released in a particular film. So many of them are coming out soon. It’s not the same as it was in earlier days. - Tell us something about the making of the iconic song kaise paheli hai ye zindagani that was picturised on Rekha?
I did not know that Kaisi Paheli was going to be shot on Rekha ji. Raima Sen was present during the recording of that song and I assumed it would be probably shot on her. I loved Rekha’s performance when I finally saw the first edit and she made me sound even more mature on screen. It was a great feeling to see my song come alive on Rekhaji. - Tell us about a recent collaboration you worked on and enjoyed?
I’ve collaborated with Shreya Ghoshal for Chhaila and I loved it. - Tell us about AI in music?
I’m ok with it. If used tastefully it is fine. - Your favourite Indian musicians?
Girish and the Chronicles, Shalmali Kholgade and many others. - Your favourite International artists?
Miley Cyrus, Alicia Keys and John Lenon. - Dosa or Paratha?
I love dosa. We have dosa every Sunday.