In April this year, Universal Music organized an opulent evening to celebrate the success of the much-acclaimed and talked-about collaboration between heartthrob Enrique Iglesias and Bollywood playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan on the song Heartbeat from the album Euphoria: Special Indian Edition. The Hindi version of the song is composed by Shameer Tandon.
From singing Ruki Ruki for Urmila in 1999 to Sheila Ki Jawani for Katrina in 2010, Sunidhi's full bodied voice has always created an impact. Sunidhi has come a long way since then singing over 300 songs.
VERUS FERREIRA met up with 28-year-old to talk about her beginnings, her music, her collaboration with Enrique and her future plans.
Let's go back in time, Sunidhi. What was your musical upbringing like and how did you make it into playback singing?
It was in 1996 that I won the music reality show Meri Awaaz Suno on Doordarshan. I bagged a recording contract for a children's album Aira Ghaira Nathu Khaira with HMV. I was just about 13-years-old then and didn't know what my next step was. After that I did a few songs here and there but nothing really clicked for me. I also did playback singing for the Hindi film Shastra after Aadesh Srivastava asked me to lend my voice to the song Larki Deewaani Dekho, Ladka Deewaana. This was followed by work on films like Gang, Veergati, Dahek, Bade Dilwala, Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat Shyam Benegal's Samar and Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Mission Kashmir. But that was nothing spectacular to what I was waiting for.
When did the big break happen?
Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi for the Ram Gopal Varma's movie Mast composed by Sandeep Chowta - that one song was probably my breaking point that put me into the Hindi film music circuit in a big way. By the time I turned about 19, I was established and had a foothold in Bollywood. (laughs).
At the video launch of Heartbeat
Who is the person in your life who has made you what you are today?
I would say TV anchor Tabassum, who spotted my talent and helped me shift to Mumbai. I also got a chance to play the lead singer in Kalyanji's Little Wonders troupe.
You are originally from Uttar Pradesh. Was your family also into music?
I was born in Delhi and my father is a minor theatre personality who pushed me into the music industry from a young age. I completed my schooling from Greenway Modern School, Dilshad Garden.
Which person was a turning point in your life?
It has to be Anu Malik and the song was Meri Zindagi Mein Ajnabi Ka Intezaar Hai for the film Ajnabi. In fact, I always wanted to sing those soft romantic numbers, but it was difficult for people to believe that I could do it as I was more into up-tempo songs. Anu actually fought for me and I am happy it worked in my favour so that everyone knows my capabilities. I also did another song Bhaage Re Mann after this.
Which is the most challenging song you have sung so far?
There have been so many that I can't pick one. I treat every song as if it's my first song. I try to be as creative as I can with my songs and bring in variety in my singing. That's why when people hear some of the songs sung by me, they are surprised when they find out that I have sung it. I like appreciation from people who seriously appreciate my songs and tell me about it. I feel my hard work has not gone to waste.
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