Shalmali Kholgade is the voice behind movie stars

By Asjad Nazir

TALENTED playback singer Shalmali Kholgade made a stunning Bollywood debut in 2012 with her multi-award wining song Pareshaan from Ishaqzaade. The dynamite diva has since delivered explosive hits including Balam Pichkari (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani), Lat Lag Gayee (Race 2) and Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai (Sultan). Her songs, including Beech Beech Mein from recent release Jab Harry Met Sejal, are entertaining music fans around the world and clocking up tens of millions of views on video sharing sites like YouTube.

With more big musical numbers on the way, Shalmali is set to scale even greater heights and is one to watch. Eastern Eye caught up with Indian cinema’s secret weapon to talk about music, her hit songs, influences, future plans and her powerful voice.

When were you first connected to music?

I am from a very musical family so music has been a part of my life since I was a child, but I’d say I made my connection with music with Phil Collins’ album But Seriously. My brother bought the album when I was little and we would listen to it endlessly. He also explained the lyrics to Another Day In Paradise to me, which was the first song I ever understood the meaning of. That made me appreciate the beauty of lyrics.

Who were your musical influences growing up?

I heard a lot of western pop music growing up. Queen, Michael Jackson, Bryan Adams, Spice Girls and Phil Collins were the artists my brother introduced me to. My Hindi music repertoire was limited to the music of films Bombay and Roja. My parents listened to a lot of Indian classical music such as Kumar Gandharva, Arti Anklikar and Kishori Amonkar. So that was another variety of music I heard growing up.

Did you expect your Bollywood debut to become such a blockbuster?

All I knew at the time of recording Pareshaan was; one, that I was recording with the music composer of Dev.D; two, that the song was beautiful; three, I realised I could sound like that and sing Hindi songs too. So no, I didn’t expect my first song to become such a rage.

Which award or praise for Pareshaan meant most to you?

A lot of people told me they could sense the newness of love in my voice as regards the delivery of the song. That and other compliments made me thrilled to know I had done the needful.

Apart from your debut song, which tracks have been closest to your heart?

Daru Desi is one of my favourites. My first time singing a Pritam song. Shayarana, is one of those songs that is very dear to me, especially since I told Sajid Wajid that someone else should sing it since I wouldn’t do it justice. But they were insistent I sing it. And then I did. Lastly, my latest release Beech Beech Mein holds a very special place in my heart because it is the kind of track that I associate with. Funk is my thing.

You have sung a number of blockbusters. Could you feel in the studio they were going to be big?

Some people have the knack of guessing which song will work. Then again there are times when something completely unexpected becomes a hit. All said and done, I haven’t ever had the ability to gauge a song’s likability. I’ve given my 100 per cent to every song I’ve sung. When I recorded Shanivaar Rati and Besharmi Ki Height for

Main Tera Hero, I told Sajid bhai that I thought Shanivaar Rati would become a hit. Well, it did well, but Besharmi Ki Height did better.

How do you generate so much vocal power?

It’s a voice thing. I was born with it. But I think it is definitely also because of the kind of music I heard and was influenced by. Western music uses a lot of the big open chest voices, which we don’t use very naturally for Indian music. It’s because I sang a lot of English music growing up that I developed a strong chest voice. I practice a little everyday. Whether it is a basic warm up or an effort to expand my vocal range. But a little practice is what I believe in. Not the six to eight hour riyaz that some people recommend.

What does live performance mean to you and which one has been your most memorable?

Being in front of a live audience means everything to me. It’s the reason why I am a musician. Every live show comes with its own pulse. It’s an experience to feed off a live audience’s energy and steer the show accordingly. One of my most memorable shows was part of my US tour in 2013 in San Jose. It was a beautiful auditorium with a perfectly involved seated audience.

Do you prefer singing the big dance numbers or slower ballads?

I love both equally. I know I do more dance numbers as those are what music directors find my voice most suited for. Although I started my Bollywood career with a rock ballad, I love the relatively spaced out arrangement in a ballad that gives me more room to vocally improvise within a ballad. But I also love catchy dance numbers that make me and my listeners move.

You have appeared as a judge on TV. How do you feel about musical reality TV shows?

I think TV reality shows are a wonderful platform for artists to showcase their talent and get guidance. I have been on the panel for Indian Idol Junior and Dil Hai Hindustani. Both these shows have recognised and encouraged talented people to pursue their craft.

Is finding great songs the biggest challenge you face as a singer?

As a singer my job isn’t to find songs. It is to make the songs I have to sing, great songs. Yes, I don’t think all the songs I get to sing are necessarily great songs. But all I know is I have to make the most of the opportunity I have.

What are your unfulfilled musical ambitions?

I would love to work with AR Rahman on a song. I want to design my singing and dancing act and tour the world with it. I want to be known for my independent music in the long run. That’s what I spend most of my time doing

these days.

Can you see yourself doing projects in the west?

That’s what I would ideally like to do. But I’ll need to make a beginning here. I am writing my independent English music and planning to put together an album soon.

Who would you love to sing a duet with?

I would love to sing a duet with Ash King. I love his r’n’b singing and enjoy similar music. I think we would sound great together.

Does it frustrate you that sometimes blockbuster songs are more associated with the film stars than the singers?

That is just the way things function in India. On the flip side, actors publicise the songs we sing. So it works in our favour to have them do a video on our songs.

What can we expect from you for the remaining part of the year?

I am collaborating with a lot of artists to write and produce independent music. My focus has been and is going to be that. So hopefully perhaps you’ll hear some singles this year or early next near.

What is the best advice you ever received?

“This will also change.” That’s something my father told me when I was in school. He put it

into a story somewhere, just so I didn’t walk out on him uninterested. But it stuck like nothing else. It’s the one thing that keeps me going – knowing that my failures are as temporary as my successes.

What inspires you?

People turning their life around inspires me. Beyoncé and Kangana Ranaut are two ladies who inspire me. Beyoncé, because she is a musical legend and is everything I aspire to be. Kangana because she is one of the most driven women I’ve seen. She doesn’t seem to take no for an answer. That inspires me.

What are your passions away from music?

I love knitting and crocheting. I love making handmade presents for the people I love. I am quite crafty and spend a part of everyday doing something artsy.

If you could learn something entirely new, what would it be?

I want to learn to be a self-sufficient musician. I want to play the piano and guitar sufficiently well, to produce my own music and mix it too. I want to know everything that goes into making music, not just singing it.

Why do you love music?

Gives me the chance to stretch my limits and brings out the best in me. I can speak my mind and touch lives with it. It moves me, it lifts me up and burns me all the time.