Shreya Ghoshal and Arijit Singh received Awards for playback singing in Aashique 2 at the lifeOK Screen Awards, 2014. While their numbers were already chartbusters, neither was expecting to get the first honours of this season. Deebashree Mohanty spoke with the duo. Excerpts:
Shreya Ghoshal
Yet another award for you. How does it feelIJ
Every award is special because I treat all my songs as special. I record more than 230 songs a year and I can recall the first few lines of each one of them. Most songs don’t see the light of day because the film gets shelved or the album doesn’t materialise but I remember all my songs. Every award is welcome. It makes sure that I still get offers.
There are a lot of young singers who have forayed into the music industry. What are your thoughts on the current breed of singersIJ
Competition has tripled in the last few years and I am very excited to be a part of this industry at a time when talent is brimming. Tough competition means that the shelf life of singers diminishes, the work gets distributed. There is a big talent pool of singers for directors to choose from. While a lot of young singers get a platform to perform at a very young age, this also means that many veterans are pushed into retirement. In the entertainment industry, there’s no room for complacency.
This is also a reason why receiving the best playback singer, female, Screen Award for 2014 was so special. It makes me feel wanted. It make me feel that Shreya still has an audience.
What is the thing that scares you the most about showbizIJ
Being sidelined as an unprofessional is a scary reputation for anyone in this industry to carry. In the music fraternity, if you have lost many opportunities because you were being finicky about recording schedules, about a particular composer or actor to sing for etc, then you get tagged as unwanted. That is a very dangerous situation to be in. Bhagwaan na kare that I ever come under such a bracket. It will ruin all my hardwork.
Tell us something about Sun Raha Hai from Aashique 2 for which you won your first award of this season.
It is a soulful and romantic song. When Mithoon asked me to sing for Aashique 2, I was on cloud nine. The original film was well known for its musical compositions. I knew he would have something special for me and he did. Sun Raha Hai is a perfect romantic song. Both the songs were chart toppers and an award in themselves.
You have sung for 15 actress in the industry. Is there a personal favouriteIJ
I love singing for Vidya Balan and Kareena Kapoor as I feel my voice naturally matches them. There is not a lot of sound mixing that needs to be done for them. With other actors, I need to make that extra effort with voice modulation.
I have never sung for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Would love to do that once before I retire.
You said your father is your inspiration...
There has not been a single outstation tour that I have done without him. For health reasons, my mother cannot accompany me wherever I go to perform but my father is always there. He comes because he loves watching me perform and because he is concerned about my safety. Many times I tell him, “hum ab bachche nahin rahen...” and he retorts,‘jante hain par hum abhi tak aapke papa hai...’.
I am not ashamed about being escorted by my family. I am proud that they are there for me even now.
Are you expecting other awards this yearIJ
The way my audience react to the concerts is the biggest prize I get. I am very happy with all the love that I have received from them. Mere liye itna hi kaafi hai.
Arijit Singh
This is your first award in this industry. How does that feelIJ
I am super happy. Never been happier. I was told this industry is like a black hole with no life or love. But I have had an amazing run so far. I have met some astounding composers and singers and made some special friends. Everyone is warm and very welcoming to new talent. I have spent a lot of time in this industry and it feels like home.
How did this film happenIJ
I have sung a few numbers for Jeet Ganguly and he thinks very highly of me. One day, he asked me to meet him and Mahesh Bhatt in his recording studio over a cup of coffee. I was not sure if there was an opportunity for me somewhere but I went in fully prepared. Towards the end of the meeting, Jeet dada informed me that I had been selected to sing for a film under the Bhatt banner. It was my first big break and it was unbelievable. At that time, I had no idea that I had been signed up for Aashique 2, a musical.
Were you expecting this awardIJ
I was nominated alongside other veterans. Till the award is yours you can never be too sure. But Tum Hi Ho was an extremely popular track. It had been a chart topper for eight weeks on a trot. My phone hasn’t stopped buzzing ever since this song happened to me. There are offers for playback singing and concerts pouring in. Everyone wanted me to recreate Tum Hi Ho. So, it was not too surprising that I was the final pick for Best Playback Singer, Male Award.
What is your USPIJ
My naturally husky voice is something different within the industry. I try to introduce new styles even on a flat track. That is what sets me apart.