Prakriti Kakar’s latest song Hawa Hawa is trending. She speaks to SHAlINI SAKSENA about her journey in Bollywood
Your new song Hawa Hawa from Mubarakan is trending. Is it a remix from the 80sIJ
Yes, it is a remake but I would like to call it an inspired version more than anything else. I would not like to comment on remixes since a few more are out this year. It is an 80s song; I am 90s kid and generations after me don’t even know about it. Our parents would know about this legendary song so I am glad that this song has been recreated.
You already have a hit and people want something more from you. Is that toughIJ
Yes, it is very tough. Every singer has to go out and sing a scratch. This is a dicey situation every singer has to go through and one doesn’t know if your voice has been used. One can’t get emotionally attached to a song since two-three singers are used and at the end of it, it can be your voice or not.
Everybody in your family is a singer except your father...
That’s correct. Somebody has to listen to us singing. So my father is our first audience. My mother is a music teacher, so it was something that my sisters and I imbibed. My elder sister is a playback singer. My twin — Sukriti — is a singer too.
Was Bollywood your destinationIJ
No. Music was my destination. But being in Mumbai, it naturally followed if you want to be a singer. We started signing when in schools and took part in competitions. One thing led to another. We did ads, jingles and did chorus for some very big songs. We were around studios and that is how we got our break. Though singing for Bollywood is great, I want to do some independent music.
Was there lot of struggleIJ
There is lot of struggle. You can be anybody’s daughter or granddaughter or even a sister, nothing matters. You have to prove your worth. Today, Hawa Hawa is trending, but I am already thinking of my next project since that is what people expect. You can never get complacent. So the struggle continues. You can never get comfortable.
You have worked with Ankit Tiwari, Sonu Nigam and now Mika. What have you learntIJ
It has been amazing that I have worked with such amazing singers at such a young age. And yes, each song that I have done with them has been a learning experience. I have been very lucky in my journey. I want to experiment with every genre. I have sung slower numbers, sensuous songs, emotional songs and now Hawa Hawa has completely changed my genre. Now I am getting a little adventurous. This teaches a lot.
Have you achieved fameIJ
I am never satisfied with my performance. I feel I have more to give. I am only two-three year old in the industry and still have a long way to go. But the industry has given me so much appreciation, so in that sense I have come a long way.
Scope for non-film songs.
Today, a lot of people are listening to singles. As much as you have to depend on films for fame, one has to do one’s own self. Singles are doing well if they are promoted and marketed well. Some do even better than filmi songs if it a good song. If you see iTunes top 100, half of them would be non-film songs. But this was not happening five years back. Non-film songs give scope to singers to make their kind of song since they are not working under any guidelines.
What are you working on these daysIJ
Besides Bollywood, I am working on my single. I want to do some independent music. Both Sukrit and I are big supporters of it. It is a good phase for non-film content right now since people like to listen to singles other than film songs.