‘Khuda Jaane’ to ‘Kalank’: Singer Shilpa Rao on Her B’wood Journey

Video Editor: Ashish Maccune
Cameraperson: Sanjoy Deb
Camera Assistant: Gautam Sharma

Music plays an integral role in filmmaking by further conveying the emotion of a scene or communicating a part of the story. The Quint caught up with Bollywood playback singer Shilpa Rao, who most recently lent her voice to the title track of Kalank.

Rao’s journey started over a decade ago and she got her big Bollywood break with ‘Tose Naina’ for Anwar. Since then, she has been a part of some massive projects like Paa, Cocktail and Dhoom 3 among others.

We chatted with her about her run the music industry and what the process is like when recording a song. Watch the video to know more.

Ever since you came to Bombay, what has the journey been like for you?

I did some three years of jingles before ‘Tose Naina’ so the jingles obviously gave me some insight into how to record a song. Because doing a fresh song is not as simple and recording in a studio is not as simple as you singing at home or on the stage. Getting the hang of the tune is a little important for the singer because the moment you get to the studio it’s basically sprung up upon you. It’s not like you get the tune before you record it. Up until now, it’s still the same journey for me. There is a little apprehension and nervousness about what the song is going to be like and if I can sing it well. A little nervousness and fear is good actually.

Who’s the taskmaster in the music industry?

There’s Ilaiyaraaja sir, when I was doing ‘Mudi Mudi’ [from Paa]. He’s so particular about how he wants the song. Of course, there was Balki sir [who directed the film] there and he’s such a sweetheart. I think I went to the studio five times to do the song properly. So I had gone to the studio and Balki sir looked at me like… “You’re old enough to work right? Hope you’re not underage.”

Pronunciation has to be proper if you want to be a singer. So have you ever got an earful?

My father taught me how to read and write Urdu because of which my pronunciation and diction are clear.

So as a child you were clear you wanted to be a singer?

No, I didn’t want to be anything. I’d come to Bombay for the first time when I was 13 and I met Hariharan sir so that’s when things changed. You know, like a 13-year-old kid who is not doing much in their life and suddenly someone like him says you can do this.

I think ‘Khuda Jaane’ was the first song of yours that was a massive hit. How did that happen?

Ya… 2008. I still remember I was at the studio and [the director] Siddharth Anand was there and Anvita. I heard the song and it’s actually a complicated song. It’s not that easy and I felt that I’ll not be able to do it. I don’t know how Vishal and Shekhar could picture me in that song.

In the acting space, there’s still discussion on how female actors aren’t paid as much as their male counterparts. Is it true for the music industry as well?

Well, I think we do need equal representation. I am not saying we want more. I think there should be equal representation everywhere because it’s not that a woman is putting in less effort or less time or less energy into anything. I do definitely feel that if there’s a duet and both of them are equally putting in their effort into making the song, definitely there should be equal credit. It’s not extraordinary that you’re giving us credit it’s normal to give us credit.