Shashaa feels great to be Shraddha’s voice

By Natalia Ningthoujam

New Delhi, April 21 (IANS) It wasn't long ago when the audience saw Shraddha Kapoor grooving to "The humma song", sung by Shashaa Tirupati. Now the actress is back with the same voice for the upcoming film "Half Girlfriend", and the singer feels great if people like to hear her as Shraddha's voice.

After the hit track from "OK Jaanu", Shashaa is now winning hearts with her songs "Baarish" and "Phir bhi tumko chaahunga" from "Half Girlfriend", which again stars Shraddha. Does she fear that she will be only known as Shraddha's voice?

"Singers sing for various actors multiple times in their career. This is just my second hit in this industry (Bollywood), coincidentally both for Shraddha. In the past, I've sung for Deepika Padukone and Aishwarya Rai's films, Aditi Rao Hydari, Gul Panag and Nithya Menon among others.

"Furthermore, it would be amazing to give voice to Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, Anushka Sharma and Parineeti Chopra. As of now, I feel great if people like hearing me as Shraddha's voice and I'd love to sing another dozen songs for her if it means more 'Hummas' and 'Phir bhi tumko chaahungas'. We are for the people," Shashaa told IANS in an interview.

Apart from singing in Hindi, she has also successfully tried her hand at Tamil and Telugu songs.

How different is it to work in the south film industry and Bollywood?

"I suppose the only difference is that God has been kind to have given me a certain level of stability and prominence in the music industry down south, despite having no biological affiliation with the region, versus a career that's just begun for me in Bollywood. In terms of music, both industries are an amalgamation of melody, experimentation, technology, commercialism and some serious talent," she said.

Breaking into Bollywood was a gradual process for her.

"When I started off, I used to sing anything for the money with high hopes that the song would become a hit and catapult me to stardom, but that was me at 19. I've learnt so much since then and continue to learn from old and new talent so, I am glad that things are working out at a pace where I am now getting appreciation from the masses and the stalwarts. That has made the wait worthwhile," said the singer, who grew up in Canada.

Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman has been an important part of her musical career. The two teamed up for films like "Kochadaiiyaan - The Warrior", "Lingaa" and "Mohenjo Daro".

Talking about the maestro, she said: "He is a musical shrine. The level of emotional, musical and spiritual cognisance, stimulation and elevation one may experience there is inexplicable."

"After I record with him, I come back half dazed every time, and wonder if I really just sang what he managed to extract from me. He reveals capabilities that I myself am oblivious to. That's the magic of working with Rahman Sir, and that set of new found skills may be applied anywhere. He is also my go to person when I need guidance and direction."

The 29-year-old also uses her talent for good causes.

"I'd like to be associated with orphans and old age homes. In the past, I've raised funds for cancer patients and performed in charity concerts for terminally ill children and war veterans as well as organised campaigns for AIDS research. On a personal note, I would like to adopt a girl child sometime in the future, if God allows," she said.

(Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in)