Anuradha Paudwal
Soumya Vajpayee Tiwari (MID-DAY; March 14, 2017)

One of the most popular voices of the '90s, Anuradha Paudwal has been away from Bollywood's playback scene for 17 years; her last filmi song was Kismat Se Tum in Pukar (2000).

With several chartbusters in Tezaab (1988), Aashiqui (1990), Dil (1990) and Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1991) to her credit, the Padma Shri awardee doesn't intend to return to movies.

"I stopped singing for Bollywood when I was at the peak of my career. I gave it my best, but then decided to pursue my passion — devotional music. Moreover, I don't identify with today's film music. That's why I stay away from it," says the singer, who is fond of composer duo, Ajay-Atul's work, "Given a chance, I would like to sing for them."

Her 1990 hit, Tamma Tamma, from Thanedaar, has been recreated in Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt-starrer Badrinath Ki Dulhania and is now topping music charts. However, Paudwal is not in favour of the current trend of revisiting/ remixing old numbers.

"Earlier, I used to get upset with the way these remixes were done. They took away the essence and soul of the original songs. Gaane vidhwansak ho gaye hain (songs have a destructive tone nowadays). But now, I realise that this is how the newer generation expresses love. I wonder how they still appreciate Sufi music, which is so soulful," says Paudwal, and adds, "People make and sell trash in the name of trends these days."

Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan in the new version of Tamma Tamma