Singer Shalmali Kholgade, known for hits such as Balam Pichkari, Lat Lag Gayee, Daaru Desi, Pareshaan and Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai, is exploring a more personal side of her artistry through independent music. While she remains grateful for the songs that have become part of people’s celebrations, she says going indie gives her the freedom to be heard on her own terms.

“Playback taught me so much, and I’m proud of every song I’ve done. You understand the character, the scene and what the composer and director need, and then you give your voice to that story. With my own music, the story starts with me,” she says, adding that she is involved in everything from lyrics to visuals. “I don’t see indie as moving away from Bollywood; film music gave me my audience, and I’d happily sing a great film song if the right one came along.”

She confesses, that she is, "genuinely grateful for my songs", and adds, "Balam Pichkari is played every Holi and Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai still gets people dancing at weddings. To be part of people’s celebrations like that is a gift and I’d never want to distance myself from it. People often think of me as the voice of high-energy, fun party songs but that’s only one part of who I am. I grew up training in classical music and I love softer, more reflective songs just as much.”

For Shalmali, independent music is also about creative control and ownership. “Agency isn’t something anyone hands you; it comes from owning your work,” she says, expressing the hope that more women will write, produce and take charge of their careers.

Acknowledging that she cannot match a film’s marketing budget, the singer says she is learning to reach audiences differently. “I don’t think I’ll ever match a film’s marketing budget and I’ve made peace with that. What I can do is be smarter and more personal about how the music reaches people. The other thing I’ve realised is that a song doesn’t have to live only on streaming platforms. As a multidisciplinary artist, I’m very interested in building worlds around my music, whether that’s through fashion, a new craft or collaborations that genuinely share my values."