Navigating two names and many worlds, Shilpa Rao has existed in a state of contradiction — classically trained yet instinctively contemporary, intensely disciplined yet emotionally fluid, present everywhere in popular memory and almost invisible as a personality. Her voice has travelled further than her face, from the haunting minimalism of Tose Naina in Anwar (2007) to Chaleya from Jawan (2023). Sitting down for mid-day’s The Bombay Film Story, the National Award-winning singer speaks about choosing music as a way of life rather than hobby. Excerpts from the interview.

Shilpa Rao: I was actually born Shilpa. That’s what everyone at home always called me. Apeksha came later, when I went to school and had to fill out official forms. So, that became the name on my school records and 10th standard certificate. But when I got my passport made, everything officially became Shilpa Rao again. Apeksha literally means expectation. It felt heavy. I’ve always been someone who prefers being in the background, doing things at my own pace, and not carrying the burden of expectations. Shilpa felt lighter.

Rao: Jamshedpur is a unique place. It’s a Tata township, and most people there are professionals — engineers, doctors, teachers. The only flex parents have is education. That creates an environment where ideas matter. You have XLRI [Xavier School of Management], Loyola School, film clubs, and theatre culture. We grew up watching classical maestros like Parween Sultanaji and Ustad Bismillah Khan sahib. There were no phones, no distractions, just conversations. That’s what shaped us.

Rao: It was my first education before the alphabet. My brother Anurag is the better musician; he’s a jazz pianist. He knew what he wanted at three years old. I didn’t want to do anything! But music became my safety blanket. My father always said, ‘There are two lives — one with art and music, and one without. Always choose the one with art.’ Even if you don’t make a career out of it, it enriches your life. Music becomes a friend. 

Rao: He could be strict. Once he tore down posters of Led Zeppelin and Leonardo DiCaprio in my room because I hadn’t practiced for a week. He said, ‘The point is you didn’t even realize you hadn’t practiced.’ What truly made him happy wasn’t success or awards, but my desire to learn. He believed music isn’t a hobby. Once I had said music is my hobby, and he was furious. His thinking was that anything that would deter me from pursuing my music should not exist in my life.   

Rao: He is an engineer, he also has an MA in music. He heard Ustad Amir Khan live in 1972, and it transformed him. He believed in being an educated musician. 

Rao: Yes, we were visiting Mumbai on a holiday. My mother got his landline number through a friend and called him. It was my birthday, and he invited us home. No industry connection — just kindness. I sang a ghazal he had composed in Raag Durga, written by Bashir Badr. He corrected me line by line, teaching me the ebb and flow of the ghazal right there. For a 13-year-old, it was magical. At that time, my stand changed. That meeting made me start taking [my music] seriously.

For Shilpa Rao, this year’s Diwali feels extra special, as she won the National Award (Best Female Playback Singer) for Chaleya (Jawan) at the 71st National Film Awards. She says, “I am glad that I will be at home this Diwali and get to celebrate with my family and friends. We will gorge on festive food and spend time together, which we don’t get to do often due to my hectic schedules.”

The singer, who was in Ahmedabad recently for an event, talks about celebrating Diwali in an environmentally friendly manner, life after winning the National Award, and more.

Shilpa believes in celebrating the festival “without causing harm to the environment and people around us.” She shares, “Diwali is a festival of lights and happiness. We should celebrate it consciously, without harming the environment through pollution and smoke, which adversely impacts babies and people having breathing issues. Also, in many parts of north India, winter settles in during this time, so the smog is very harmful for everyone. We should celebrate the festival with better practices, and without harming anything.”

Shilpa, who has sung blockbusters like Khuda Jaane, Ghungroo and Besharam Rang, shares, “This National Award is not just my award; it is for everyone who has been part of my journey for years. It feels special because it reflects the mutual appreciation from the jury, audience, critics and the fraternity for me and the song.”

Does she feel the pressure of expectations after this win? She says, “Hard work will always be non-negotiable for me, and I will never take things for granted. My approach will remain the same — making every song different while being myself. I am also looking for songs that challenge me and make me leave my comfort zone. I want to do something I have never done before. Nothing changes when it comes to my efforts, hard work and approach for my upcoming songs.”

She adds, "All my songs featuring Shah Rukh Khan have gained immense popularity, and winning a National Award for a song starring him is a beautiful feeling. He has always been appreciative of everyone and is a true team player. He is always an inspiration."

“As an artiste, it’s beautiful to see the audience connect with your music. Everything we create is for them, and when they sing and vibe along with us, it feels like everything has come full circle,” shares Shilpa Rao, who has kicked off 2025 with Edho Pesathaane, a melody she has sung with actor Siddharth for the movie Bun Butter Jam.

Interestingly, the song marks actor Vijay Sethupathi’s debut as a lyricist! In an interaction with us, the Kaavaalaa singer shares how women are influencing the music industry these days, why she wants to keep pushing boundaries and her preference for in-person recordings over virtual ones. Excerpts:

As a female artiste, one of the most important changes I have noticed is the greater exposure and opportunity for women in this field. When I started out, there were fewer places where women’s voices were given importance. I’ve noticed a change towards the breakdown of stereotypes over time. Things are slowly but surely changing for female singers. I hope we continue to move towards a space where stories and narratives are created that are fair and beneficial for all genders. These days, women are leading, creating, and influencing the music industry in ways that were uncommon in the past.

I didn’t get the chance to meet both Vijay Sethupathi and Siddharth while working on this particular song, but I’ve met them earlier, and those were memorable experiences. They are very knowledgeable, and our conversations covered topics like music, art, acting, and even food. We talked about how art has the power to bring people together emotionally, and they shared their thoughts on storytelling and how every form of art ultimately aims to connect with the audience. They are incredible artistes whose work I admire.

My process for choosing a song is very simple. I listen to the tune, and if I connect with it, I decide to go ahead. That’s exactly what happened with Edho Pesathaane. I will never forget the experience of recording it. Composer Nivas K Prasanna and I discussed the feelings expressed in Vijay Sethupathi’s lyrics, as it was more important to feel every word and allow that passion to resonate in my voice.

My current aspiration is to continue evolving as an artiste and explore new musical landscapes. I want to collaborate with diverse talents, experiment with different genres, and create music that deeply connects with listeners. Beyond that, I want to contribute to the growth of the music community by supporting emerging artistes and sharing what I’ve learnt over the years with them. I want to keep pushing boundaries while staying true to my roots, ensuring my music continues to inspire and resonate with people across generations.

There is a huge difference between virtual and in-person recordings. I prefer recording in the studio with the composer and the music team. These recordings provide a dynamic environment as everyone, be it the engineer, producer, or composer, participates and exchanges ideas in real time. It encourages a more natural flow of creation. You can start experimenting, adjust your emotions, and work together to figure out what suits the song best.

Ahead of her power-packed performance in Bengaluru, singer Shilpa Rao caught up with Bangalore Times for a quick chat. The singer, who has delivered back-to-back hits with songs like Chuttamelle, Kaavala, and Chaleya, speaks to us about the rise in Indie music, her growth as an artiste, and more.

Indie music represents everything that we are. It is extremely powerful. It's not just pop, it's not just a music video, either. You're talking about different genres that are coming from India. That's more of a representation of who we are as Indians. Everything diverse. And that's what I feel, that if there's music coming from all over the world, that same intensity is coming only from India because we have that much. So I think this is a great time to do this and it's just going to get better.

It's important to mingle with the crowd during a concert. Otherwise, they can just sit in the comfort of their home and watch us on their TVs or mobile phones. We go out on stage because it's supposed to be one unit, us and the audience. There should not be a barrier. We want a connection with them. For that, we go through intense preparation. It's a lot of phone calls, meetings, zoom calls, band rehearsals, light rehearsals, outfit trials, and more. It's unending.

I have always been of the understanding that growth cannot be measured. It's better to dive in and figure for yourself how much can you swim and how long can you swim. And we keep learning from every stage concert what to do, what not to do, what not to do more actually. All of us like to have an open-minded discussion about what can we do and what can we do to make it better. So I think that's a very open forum. I have my entire team who know we can put out a better experience for the audience. So I think we're still growing.

I believe that you figure things out when you're at that point. You don't need to overthink about producing a hit because you cross the bridge when you're there. So when I'm on the mic, I try and stop thinking and just go with what my instinct says, because you can do a lot of homework in terms of technique and trying new things which you've never done before. But then when it comes to recording, I think the lesser you think is better. So yeah, I haven't figured out the formula to success, and I don't think anyone really has.

Look at sports, for example. It's not always about rivalry, It's always about getting out there and winning. But again, there is so much nuance in it, and that only comes out when they are talking off-court about each other. And there's so much heart that goes into doing what you do. So being in a competitive sport, if you don't have that kind of rivalry, imagine music. How can you say someone is the best? It's impossible. There are no yardsticks for measure. For example, the number one tennis player won't go to the court and say, 'I'm number one, so I'm going to win this.' No, every day is different. Every match, every set is different. If that is so specific, you can imagine music is even more specific. So I don't think of rivalry. But, one thing that's constantly on my mind is, what can I do better and new that I've not done yet?

I think social media is bad in the sense that obviously life is not instant and if it is instant, then it passes by instantly, too. Starting with brewing your coffee which takes its own time to brew. You can't rush it. Sure, you could make a dal on the kadhai and also pressure cook it, but there'll be a huge difference between the both. And to even understand that difference, you need patience. Like, it's a very beautiful quote that nature doesn't rush, but still, everything happens and every task is completed. So we need to have that same thought, be it our relationships with our family, siblings, or friends. There's no instant absolution for anything. You have to fight the fight. You have to forgive each other. You have to embrace each other's good and bad as they do for you.

Shilpa Rao with husband Ritesh Krishnan in Lucknow

Since she sang her first playback song Tose Naina Lage Re in the film Anwar in 2007, Shilpa Rao has captivated music afficianados. Be it Khuda Jane from the Ranbir Kapoor-Deepika Padukone starrer Bachna Ae Haseeno, or Tere Hawale from Laal Singh Chaddha, Chaleya from the SRK starrer Jawan and Besharam Rang from Pathaan, Shilpa’s unusual voice has garnered much love and appreciation from her fans across.

Her love for Urdu poetry and ghazals is well-known and the singer has been a very successful independent artiste as well. In Lucknow recently, the singer shared thoughts on Lucknow, which also happens to be her sasural, to changes in the music industry, and more...

My first memory of Lucknow is from when my dad used to visit the city for work here. He would always bring back beautiful chikankari sarees or suits for my mom. Later, when I started visiting Lucknow for my concerts, I fell in love with the food and the language. There’s a charm and beauty in Lucknow that is truly special.

Art, in any form—whether it’s music, painting, dance, or poetry—brings people closer. That’s what I felt while working on the music platform. Music has the unique ability to cross borders and connect people, and that’s what made the experience so meaningful to me.

We listen to Pakistani compositions and songs, and they listen to our music. This exchange of music and culture has always existed and will continue, driven by a never-ending love for art and tradition.

The industry evolves every six months. There are constant changes, phases, and trends. It’s important to keep evolving and growing with the times to stay relevant in this ever-changing industry. There was a time when female voices were scarce in the industry. Now, there are many female-driven albums, songs, and even films. This is a beautiful change to witness.

Autotune is just a symptom, not the main problem. The real issue is that people aren’t taking the time to learn music properly. They’re not understanding the art and skill behind it. If people learn music well, the whole system will improve. So, the real problem is not learning music.

Every time I see people reacting to my songs, it feels surreal. That feeling never gets old, and it’s always magical to see how music touches lives.

It’s about creating equal opportunities for all genders. I want to see more independent, unique, and authentic voices coming forward. The more diverse voices we have, the richer our industry will be.

Shilpa Rao first sang for the Hindi film music industry over 17 years ago and since then, has had hits like Khuda Jaane, Kalank, Subhanallah, Bulleya, Ghungroo, Tere Hawaale, Chaleya and Besharam Rang among others to her credit.

In a conversation with us, this Grammy-nominated singer talks about creating a space for herself in the music industry despite her voice being termed unconventional at the beginning of her career. Excerpts:

Throughout my childhood, people said I couldn’t sing, and I believed them. Back then, I was learning to sing because I liked music. I never thought I’d be a musician. I wasn’t very goal-oriented, in that sense. Even now, I am learning music because it brings me happiness. Also, today, I don’t think much about what people say. I just believe in working hard. People can say whatever they want, but we must filter out the comments that are not relevant. If someone like Rashid Khan sahab would say something to me, I would listen and see value in it, but not from everyone. It's important to use your own mind, pick things that you're passionate about, work hard on that and listen to people who are wiser than you. Like, if Pritam tells me something, I will think hard.

I think it helped me when people said I couldn’t sing (laughs). On a serious note, my parents instilled in me the idea of having my own voice and opinions, which shielded me from being too affected by others’ opinions. My dad always believed in learning music because it enriches your life, and I still hold onto that outlook. My voice was nurtured by my parents, who were big fans of artistes like Begum Akhtar, Prabha Atre ji, and Parween Sultana ji. I was fortunate to have seen some of them perform live as a child. Listening to Farida Khanum was also common in our house. My parents instilled in me the idea of having my own voice and opinions, which shielded me from being too affected by others' opinions on my singing abilities. My dad always believed in learning music because it enriches your life, and I still hold onto that outlook. Attaching happiness, love and good energy to my songs translates to the audience, and that’s important to me.

For me, it’s about approaching each studio session as if it were my first. Every recording is a fresh opportunity to connect with music, like a child in a chocolate factory exploring new flavours. For instance, when I was first told about Kaavaalaa (Jailer, 2023), I wondered why Anirudh (composer Anirudh Ravichander) chose me for it, as it was unlike anything I had sung before. However, trusting the composer and director’s vision is crucial. With Besharam Rang (Pathaan, 2022), Siddharth Anand was confident about me singing it. That meant a lot to me. People have told me how much they have loved the song. Sometimes, it’s not just about singing for a movie, it’s also about the emotional attachment people form with the song. So, having faith in what you do is essential.

Yes, always. Artistes who have been in the industry for a long time, whether it’s Pritam, Vishal-Shekhar or Mithoon, are always open to inputs from singers. They’re willing to listen to ideas and suggestions because they understand that it can only enhance the work. I enjoy collaborating with new people as witnessing their spontaneity and energy in the studio is amazing. There’s a unique dynamic that emerges when you bounce off ideas and energy, and often, something magical happens when they listen to your input.

Every song requires dedication and hard work. But if I had to pick, Mudhi Mudhi Ittefaq Se (Paa, 2009) was particularly challenging. I worked with Ilaiyaraaja Sir for that song, and he is known for his discipline and perfection. Impressing him wasn’t easy. Gustakh Dil (English Vinglish, 2012) was also tough because it conveyed complex emotions. Bulleya (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, 2016), too, posed its own challenges, depicting a unique relationship dynamic.

I’d say "Manmarziyan" was definitely one of those songs. It felt tailor-made for me, and Amitabh (Bhattacharya) and I wrapped it up in just 30 minutes. It's quite rare for things to come together so seamlessly like that. Initially, it wasn't even called Manmarziyan, but as soon as I sang the first line, Amitabh immediately named it. Another quick recording was Chaleya. We finished the recording in just 20 minutes because we were both (composer Anirudh Ravichander) present, making decisions swiftly and bouncing off each other's energies. It really does make a difference when you have multiple perspectives in the room, including the composer, lyricist, and sometimes the director. When you're alone, it's challenging to navigate all those possibilities.

Tere Hawaale is an ideal duet. The film is not just about one character; it's about the parallel lives of Laal Singh and Rupa, intersecting and drifting apart. The song reflects this journey, where they finally acknowledge their need to be together. It took a lot of time to perfect. We started working on it before COVID in 2019 and experimented with different ways of singing the two lines, and then the final recordings were done. Aamir Khan sir felt that the last part should be from Rupa’s (Kareena Kapoor Khan’s character in the film) perspective to conclude the song properly. It was truly a collaborative effort.

She is the voice behind several chart-topping numbers, but still believes in introspection while making decisions. That is what makes the Tose Naina Laage, Khuda Jaane and Besharam Rang fame singer a music sensation in Bollywood and beyond. After taking the Kolkata audience on a melodious trip on Friday, Shilpa Rao spoke to CT about the mantra behind her flexibility, benefits of training early, her formula for success with Deepika Padukone and more. Excerpts:

More than the creative process, you need to be open-minded towards different genres. It’s very important to listen to all kinds of music without preconceived notions while connecting with it. Once you start doing that, it starts showing in your own music and that helps you develop varied styles.

It is very simple. We do the work together. I do half the work in the studios, she expresses it on screen. She makes sure to own my voice on screen. We share each other’s work. It is a two-way process.

The journey is entirely independent of each other. I think no one should compare anyone with anyone else. We need to focus on what we want to do and what makes us happy. To do this, one needs to introspect daily. Everyone should have their own path, their own voices because there is always room for new things.

Yes, no one has control over it. Once we release a song, it belongs to the audience. It’s all on you. We are just in control when we are working on the song. When I am in the studio, I have that song with me and I have the pleasure to live that song and have a great time. That is my time to have fun with the song. I have my party in the studio and nobody can take it away from me. Once it releases, it belongs to everyone else.

Everyone has been a mentor and a fun friend. I am happy that I have been able to befriend so many people on this journey – be it Pritam or Vishal-Shekhar. We have created a space where it is fun to be around each other and share our thoughts and music advice.

Training never ends; one keeps learning. I don’t see it as completely good or bad. Some take to it very nicely but for some it becomes an auto-pilot thing and later they lose that thrill of going on stage. It could be either case but learning from an early age is very advantageous. The sooner you start going to a school teacher, a guru to learn, the better. And when to get into the performance zone should be advised by the teacher or guru. They know it best.

It is amazing. There is a different charm and energy here. These people are so artistically inclined. It comes from the soil. They all have a soft corner for the nuances of art – be it music, dance, films or other artworks.

Like most members of the music fraternity, singer Shilpa Rao is devastated by the sudden death of singer KK. Rao met him around 10 days ago and cannot come to terms with the fact that he’s no more. “We met at a concert and I remember hugging him for two minutes straight. I didn’t know that would be our last meeting,” says the singer, who collaborated with KK for songs such as Khuda Jaane from Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), Koi Jaane Na from Hijack (2008), Oya Oya from Horn Ok Pleassss (2009) and Apna Bombay Talkies from Bombay Talkies (2013).

Talking about the bond she shared with the late singer, the 38-year-old says, “I believe a bond with a fellow musician is inseparable because their music lives on in our hearts forever. I was fortunate that I had the opportunity of opening his concerts. Watching him perform live was always a learning experience for me. The first time I met him after recording Khuda Jaane, we performed it live together. Even when I was new in the industry, he really supported me. He was a really supportive and caring person.”

Ask Rao if she felt he was unwell when they met recently and she says he looked fine. “I was just so happy to bump into him that we didn’t really catch up on other things,” says the singer, who considers Khuda Jaane her most memorable association with KK: “From recording the song in the studio to performing live with KK, it was a great experience for me. Khuda Jaane would have been incomplete without him.”

As a musician, Rao learnt several things from the Pal singer. “He always said, ‘Let your music do all the work, you don’t need to do anything apart from that (focussing on music). Always stay the same person you are and make sure your behaviour doesn’t change with time. Whether someone is new or established, treat everyone with the same kind of respect.’ I would hold on to these learnings forever,” ends Rao.

Shilpa Rao, who is noted for her popular songs Bulleya (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, 2016) and Manmarziyaan (Lootera, 2013), says she started her career with advertisement jingles rather than film songs for a reason.

“The first time I came to Mumbai, there were two people I knew— Hariharan ji (singer), who was my guru, of course, and Shankar Mahadevan ji (singer-composer). I loved what he (Mahadevan) told me when I met him: ‘Do one thing; just go and sing jingles for three years. Go to the recording mic, see what it feels like to record, learn that process’. Afterwards, he gave me my first song in Salaam-E-Ishq (2007),” she recalls.

The 37-year-old goes on to say that no good comes out of tags such as ‘overnight sensations’. “Fame, if it comes quickly, goes away quickly too. Life doesn’t come to you overnight, maybe once, due to beginner’s luck. You relish the process because, after working for a certain amount of time, it becomes like a job. The whole point is to enjoy,” Rao says.

She adds, “He (Mahadevan) got me on the path of doing things from the foundation instead of doing an overnight song and becoming an ‘overnight sensation’. The process of learning was not just to make me see it but to apply it for the rest of my life.”

Bollywood singer Shilpa Rao’s collaboration with composer-sitarist Anoushka Shankar last year, on the album Love Letters, got her a nomination in the ‘Best Global Music Album’ category for the 63rd Grammy Awards last year. The singer who has given chartbusters like Ghungroo (War), Meherbaan (Bang Bang!), Khuda Jaane (Bachna Ae Haseeno), Ishq Shava (Jab Tak Hai Jaan) among others, recently received the Grammy certificate.

She says, “For somebody who never felt since childhood that she would achieve anything, this was huge. Of course, the Grammy was never on my list, but when I was nominated, I was extremely happy and excited. ”

Shilpa believes it’s persistence that can take an individual a long way. “I think more than talent and hard work, persistence is the key because one has to work hard and never give up even when things do not go your way.”

Shilpa says that she has never looked at her songs as filmi or non-filmi. “Every recording is important to me because I am very emotionally invested in my songs,” she says.

Has the perception of people in the Hindi film music industry changed in any way because she has now got an international recognition? “Well, I have to say that everybody here was quite excited and happy. They were congratulating me from everywhere. Be it Sunidhi Chauhan, Shaan, Vishal Dadlani, Shekhar Ravjiani, Shankar Mahadevan, Pritam...everyone. This means a lot to me because I have worked with them, they are my friends and are a part of my life. We congratulate each other whenever we do things and that means so much to us. When I like a song by another musician, I pick up the phone and congratulate him or her. When people around you are happy to see your progress...that’s a very beautiful way of working,” she ends.

(L-R) Ayanna Witter-Johnson (cellist), Shilpa Rao and Anoushka Shankar

Her silken voice has not only won her several fans, but also a Grammy nomination, which she is “really proud of.” Her intention behind coming into the music industry was not to win awards or grab the biggest musical deals, but to simply sing and create great music. And that’s what Shilpa Rao strives to do even now. She feels that 2020 and the Coronavirus pandemic has only made her belief stronger-that you need only those many “bucks in your pocket” and even fewer things at home to lead a happy life. In a chat with us, Shilpa opened up about her recent wedding, her Grammy nomination and more. Excerpts:

When I came into the music industry, my only aim was to create good music. I never thought that I would become a popular singer someday or people would know me. I wanted to sing and create good songs and that is what I believe in doing even now. That’s how the Grammy nomination has come our way. We never set out to make an award-winning album, we just wanted to collaborate and make music that we believed in. And it has yielded results. When I came to know about the nomination, I first went online to confirm whether the news was true and after that, I celebrated it.

The legends of Indian classical music and other genres like ghazals dedicated their entire lives to reach that pinnacle. It requires a lifetime of riyaaz and undiluted dedication. Our current musical scenario in India doesn’t encourage that kind of musical upbringing. The music industry that creates stars and money has little space or patience to promote that kind of talent, and the classical genres don’t give you fame and money. So, it’s hardly surprising that there are few takers for that kind of music.

There is an entire industry that only thrives on creating music for quick consumption and that’s where the money is, but I can’t be a part of it. My friends tell me that I haven’t made the kind of money that I should have after being in this industry for so long. But I am happy this way. And 2020 has made that belief even stronger-that you don’t need that kind of money and ‘things’ to be happy. After surviving the pandemic, I can say that I have enough money to say ‘no’ to money.

Ritesh Krishnan and I were friends for a long time before we got married, so there is nothing that we didn’t know about each other. We were clear that we wouldn’t want to change anything after we tie the knot. Things have remained the same till now and I hope it stays that way in the future too.

Singer Shilpa Rao is happy to be starting a new chapter of her life. She got married to her long-time partner Ritesh Krishnan’s on January 27, and the wedding was a small ceremony.

Enjoying this new phase of her life to its fullest, Rao says, “Thankfully, both of us are not very ritualistic and we cherish what’s in front of us. Even growing up, in my family we always had a more open heart and mind about the things in front of us. It’s a good feeling to celebrate each day as it is. I am frankly not a big fan of weddings. I have not seen a single wedding ceremony in my life. I have been to my friends’ weddings and have always missed the ceremony. I always feel that it’s just the start of something and the tough part comes later. It’s not so much the wedding itself that you have to focus on. It’s the later days that you have to focus on... that’s the tough part. We will try to take it as each day comes.”

The Khuda Jaane (Bachna Ae Haseeno; 2008) singer has known her now husband for more than three years.

“We have known each other pretty well for the past three years. We have travelled together a lot and that’s the best way to know someone. I feel that yes, we are together, but if there is a side of him that wants to be alone and be by himself for a while, that’s very necessary. You have to not forget yourself in the marriage. No one should lose themselves in the relationship. The trick is to let the other person be themselves and I am hoping this will be a fun ride,” she says.

Even though the wedding is done now, a honeymoon is not in the picture anytime soon, reveals Rao.

“My vacation is going straight to the shoot since I have just started a music show. I think once I am finished in May, we can step out then but right now it’s back to back work,” she says.

Shilpa Rao, known for popular songs like Ghungroo (War), Malang (Dhoom 3), and Bulleya (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil) among others, got married to her boyfriend of three years, photographer Ritesh Krishnan, in a quiet ceremony at her home on January 25.

Speaking exclusively to Bombay Times, Shilpa says, “Our parents are senior citizens and therefore we chose to do a simple registered wedding at home. We kept it simple, decorated the house with flowers and my brother’s wife did my mehendi. We formally registered the wedding at around 5pm, and all my friends and family members from across the world joined in on a video call to see the ceremony.”

Shilpa has always been private about her personal life, and not many knew about her relationship with Ritesh. Sharing details about how they met, she tells us, “We met three years ago on (music composer) Pritam’s USA tour. Ritesh seemed to be an affectionate person, and we started hanging out together. On the first day that I met him, I felt that he was a chilled out guy, which was very attractive for me. We started travelling together in 2018, and did many shows across India.”

Ask her about how Ritesh proposed to her and she elaborates, “In October 2019, we were at a monastery at the top of the mountains in Ladakh. Ritesh said, ‘Let’s get married’ and I said, ‘Yeah’. That was really a beautiful place to have this conversation. So, it wasn’t slipping a ring on my finger kind of a proposal or going down on one knee, but it was just being one with the world.”

Ritesh was apparently a fan of Shilpa’s earthy voice long before he had met her. She shares, “His friends told me that he was crazy about my song Manmarziyan from Lootera. He used to play it at every party on repeat mode. That is sort of our song now.”

Shilpa and Ritesh have a common passion for travelling, but they haven’t been doing much of that in the past one year. “We keep looking at our passports and feel sad sometimes. On February 2, I’ll start the shoot of Indian Pro Music League (IPML), which goes on till May, and post that we will probably travel in June.”

The singer, who is “really excited about the show”, says, “On the show, I am in the company of contemporary musicians who I have worked with and been inspired by. When I’d discussed the wedding with my IPML family, they were kicked about it. They were probably more happy and excited than I was, and once we start the shoot, we will have a party on the set. So, I am looking forward to that.”

Singer Shilpa Rao has added yet another feather to her cap. Anoushka Shankar’s album Love Letters which has been nominated for the Best Global Music Album for this year’s Grammy Awards, also features a track by Rao. And she is absolutely thrilled with this development.

“We have been waiting for this day since quite a while. It has been a long journey for me as well as for the song. It is surreal. I have been trying to pin down one emotion but I don’t know what exactly I am feeling. It has added another thought in my heart that I cannot make any more excuses now. I just have to work harder,” she says.

Rao, whose track, Those Words, was part of Shankar’s album, is happy that Indian music is being recognised globally. “I’ve been learning Indian music since I was a kid and I have no qualms in saying that Indian music is one of the most progressive kinds of music in the world. It’s high time our own youth owns it, listens to it with pride and propagates it. Our youth is still not owning it entirely and they don’t find it cool. When you are born into a family, you inherit the entire legacy by virtue of birth. In the same way, when you are born as an Indian, you inherit the culture, the goodness and all the great things by virtue of being born in India. Sadly, we have not celebrated our music as much as we should have. But I am still hopeful. And with this news, maybe one young kid somewhere will look at our music differently,” adds Rao.

The awards will be announced on January 21, and the singer says that the nomination in itself is an achievement.

“It will be great if we win, and even if we don’t, we will keep doing what we do. Even if my song doesn’t work, it doesn’t throw me off from sitting and doing my riyaaz. I still do it. Failure is inevitable and if you are not facing failure, you are not doing something right. You need to pi** off people, you need to not agree with at least some people because that means you have a unique idea that represents you, and that is what artistes do. Doing something that works is an easy way out but being yourself is the most difficult thing in this world,” signs off Rao.

Shipla Rao's latest release Bulleya from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is already climbing charts. Though a high-energy track, it is inherently Sufi and soulful in its nature - which is one of the primary reasons for its widespread appeal. Shilpa's sombre, full-throated, yet expressive voice has a distinct charm and what makes her stand apart is that she modulates and experiments with her vocal texture to belt out numbers that make it to not just the charts, but also people's hearts. Her earlier releases include Meherbaan from Bang Bang, Subhanallah from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Khuda Jaane from Bachna Ae Haseeno, Malang from Dhoom 3, Mudi Mudi Ittefaq Se from Paa and Ishq Shaava from Jab Tak Hai Jaan. In a quick chat, the singer talks to us about Bulleya and more...

How did Bulleya happen?
Bulleya is Pritam's USP - the way he has composed it. He asked me to come and try out the lines and we did the song. Amitabh has written some beautiful lyrics and definitely, my inspiration comes from that and he way Pritam has put a tune to them. The combination of Amitabh-Pritam is fabulous and that's how Bulleya came together.

Your last Bollywood song was in 2014. What took you so long to come back?
Meherbaan for Bang Bang was my last. We keep doing songs, it's just that the release dates are not in our hands - sometimes a song releases in a month and sometimes, a year later. What is important is the newness that you bring to a song. And that is what I always try and do, so that the audiences have a new perspective and a fresh sound from me each and every time.

You don't have a conventional playback singer's voice. Has that worked for you? Or do you think, over the years, you have lost out on some songs because of that?
As far as Bollywood singing is concerned, I don't think this exists anymore, because each singer has his own way of singing. And I think every composer is actually welcoming that. I have been really fortunate that every composer I have worked with, has let me be myself and has let me express the song in my own way.

There are too many talented and young singers in the industry. Does that affect you?
I think it's a great thing. Film music is diverse these days and to cater to that I think you need a variety of singers bringing their own ideas and uniqueness into a song. What each singer can do is unique. Somebody else could do a similar thing, but in their own manner. So, I think it's a great time for musicians, lyricists, composers and singers these days. And each one has a unique way of expressing himself or herself.

What do you have to say about the kind of lyrics that are being written these days?
Well, every form of art is actually a reflection of the society, so, as the society keeps changing, our music, films, lyrics and art work also keeps changing accordingly. And, I think every time has its own highs and lows. I guess it also holds true for music. Some great work has come out this year and I really hope every composer is trying to put out his best work. It's always a pleasure to hear something great from people like Pritam, Vishal-Shekhar, Mithoon. I really hope music keeps reflecting our times.

How important are music and lyrics for a singer? Do these affect your work too?
Music and lyrics both are very important for a singer, because that's where our inspiration feeds off. So, when I go to sing a song the lyrics and the tune, actually inspire me to express myself in a certain manner. When I work with a composer or with a lyricist, it is really important for me to feel connected with the song and to feel inspired by it.