‘SINGING HAS BEEN A LIFE-LONG DREAM’
Actor Parineeti Chopra, who makes her singing debut in her next film, says she never got the chance to “sing professionally" till now
She has had a rollicking career reer since her Bollywood debut, Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl (2011). Now, Parineeti Chopra is set to add d another dimension to her career with her singing debut inn her next film, Meri Pyaari Bindu. Herein, ein, she talks about singing,ging, working in Golmaall franchise and more. e.
How was the experience of singing?
Honestly, it was nervewracking. I am always singing. I have even sung on stage before but singing on the mic is on another level. Now, I understand why playback singers are geniuses because for that, you require talent. Thankfully, I think I performed okay for the first song. Every one – including Sachin-Jigar (music composers), Maneesh Sharma (producer), Akshay (Roy), Kausar (Munir) and, most importantly, my parents – were happy. They haven’t seen the song yet, so it’s a surprise for them. I am excited as it has been a lifelong dream but I never thought I would be a playback singer. I always wanted to sing my own song so I am happy.
You are a trained singer, right?
Yes, I have learnt Hindustani classical music for many years. So, I am a trained singer but obviously, I never got the chance to sing professionally anywhere, especially after becoming an actor. But every director I have worked with or whoever has heard me singing, knows how passionate I am about music, but it somehow never translated [into a song].
Has Priyanka (Chopra; cousin) been an inspiration vis-à-vis singing?
Yes, but not only her, my respect for everyone — from all the playback singers to all the actors or whoever has sung — has increased even more, because now I have a greater understanding of how a song is recorded, and how it works. All those artistes are an inspiration, but I hope that my journey is my own. I hope that people love and appreciate the song. Also, since we have worked very hard on the video, I hope they like the video too.
Do you think your voice will be compared to Priyanka?
I don’t think so. I think our audiences are amongst the most intelligent people. Whether it’s a song or a film or an outfit, they judge you on the basis of that. So, I don’t think there will be comparisons.
Did you find anything particularly difficult while singing?
Aisa kuch nahi hai. (Not at all). Honestly, bahut maza aaya gaana gaane mein (I had a lot of fun while singing). I sang the whole song two times and it went well. Also, I really wanted to make sure that there should be no use of technology to help my voice. I wanted to sing as perfectly as I could. I had fun, so there was nothing particularly difficult.
Since your friends Alia Bhatt and Shraddha Kapoor have already sung in films, is there a sense of healthy competition vis-à-vis singing?
Not really. Songs have their own life. Everybody is singing their songs because it’s good for the film or because they are passionate about music. Everybody has their reasons. As for me, I knew even before I started acting that I am passionate about singing. I haven’t done this because others have done it before me. I sang this song because it was perfect for my character and it suited my voice. I didn’t think of any other external factors.
Are you having a blast on the sets of Rohit Shetty’s film?
Oh my God, it’s a crazy set (laughs). I now understand why Golmaal is such a mad franchise. The people who make it are so much fun and amazing. There are games and pranks being played on set, and there is so much love and loyalty within the team. Of course, it’s a huge film but everything happens with clockwork precision. No time is wasted while you are working on the sets. But I am having a blast (smiles). It’s one of my all-time favourite sets.