‘Lucky to have a fanbase that expects good music from me’
It has been 12 years since Monali Thakur started singing for films, but she has been singing “professionally” ever since she was a kid. The 33-year-old singer, who won a National Award for the song, Moh Moh Ke Dhaage (Dum Laga Ke Haisha; 2013), feels “lucky” to be able to build a fanbase for herself.
“People don’t realise that it’s a journey in its own way, to be able to have people who expect good music from you. I feel lucky to be able to have that fanbase that expects good stuff from me,” she says, adding that fans’ expectations only push her to keep creating better music.
“I feel very excited, and I look forward to creating more stuff, and eventually give out good music. People do expect a lot, and I try to give in to their expectations. But in this industry, it is very important for me to keep my integrity intact, and that’s why I do take my own sweet time,” says Monali.
She recently released her independent single, O Re Naseeba, which has crossed 4.5 million views on YouTube since its release last month.
Optimistic about the future of independent music, she says, “With the digital revolution, every artist has now the chance to showcase their music to the world. They are on their own, which is how it is in the West, too. Avenues are opening up abroad.”
“So, if the artist fights the bad side of the ecosystem and is diligent in his struggle, then our music will be showcased in the world charts, and not just Bollywood music, but independent music as well,” she signs off.