Music, dance, acting, she does it all. From learning Kathak as a child to writing a Spanish track for Jawan and touring worldwide, her journey is full of surprises. In this interview, she shares the struggles, small victories, and lessons that made her the artist she is today.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got into both music and acting? Did you start with music first, or acting? How did the other one come into your life?
Music for me started really early in life at around the age of five, when my Bengali parents, Bengali parents do, put me into classical music and dance lessons. I learnt Kathak under the tutelage of Pandit Birju Maharaj ji and Hindustani classical vocals from Smt. Sunanda Sharma Ji for a decade.
Acting came much later in life. I began acting in my own music videos that would have elaborate narratives. Around the end of 2020, a casting agent saw me in one of those videos and called to audition for an advertisement. That’s how the domino effect of everything that came after began.
Working on Jawan and writing a Spanish song for it must have been exciting. How was that experience for you?
The entire time I was shooting for Jawan feels like a dream. I can’t believe that happened. Jawan has given me some of the most beautiful people in my life and spectacular experiences. Working alongside some of the biggest names in Indian cinema taught me that with great success comes great humility.
I was lucky to be surrounded by people who didn’t make me feel like a newbie, but more like we were all on the same boat working towards the same goal. I ended up writing a Spanish song called “Mis Chicas” and singing it for the soundtrack of the movie because the director, Mr. Atlee, loved my voice and found out that I can speak and write in Spanish. He wanted me to craft a theme song for the girls that spoke about the bond that they shared with each other as well as SRK’s character, Azad.
Being nominated for a Grammy is huge! How did that moment feel for you personally?
While recording the songs for the album, Shuruaat, we had no idea that it would be submitted for the Grammy Awards. I literally woke up one day and received an email informing me that I along with the entire team that worked on the album, were nominated for the 2023 Grammy awards in the Best World music album category. I remember watching John Lgend announce the name of the album at the Awards. I was so excited and proud of my friends. It was a surreal experience. Though we did not win, the nomination itself paved the way to do so much more with my music.
Your music videos like Red are so visually stunning. How do you come up with those ideas?
The music video for Red was shot at my home and a clothing factory nearby. It was also during the first wave of Covid. Everything in Delhi was shut at the time, and we needed a creative outlet. I simply made a story on Instagram, asking for people who would like to help out with cinematography and direction as well as reaching out to friends who were dancers.
We choreographed the song together. I was lucky to have a director like Karan Kapoor on board, who helped bring together the visual aesthetic so beautifully. Red was also the first time I tried my hand at writing a rap verse in a song. I wanted it to show a completely new avatar of myself.
You’ve performed all over the world. How do you prepare differently for live shows in India versus other countries?
The only thing that I do differently in live shows within India and other countries is that I try to incorporate at least one song of the country that I’m playing in, so that the audience feels included and acknowledged and it’s also a tribute to their culture and tradition while I bring my own to them.
Balancing acting, singing, and songwriting sounds intense. How do you manage it all?
I believe my training in Kathak really helped me with acting. Kathak comes from the word “Katha” which means story. The dance form is a lot about storytelling through movements and expressions. Alongside this, I was also learning music.
So I believe I was destined to be an artist. Even though it is intense and exhausting, it is a dream to be pursuing my passions, fuel my creativity daily and financing my life through it too. It’s about managing your time well, being okay with letting go of some opportunities for others, and making enough time for vacations so as not to burn out.
You’ve done TEDx talks and live performances. Any moments from those that you’ll never forget?
For my first TED talk at VIT Pune, I had no idea what to expect and what to speak about. I landed up at the auditorium, and that’s when I found out what the theme was. I instantly made up my own story and called it “Finding inspiration in the mundane”. I chose to also sing a song that I had written for my mother. At the time, I was still an amateur at playing the guitar, but somehow I was unafraid in front of that live audience. I sang my heart out and also remember feeling choked up while singing the song about mum. It was my first TED talk and a very heartfelt performance combined.
Your roles are so different from a journalist to an ethical hacker. How do you step into such diverse characters?
Acting to me is very much connected to music, both require the act of empathy and stepping into someone’s shoes. In life, I have always been a keen observer of people and their behaviour, and I simply try my best to channel that.
Outside of work, what things do you love doing that inspire your creativity?
I feel that a lot of inspiration comes from conversations with strangers on flights and trains. People really open up to you, and you get to experience life through the eyes of others. Travelling and documenting the same in videos and photographs are also very important to me.
You’ve worked with big collaborations and brands. What advice would you give to someone trying to make it in multiple creative fields?
I would suggest managing your time wisely, making a To Do list and also making sure that you make time for yourself. It is very important to take breaks in order not burn out or feel overwhelmed. Say yes to the things that tickle your gut.
Understand that some opportunities might be artistically for filling while others would be financially good for you, and it’s important to strike a balance between both. In any artistic field, it is very important to put yourself out there, so do not feel afraid to reach out to the people who you want to work with. The worst that could happen is they would say no.
What’s coming up next for you in music or acting that you’re excited about?
I am very excited for my debut in Bengali cinema as the lead in a film called Khaibarpass. I will also be releasing my debut EP this summer and taking the “Dear Diary” tour abroad. Lots of new music coming up!
