Shilpa Rao, the voice behind the mesmerizing "Chaleya" from the blockbuster movie Jawan, has recently shared insights into her journey, highlighting both the triumphs and tribulations that have shaped her career. In a recent interview, the acclaimed Bollywood singer opened up about her initial struggles, the evolution of her musical style, and the invaluable lessons she has learned along the way.
Rao, whose discography boasts hits like "Besharam Rang," "Not Ramaiya Vastavaiya," and "Allah Maaf Kare," emphasized that struggle is an inherent part of every musician's journey in Bollywood. It often takes years to establish oneself and find consistent work. The key, she believes, is to maintain one's unique style and originality. "That's the novelty factor that you bring to the table," she explained, adding that this is a lesson she has learned over the years.
Growing up in Jamshedpur, with roots in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, Rao was immersed in music from a young age. Her father, a great admirer of Ghantasala's songs, nurtured her and her brother's musical talents. Rao never initially aspired to be a professional singer. Looking back, she believes that focusing on music for its pure love, without expectations, was beneficial.
Relocating to Mumbai upon the advice of Shankar Mahadevan opened doors for Rao in the music industry. She began her Bollywood journey by singing jingles for popular brands like Cadbury and Sunsilk. Her Bollywood debut came with the song "Tose Naina" from Anwar, a success she never anticipated. This song earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer, a significant milestone in her career.
Rao acknowledges the difficulties she faced early on. She recalls being told that she had a "very different voice" and that it was difficult to find the right fit for it in the industry. This required immense patience and perseverance.
Despite the challenges, Rao cherishes the opportunities she has had to collaborate with talented musicians such as AR Rahman, Pritam, Vishal-Shekhar, and Shankar Mahadevan. She also expresses her eagerness to work with new and upcoming composers. "I am always on the lookout for composers who are starting out – I would love to work with fresh minds," she stated.
Reflecting on her recent National Award win for "Chaleya," Rao expressed her happiness and gratitude. She also shared her experience of working with Shah Rukh Khan, praising his humility and the respect he gives to everyone on set. Rao recorded "Chaleya" in just 20 minutes at Albuquerque Records in Chennai after a jam session with composer Anirudh Ravichander.
Rao emphasizes the importance of faith in one's collaborators. She believes that trusting composers and directors to do their job well leads to a better final product. "Have the faith with the artist that they will perform it like that. You cannot have control on everything," she said.
Looking ahead, Rao hopes to continue evolving as an artist and a human being. She aspires to dedicate more effort to her music and become a better version of herself. "I hope to be a better human being and I hope to sing better," she shared.
