They got their big break with Rajamouli’s magnum opus Baahubali
Sisters Mounima and Damini Bhatla
Hyderabad: Sisters Mounima and Damini Bhatla are on a high after having sung two songs in the upcoming film Baahubali — Sivuni Aana and Pacha Bottasi.
The sisters, who are born and brought up in Hyderabad, had sent some demos to music director M.M. Keeravani. “He asked us to come in for an audition at Prasad Labs. After memorising the lyrics and tune, I sang a stanza and got the song Sivuni Aana. The song is heavy on harmony and I got to sing with Keeravani sir. Even though I have a small portion, I couldn’t have asked for a better debut than this,” says Mounima, 22, who finished recording the song in two days. Keeravani had spotted Damini at a singing reality show and she has been working with him since September last year.
“Though I have sung for a Malayalam film called Love In London starring Prithviraj, I was scared during the song recording of Baahubali. It’s such a prestigious film that if you make one mistake, you could get taken off. Keeravani garu gave me some suggestions after hearing the song. Taking those into account, I sang the song again and it came out really well,” says 20-year-old Damini. The two, however, don’t want to get stuck with playback singing.
“I am pursuing my BA in Carnatic music from Telugu University and am also training in Western vocals. I want to be independent instead of waiting for opportunities to come,” Damini says. Recently, Mounima acted in a short film called Varsham Sakshiga. “I am open to acting if I get good offers from big banners. I am dramatic in real life; I live in my characters. My mom insists that I give it a try, but I don’t take acting too seriously,” Mounima says. Mounima has been learning Carnatic music from Vyzarsu Balasubrahmanyam and light music from Little Musicians Academy.
“Damini is my senior in music. She’s more knowledgeable than me. We have a healthy competition between us, but I always listen to her suggestions,” Mounima says.
Were they always interested in music? “My mother loves music, even though she can’t sing. So since childhood, she wanted us to take part in extra-curricular activities. Later, we became pretty serious about pursuing music. She’s the driving force behind us. Even our father is very supportive,” Mounima says.
Having finished her BCom in Computers from Aurora College, Mounima plans to pursue an MBA in Media Management. Also, the sisters have recently formed a band called Classically Mild, and performed on stage for World Music Day at the Hyderabad Public School. Any favourite music directors? “We are crazy about A.R. Rahman and Ilaiyaraaja garu. They are our deities,” Damini says.
“Our friends in the industry have said that they would like to work with us. Hopefully, something will work out soon,” Damini says about their future playback plans.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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