Bollywood has a new and spunky voice

Kanika Kapoor, the voice behind the hugely popular Baby Doll, Lovely from Happy New Year and most recently Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan from Roy, talks about her musical journey and how it’s all coming together now. Excerpts:

Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan is topping the music charts…
I have worked with Meet Bros Anjjan before in Baby Doll and they felt that I suited this track as well. Like they say in marketing, “satisfaction leads to repeat purchase” (laughs). I’m glad people like it.
 
SRK had praised your work in Lovely. What was that like?
It is humbling to know that, but in all honesty the pleasure was all mine. After Baby Doll, Vishal-Shekhar contacted me for the track and it was amazing working with the duo.   After the film, SRK had the SLAM Tour and since Lovely had become a chartbuster by then, I was asked to perform the song on stage. The association with SRK has just grown since.
 
How did you start your Bollywood journey?
I have trained for 12 years from the Banaras Gharanas under the tutelage of Pt Ganesh Prasad Mishra since the age of seven. I completed my Masters degree in Indian classical music in 1999 after which I shifted to London to pursue a career. My first recording took place in 2012 — Jugniji — which created a buzz. After that Ekta Kapoor contacted me to sing for her film. That’s how it all began and the rest is history.
 
Do you plan to act in Bollywood as well?
I haven’t really given it a thought yet. My passion is singing and I have just started making a mark in my field. Once I have reached my goal, I might consider it.