SHE MADE A euphonious foray into Bollywood with Golmaal Returns, when she was just 14. At 24-years-old now, Anwesshaa’s repertoire includes films like Ranjhanaa, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo and many more. The Mumbai-based playback singer, who recently released her debut Hindi album and believes originality is her USP in the time of covers and remakes, is currently busy with projects in Bengali films. Excerpts from the chat:
What is unique about your debut Hindi album, Mijaaz-e-Ishq?
Mizaaj-e-Ishq, by Hungama Artist Aloud, is an album of five romantic tracks that conveys five different moods. It can take the audience into a calming journey that’ll make them pause for a moment and listen to their heartbeat in an era which is defined by race and pace.
How is this album different from your previous ones?
What makes the album more special is that these melodies are born out of me. And having worked for composers like Ismail Darbar, AR Rahman and Himesh Reshammiya, I find this new role very empowering. I intend to collaborate with other artistes in my upcoming independent projects. I don’t want to claim to be different but as I write my own songs, I can guarantee that the new ones will have a slice of me. In a time of cover versions and remakes, originality is a USP.
Tell us about your other projects.
This has been a year of a lot of firsts for me. I have been blessed to have got the opportunity to work with so many people. I am debuted in the a Bengali feature film, as a composer- songwriter, Lime n Light, starring Rituparna Sengupta. Another Bangla film Bidrohini that I composed and wrote for is also lined up for December. Further, you will hear me in Aaro Ek Chhaddobeshi, where I am doing a duet with Anupam (Roy) da. In Hindi, I have recorded for Anurag Kashyap’s Baansuri and an untitled film for Rik and Aditya Pushkarna. I sang for regional languages as well, this year. Coming to the non-film front, I recently sang a Telegu and a Bhojpuri song and have some collaboration plans with other artistes as well. I’ve some singles lined up and one of them is with Abhay Jodhpurkar that has been composed by Ajay Singha.
How do you manage juggling commercial and personal projects at the same time when others struggle to strike a balance?
I have learnt a lot from my playback experiences. But conveying my thoughts and creating my music gives me a different level of satisfaction. So I find time to do this. Its 2019, and there are ways and means for everything if you are willing enough to carve and walk your own path.