A brand new voice made its debut with the film, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota last week. Kamakshi Rai, the Mumbai-based playback singer who can sing effortlessly in many languages is enjoying the success of her songs - Dreamtime and Tere Liye, in the Ronnie Screwvala film. In the city for an event, the singer with a sultry voice talks about being inspired by real woman, singing in Karan Johar film and more. Excerpts:
Your debut songs are quite a success. Tell us about it.
I am extremely happy that the response has been quite incredible for my debut songs. More than anything, I'm glad that my playback debut was with a film like Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota because it's an awe-inspiring bunch of people to work with. The song Dreamtime made it to Apple Music's Bollywood A-List!
How did you crack the two deals in Mard ko Dard Nahi Hota?
Initially, it was supposed to be just one song - Tere Liye. But when Vasan Sir, the director, heard my voice, he said he wanted a background score as well, in another section of the film. And as we worked on it, it kept growing and finally, we had Dreamtime as a full-fledged song.
Which genre is your forte?
I've grown up listening to such varied genres of music that today I sing everything, from Sufi and semi-classical to power ballads and jazz. My forte is singing. So whatever you throw at me, in whatever language, even if it's something I haven't done before, I'll sit with it, figure it out and sing it for you!
Who is your biggest inspiration?
I'm inspired by real women that I see every day. My mother, who fought against every circumstance to be a professional singer is my biggest inspiration. Also Suchitra Pillai, with whom I worked in the musical Sing India Sing, inspires me a lot.
You were recently in Kolkata, was it for some new project with Tollywood?
I can’t reveal anything at the moment, but you'll be the first to know.
Tell us about your other projects.
I perform in musical theatre productions and my recent show was Sing India Sing, which sold out in Mumbai. I have also performed in Wizcraft's Balle Balle. You'll hear some of my indie music soon, and probably see me on screen acting as well.
Who are you looking forward to work with?
I definitely want to do more playback, and I'd love to do a song for a Karan Johar film. It would be epic to sing for Vishal-Shekhar, and be the voice for one of Sara Ali Khan's songs as well.