My entire life changed when my dog bit me on my face. I was in class XII, preparing for the SAT exam as I was supposed to migrate to the US with my family. But we ended up staying back as I had to go for a couple of surgeries after the dog bite. Around this time the reality contest Channel V Popstars was launched and my father encouraged me to participate in it so that I could regain my lost confidence. That was a huge turning point.

Viva! was formed in 2002 and did well for itself while it lasted. After the group disbanded I started working as a VJ for Channel V in 2004. The one-and-a-half years at Channel V helped me grow up. And over the last few years I feel that I have taken complete control of my life and work.

It’s been a long and interesting journey from my Viva! days to today when I have come out tops in Khatron Ke Khiladi Level Two.

My first playback song in the movie Golmaal in 2006 was yet another turning point. My career began to take off and I have had the chance to work with top music directors. Getting the Stardust award for New Music Sensation (female) for the song Naughty Naughty in Cash was yet another significant milestone.

At the moment, my songs from Luck, Kambaqt Ishq and Do Knot Disturb are on air. I have also sung Genie Rap in Aladdin and in movies like Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, Dulha Mil Gaya, Kites and Raat Gayi Baat Gayi.

I didn’t do any television at all in the last couple of years so that music directors would know that I was serious about singing. I decided to do Khatron Ke Khiladi Level Two since I thought the show would not take away from my credibility as a singer. Also, before the show, people only connected me with Viva!, and though they knew my songs they didn’t know that I had sung them.

Khatron Ke Khiladi has been a big turning point for me personally. I have learnt a lot about myself. I have always been physically strong but for this show one has to be very strong mentally as well. On the show I had to achieve many tasks that helped make me strong mentally.

(As told to Promita Mukherjee)