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Neha Kakkar would not stop smiling through the launch of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs Season 6 at Rims International School in Andheri West, Mumbai, recently. She has a bagful of Bollywood hits (think Kala chashma, Manali trance, Dhating naach, Maahi ve, London thumakda, Kar gayi chull…) but what had sent her over the moon was being a judge on a reality show. Grinning from ear to ear, the bubbly Neha sat down for a chat with t2.
This is your first time as a judge...
Oh yes! I was a contestant — don’t ask me to name which show (lowers her voice conspiratorially to avoid naming Indian Idol, the second season of which she had participated in in 2006). I could not even win that show. I was eliminated from the top eight. I was heartbroken thinking that it had all gone waste and even started doubting my singing ability. Now that they have me as a judge, that must mean I sing well (laughs). I remember the long queues at the auditions. So I know exactly what these children have been through.
How are you finding this job?
I thought judging would be tough. But it seems quite easy as the channel is letting me be who I am. The only problem has been elimination. The kids sing better than adults. In the last round of the mega audition, I broke down while choosing 14. I cried so much that I got fever. The other judges must have laughed inwardly, thinking ‘Nayi ladki!’
How did you start out as a singer?
I was born in Rishikesh. We went through a lot of struggle. My father tried a lot of things and even sold samosas outside Didi’s (Sonu Kakkar) college. Her friends used to tease her. She was already singing and wanted better scope. So we shifted to Delhi. I was two or three then. All three of us, Didi, main aur Bhai (composer Tony Kakkar) used to do Maata ka jagran. Our father gave up work to manage us. Main totli awaaz mein gaati thi. In those days, not too many children were singing on stage. People found it very cute.
Gali gali mein un dinon jagran hoti thi. We would leave home at 7pm and sing at one jagran after another till 5am. Now shows have to end by 10pm, but in those days we could do four to five jagrans a night. The audience would be nicely wrapped up in blankets and I’d think why were we having to sing in this shivering cold? I did jagrans till the age of 16. I do not like to speak about those days. It makes me emotional. It must be Mataji’s ashirvaad that I have come this far.
The show is happening in the thick of exam season. How had you managed studies as a participant?
Log parte hain aagey kamaane ke liye. Main kamaati thi parne ke liye. I used to do shows all month and go to school only for exams. I was halfway through Class XI when I got into the reality show and left for Mumbai. I am Class X pass (giggles).
You have spent a decade now in the music industry…
A change is coming in the industry. Different kinds of music is being made. People are appreciating slow numbers, not just fast-paced ones. So, besides Kala chashma and Kar gayi chull, I am also getting Mahi ve, Channa mereya and Mile ho tum.
What are your views on remixes of hits?
I am very much a part of the recreation of songs. Many of my hits have been recreated — Kala chashma, Kar gayi chull, Mahi ve — and done very well. But re-creation must be done smartly. Kayi baar aap achhe gane kharab kar dete ho. So it is important that justice is done to the songs. Songs which are not done well become flops.
Finally, when is your next selfie video coming?
(Laughs) I am just not getting time. I know my selfie videos are very popular. Badrinath ki Dulhania mein mera nayaa gaana hai — the title song. I am making a selfie video of that. It will be uploaded soon. A few singles are also coming, which I am very excited about.
(Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs airs Saturday and Sunday 9pm on Zee TV)