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How was your childhood? Did you always aspire to become a jazz singer?
I grew up watching rock band performances and spent a lot of time with my dad learning music. I have spent 10 years learning music from a western classical opera teacher. All my best friends are from the music background. Though I have spent most of my childhood practising music, I didn’t want to be a singer. I had thought of joining an airline and become a pilot. My mom was an airhostess for 40 years and that is what influenced me to become a pilot.
How did you get your first break in Bollywood?
I never wanted to sing in Hindi. I was brought up in a western atmosphere and have grown up listening to English songs. One day, I got a call from a person in music director Pritam’s team for singing in his (Pritam’s) next project. I did not start on the project for a year but then thought of giving it a try. I was resistant to singing in Hindi as I enjoyed western music. I have been singing for a long time and have done shows abroad with my jazz band and dad. I gave Hindi music a try and it worked out.
So like your songs that are happening and peppy, are you, too, a party animal?
No, I am quite the opposite to the kind of songs I have sung. I am a very private person who rarely parties. For me, an outing with friends means dinner, sitting and chatting. This is the reason that I don’t do too many interviews. But gradually, I have started giving interviews.
You have got three tattoos. Are you obsessed with them?
Oh no, there are more than three actually (laughs). I love body art and I am a painter too. The tattoos are quite meaningful, as I have got these done at different points of my life when things changed around me. Like, this is a cheesy one (shows a tattoo in Urdu on the right arm). The last one that I got a few months back is of Ali, my would-be-husband’s name. While this (shows another below the collarbone) is my dog’s name (Paws), who is no more and a sun, which I think is the ultimate source of energy. On my back, I have a flower of life, Om and butterfly that depicts life. On my left foot, I have a lotus tattoo, as it is my favourite flower.
So after a couple of good jazz numbers in Bollywood, do you think that jazz music will be able to make its place in the industry?
The music of Indian film industry is changing. The last song that was very jazzy was Kyun in Barfi!, sung by Papon and Sunidhi Chauhan. So I can say that the old jazz music is making a comeback. I have recorded a jazz number for Pooja Bhatt. Now I really don’t want to sing party songs.
Do you think the audience will be able to accept these changes as Bollywood has always been known for its romantic and item numbers?
I think the mindset of the people is changing. People are becoming liberal about the songs and this change is fantastic. In Pune, Snoop Dogg was seen rapping Tu mera hero. What I want to say is that Bollywood songs are crossing over to the west. The people in Hollywood listen to our songs now. It’s necessary to come up with new songs of different genres.
Has your life changed after Tu mera hero?
I didn’t even know that the song was a hot favourite until it came into the newspapers. Everywhere I went I would hear the song. Since I live across Gymkhana, I could see people dancing to the track in all the weddings. Once, Ali and I were travelling and there was child screaming on the flight. It turned off my mood and I asked Ali to change our seats. Suddenly I heard the child’s mother singing Tu mera hero and the boy stopped crying. I was surprised. There was another incident in Goa. While we were checking in the hotel, we saw a few people who were drunk and dancing to Tu mera hero. Ali burst out laughing and said: ‘Ha ha that’s my girlfriend’s song’. As I don’t do many photoshoots, people don’t recognise me.They don’t know my face. I don’t want to be recognised when I walk on the streets.
Are you a foodie?
Since I have met Ali, I have been trying a lot of Indian cuisines from Bhopal, Aligarh and Lucknow. They are yummy.
What excites you at the present?
Two years ago, I met Ali. He is the brother of one of my close friends. We met at a party and that was the last night I partied. He was in Mumbai for a week and after that we met everyday till we became lovebirds. We got engaged in July. What really excites me now is my wedding, scheduled for January next year.
What are the kinds of messages that you receive from your fans?
I love you Shefali Ma’am and your voice is so sexy — that was the last message I remember. I don’t respond to every private messages but its fun interacting with the fans. You will come to know your positive and negative side. I interact on Twitter and I am not inaccessible. I enjoy talking to people.
What is the formula of reprised songs?
There is no formula. I don’t like the concept of reprises, remix or mash up. Why do you need three versions of the same song in a single album? That doesn’t make any sense. Are you running short of music or not writing enough music?
Do you think the advanced technologies leading to voice modulation are degrading the quality of singers in the industry?
Yes. While editing any song, the editor uses lots of plugging to tweak the voice. If you are a strong singer, you can transcend your voice in a live concert. I really don’t like voice modulation. To me Subah hone na de is the worst song that I have sung. I personally like Gulaabi aankhen in Student of the Year and Dil hai nakhrewala in Ishqiya because in these songs my voice has not been modified. Modulation leads to confusion in the minds of the people when they hear the same song live.
What’s the new addition to your wardrobe?
Well, it has lot of Indian clothes. Ali’s mother is a designer and has a line of traditional outfits from Bhopal. My wardrobe is full of my trousseau. I will wear a designer outfit for my wedding. Personally, Ali likes me in shorts and tees.
The one thing that you hate about Mumbai?
Population. It’s beyond control and you will find people falling on each other. I am not a city-loving person. I am excited that after marriage I am going to spend my time in a jungle lounge outside Satpura National Park.
