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Richa Sharma is one of the most talented and successful playback singers in Bollywood, belting out one hit after another in her full-throated classy voice.
Sharma is a classic example of a rags-to-riches story, having started her career by singing devotional songs in temples until she made her playback debut in Salma Pe Dil Aagaya.
She hit the big time with Taal and since then she has never looked back, crooning popular numbers in films such as Zubeida, Saathiya, Baghaban, Kaante, Kaal, Musafir, Kal Ho Na Ho, Saawariya, Om Shanti Om and Aaja Nachle. She is best remembered for the Mahi Ve track from Kaante.
This gifted singer was in Dubai to judge the aspiring singers in the musical realty show Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Middle
East-Pakistan Challenge 2008. tabloid! caught up with Sharma for an exclusive interview.
What made you take up the offer to be a judge in Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa?
Whatever I do, the basis for it has to be music. It is important to expand your knowledge and horizons. I always knew that it
was going to be a good experience flying to Dubai and judging the aspiring and talented singers of this region. Moreover, whenever I come to Dubai I feel at home.
How did you find the singers from this region?
All the singers were talented and it was heartening to find them rehearsing and practising very hard on their vocal
abilities. There is an abundance of talent in this region.
How do you look back on your career, which now spans more than a decade?
I consider myself lucky. God has been kind to me for the amount of success I have seen in my life so far. It has been a
satisfying journey starting from an unknown singer in a small town (Faridabad) to a position where I am respected for my
vocal skills. I have nothing to regret and I just look forward to the future positively.
Which genre of music do you think your voice is best suited for?
Well, I don't stick to any genre as I enjoy singing all types of songs, but people around me feel that I am best suited to
the Sufi style of music. Wherever I go, people ask me to sing Mahi Ve from Kaante and Zindagi Mein Koi from Musafir and these songs are in the Sufi style. I have sung all types of songs, from item-number Billo Rani from Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal and dance track Tauba Tauba from Kaal to the emotional title track of Baghban and Kal Ho Na Ho. My top priority is good music and the genre doesn't matter to me.
What was it like to sing the duet O Dharti with legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan in Baghban?
Actually, we did not record this number together. I recorded this number first and then later Amitabh Bachchan's vocals were added to this track. I don't regret not having sung along with him as I feel I am privileged enough to at least sing for his film.
You have teamed up with A.R. Rahman on many projects. Rahman has a different style of working which includes working late nights. How easy was it to work with him?
A.R. Rahman is simply brilliant and his understanding of music is impeccable. When I worked on Taal with him, I started recording at midnight and we completed the recording at 6am. I sang for six hours with only few breaks. But eventually Rahman extracted the best from me and, I must admit, I have had very good experience with him.
What was it like to work on Mira Nair's international project, Vanity Fair?
Oh, it was a memorable experience. I got a call from Shankar-Ehsan-Loy, who were composing music for this film and asked me if I was interested in doing this project. I grabbed this offer with both hands and when I landed to shoot, Mira Nair and Javed Akhtar were there at the recording studio. It was an honour to work with these talented and respectable personalities.
What are your forthcoming projects?
I just finished Jannat in which I sang three songs under Pritam's musical score. Lambhi Judai is my favourite track from this film. I have sung for Shyam Benegal's forthcoming project and also sung for Monty Sharma's (music director of Saawariya) latest musical score. In addition, I intend to cut my own album by teaming up with an international artiste. So 2008 should be a busy year for me.
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