This year has been special for Sunidhi Chauhan on the personal as well as the professional front. Her tracks — Lae Dooba (Aiyaary), Manwaa (October) and Ae Watan (Raazi) have been faring well on the music charts. She is also excited about the peppy number, Teri Pappi Le Loon (from the forthcoming Veere Di Wedding).
Apart from this, it’s the birth of her son with husband and music composer Hitesh Sonik in January that has made the year more memorable for her. “I have a bad habit of singing all the time. So, right now, my kid doesn’t have a choice, but to listen to me. Let’s see if he will still do that when he grows up,” she laughs, when asked if her tiny tot is surrounded by music all the time. Sunidhi, who was recently seen as a judge on the reality show, The Remix, talks about her child, work and more.
You’ve had some good songs releasing recently...
Yeah, it’s nice to have had a lovely release like Ae Watan. Manwaa blends with the seriousness of October and I was quite surprised that people sit back and listen to this kind of music when a lot of upbeat stuff is working well. Lae Dooba in Aiyaary was another song that I really liked. It was a beautiful, romantic track.
What are your upcoming tracks?
I have recorded about nine numbers that will release this year. But I don’t know which film they are for. That’s because things are not like before when the director and producer came to the recording studio and we discussed the music with the composer. Almost everyone works on autopilot now. They record stuff separately and it’s put together later. So, for the last few years, I’ve recorded songs and not known where they will be used.
How’s motherhood treating you?
It’s a happy feeling. People who become parents are lucky (smiles).
How was the whole experience of The Remix?
It was great to be part of a unique concept where music was all that mattered. Also, spending time with the other two judges — Amit (Trivedi) and Nucleya — and talking about something other than work was wonderful.
Was it difficult for you to shoot for The Remix while you were pregnant?
Not at all. I didn’t have any problem whatsoever. I had the best time and enjoyed shooting thoroughly. Time just flew and I felt like I was pregnant for just three months since I was performing on stage till the sixth month and then The Remix started. My real break was from the first of Jan till February when I started recording again.
Is Hitesh a hands-on dad?
Absolutely! He has to actually make an effort to leave our baby and go to work. So, he has shifted his set-up at home. He worked on Hichki and Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety from home.
Are you cutting down on work to be with your son?
Well, my baby kind of lets me keep going and not slow down at all. He’s going to be with me wherever I go. I started recording a month after he was born and, I’ve been taking him along. I don’t leave him at home. He’s a part of everything that I’m doing.
You’ve been singing for 22 years. How has the journey been?
I only realise it’s been that long when I read tweets from my fans pointing it out. I started out when I was just 11 and I’ve constantly been working since then. I never paid attention to time and now it feels like I’ve been singing for just 10 years. I’m happy that the feeling is the same when I record the song.
