I would have been luckier as a ’90s pop star: Akasa Singh

One of the biggest pop hits last year was Thug Ranjha, which was crooned by Akasa Singh, who also featured in the video. However, since then, she hasn’t dropped another non-film track. Ask her why, and the songstress laughs, “That’s a good question and I’ve been wondering that myself.” She goes on to add that along with the single, she did make other ones. But the roaring reaction to Thug made her want to create better music than she had. “So, things got more delayed than I intended in the process,” she explains, “I went abroad to write some songs and expected to come back with one track that I would write with the help of Vayu, who wrote Thug. But I discovered that I could also pen lyrics. So, I have two really good songs that I wrote and composed myself.” Now, she is figuring out which one to drop first. Akasa assures that the product will be worth the wait.

FILM RELEASE

Currently, Akasa is in the news for having sung Aithey Aa in Bharat for Vishal-Shekhar. She tells us that it was working with the duo that excited her more than being the voice of Katrina Kaif. “The first time I went in to dub, I was really unwell. But I thought I have to do my best anyhow. I don’t want to let this opportunity go. When I came to know who it was for and what film, it felt unreal because it’s the biggest thing I could have hoped for. It hasn’t sunk in yet and will take a while,” she enthuses.

REALITY STAR AND A VIRAL SENSATION

Akasa shot to fame with Sanam Teri Kasam’s song Kheench Meri Photo in 2016 but started her journey eight years ago with Mika Singh’s stage shows. She also participated in the reality show India’s Raw Star and is now a viral sensation. “I was lucky. I got picked up for the show when I put out covers of Honey Singh’s tracks. I think for artistes today, it’s a hit-and-miss kind of a situation. Though we have the power of technology and one can become a viral star overnight but not everyone manages that.” Having said that, she adds, “I’d have been luckier as a ’90s pop star because they were such a rage and Indipop was above everything. Right now, we, as artistes, are struggling to bring that era back and get independent music at par with Bollywood.”

UPCOMING TRACKS

Right now, Akasa is busy with non-film as well as Bollywood music. “I can’t name anything right now because one doesn’t know what comes out and what doesn’t. But I do have another movie song coming up in a month or two,” she states. As far as singles go, she has a lot of material and collabs to look forward to. “I have more stuff in indie space but I would love to sing for more Bollywood music directors as well,” she concludes.