Shalmali Kholgade is a celebrated Indian playback singer known for her powerful voice and dynamic musical range. She made her debut with the hit song “Pareshaan” from the film “Ishaqzaade,” which earned her widespread acclaim and several awards. Since then, Shalmali has become a prominent figure in the Bollywood music scene, delivering numerous chart-topping tracks across various genres.
Her versatile singing style allows her to effortlessly transition from upbeat pop numbers to soulful ballads. Some of her most popular songs include ‘Balam Pichkari’ from ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani,’ ‘Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai’ from ‘Sultan,’ and ‘Aga Bai: from ‘Aiyyaa.’ Beyond Bollywood, Shalmali has also made significant contributions to regional music and independent projects, showcasing her broad musical expertise.
Known for her energetic stage presence and vibrant personality, Shalmali has performed at numerous live concerts and music festivals, captivating audiences with her dynamic performances. Her dedication to her craft and her ability to connect with listeners through her music have solidified her reputation as one of India’s leading contemporary singers.
Addressing over a decade long journey in the music industry, Shalmali Kholgade sat exclusively with News18 Showsha and recalled some of the most poignant milestones of her career, including her independent albums 2X Side A and 2X Side B.
Here are the excerpts:
Shalmali, your journey in the music industry has been incredibly diverse, spanning various genres and languages. How do you maintain your versatility while transitioning between Bollywood and international music scenes?
I have quite literally followed my heart when it comes to my music over the years. Specially so with my independent music. I’ve not stuck to one genre or limited myself to one language. So it has never been about displaying versatility for me. I’ve only wanted to express myself through my music. So while sometimes I’ve been able to do with an pop English track, other times I’ve sung an indie Hindi song and today I have a multi lingual Afro track in which I’m singing in Marathi – my mother tongue.
Looking back at your career, which song or project do you consider as the turning point that significantly impacted your musical journey and helped shape your success in the industry?
While Pareshaan brought light upon me as an artist, Daru Desi and Lat Lag Gayi really allowed me to portray my vocal strengths which is full throated chest singing. This is as far as Bollywood goes. But both my albums 2X Side A and 2X Side B, defined me as a songwriter alongside being a pretty voice. To me, that was a huge milestone.
You’ve collaborated with artists from different countries, such as Wengie for “For You” and “Thing You Want.” How has this international exposure influenced your approach to music and creativity?
My collaboration with Wengie on Thing You Want was a very fun learning experience. It helped me understand a very unique way of approaching music. When I write by myself, I’m not very commercial in my approach but my recent collaborations have helped me understand that approach better.
Your foray into independent music with singles like “Ruka Ruka” and “Kalle Kalle” has been well-received. How does the creative process differ for you when working on independent projects compared to mainstream Bollywood songs?
The involvement I have in my independent music is much deeper as compared to Bollywood music. When I sing a film song, I’m brought into the picture once the song is ready or near ready and then it ends. On my indepdent music, I’m responsible for how the produciton sounds, the instrumental I want on it, the lyric, mix, master and how I want to plate the music to the audience.
The release of your English albums “2X Side A” and “2X Side B” marked a significant step in your career. What inspired you to create these albums, and how has the reception been from your fans and critics?
These albums have been the biggest milestone in my life. I’ve always wanted to release albums. That’s what I always envisioned myself doing. They put me out there as more than a playback singer which is something I desperately wanted for myself. I knew my skill set wasn’t limited to just singing. I wanted to compose, write and produce as well. I’ve gained a very different audience over the last 4 years. While these numbers aren’t as jaw dropping as the ones one sees on a Bollywood record, they are very significant to me because these are people who’re open to listening to my music. While there’ve been many supporters of me indie music, there’s still a lot of people who write to me saying “sing in films more” and “go back to Pareshaan era”.
Composing music for an Indie Marathi film was a distinctive project for you. How did this experience differ from your other composing ventures, and what challenges did you face in this particular creative process?
Everything about composing for June was a win for me. I learnt newly how to listen to a script, watch the first cut, understand a directors vision and then write for a situation or a character. When I compose otherwise, it comes from a very personal space. But here I had to put myself in the shoes of the film. I’m very grateful to Nikhil Mahajan (the producer of the film) to put his faith in me for this project.
What inspires your songwriting process and musical compositions? Are there specific themes or personal experiences that you often draw upon when creating music?
All the music that I’ve written on my own has come from an emotion or a siatiation or experience I’ve had in my personal life. I have to be deeply moved in order to write a piece of music. It could be a happy emotion or one where I’m hurt, sad, angry, frustrated. It needs to be real and intense.
You’ve collaborated with various choreographers and directors for your music videos. How does collaboration enhance your creative vision and storytelling through your music?
When I’m writing a song, I almost immediately see a video for it run in parallel in my head. But off late I’ve stopped giving ideas for the video I’ve seen. I wait to hear from directors as to how they hear the music and what they see on instinct. This way I am able to consume my own music differently.
I’ve wanted my music videos to look like pieces of art. I’ve not made a music video for the sake of making a music video. There’s been videos that I’ve shot and not released. So I’m very particular about the kind of videos I put out.
Your ability to seamlessly switch between genres and languages is commendable. How do you navigate the diverse musical landscape while staying true to your artistic identity?
Again, like I said, while it comes across like juggling too many things, I’m not trying to juggle anything. I’m just doing what feels right in the moment. I have no formulas, no gimmicks, no agenda with my music. It’s just about expression. Sometimes I can say things with emphasis in one langauge over another, and something one genre works better than the other.
Your songs have resonated with audiences worldwide. How does listener feedback and engagement influence your future projects and musical direction?
A listener’s positive feedback always helps me stay on my path. But it doesn’t make me choose a path. I don’t take suggestions from the audience for what music to do next. I’d rather give the audience suggestions for what they could potentially enjoy next. Keeps my audience on their toes.
Can you give us a glimpse into any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re excited about? What can fans expect from your future releases?
I have so much music lined up for this year I don’t know which one to speak about here. I’m releasing a few of my Marathi songs from the film June in Hindi. I’m also very excited about a beautiful song Nikhil D Souza and I made which will release soon. I also have a few English songs that I need to find a window for between all my Hindi releases.
How do you see yourself evolving as an artist in the coming years? Are there any specific areas of music or performance that you wish to explore further?
I want to be able to take my indie music live and perform it in a unique style. I’ve always want to enact songs, presenting them in a more theatrical way, versus the traditional music performance style. I know I’m evolving as a musician with each collaboration and piece of music I’m making. I just hope in time, I’m as successful an indie artist as I’ve been a playback singer.
Reflecting on your musical journey so far, what legacy do you hope to leave behind through your music and performances?
I want my music and my performance style to be my legacy. I know I do things differently and it doesn’t always work out for me but it’s honest and authentic. I hope that’s what will be remembered. My music often is a slow burn but I’d much rather it be that than the flavour of the season.
As far as my performance style goes, I do keep pushing the envelope for singing and dancing on stage and creating a spectacle for the audience. I want to never stop at anything in that department – it has to get bigger and better.
As a seasoned artist in the industry, what advice would you give to aspiring musicians looking to establish themselves and make an impact in the music scene?
There’s too many talented people in the world. You may be one, but there’ll always be others. Having a work ethic, respect for people, valuing time, being professional is what will set you apart. I’ve noticed talent fading when weighed against a person’s attitude. Be a good human being. That’ll come through in your art as well.
