If 2013 gave Bollywood its youngest female star Alia Bhatt, this year promises even bigger surprises from the Highway heroine.
Alia has already taken everyone including herself by surprise by crooning a song for A R Rahman.
Now Alia, intends to take her interest in music forward. This year she will learn how to play the piano.
Says Alia, “The singing just happened. But now I’m very serious about pursuing music.I’ve always enjoyed singing. I thought I was what they called a bathroom singer until Rahman Sir asked me to sing for him. I told my Highway director Imtiaz Ali about my interest in singing. While we were shooting Highway the idea of my singing came up a couple of times.”
The song Sooha saha that Alia sang for Rahman was one of the earliest recorded numbers for the film Highway.
Says Alia, “I love music and singing. The track was part of the narrative from the start.It’s important to the screenplay.It kept playing in the background while we were shooting.So it kind of struck to me. Whenever I like a song I memorize the tune and lyrics.”
Alia is all praise for Rahman for making sure she got the tune right. “It was an out-of-the-body experience to record this song. I am grateful that Rahman Sir was very patient and gracious with me. I went into Rahman Sir’s studio, hummed the song. He said let’s give it a try. Throughout I was thinking, ‘My God am I doing it right?’”
Alia now has a renewed regard for music. “ I’ve emerged from the experience with so much respect for singers. I don’t know how they sing day-in-day-out. That one song was a huge challenge for me. I managed because Rahman Sir and Imtiaz were there to prod me on and to see me to the finishing line.”
Now Alia looks forward to pursuing her keen interest in music. “When I sang for Rahman Sir I looked at it as a one-off challenge. But now I think I’ll take my interest in music further. Rahman Sir has suggested I learn to play the piano. He suggested I learn music properly.”
Alia feels she can cut an album after a while. “Rahman Sir feels if I am trained I will be able to cut an album in two years’ time. I am taking up the piano. I’ve always wanted to learn a musical instrument. The suggestion from Rahman Sir to pursue the piano has made me determined. I am starting my piano lessons very soon.”
As for the time to pursue this new passion Alia says it will happen. “I will make the time for this, no matter how. Just the thought of learning the piano is very exciting to me.”
Incidentally Alia has company. The Big B Mr Bachchan too intends to learn the piano this year.
Other Crooning Screen Divas: Hema Malini in Haath Ki Safaai,Rekha in Khubsoorat, Sridevi in Chandni, Kareena Kapoor in Dev.
By Subhash K Jha