Monica Dogra to rock Bollywood

She makes up one half of India’s popular band, Shaa’ir + Func, a world that has (and would rather have) nothing to do with Bollywood. But singer Monica Dogra is set to change all that. She’s, however, the second rock singer to do so, the first being singer-actor Shruti Haasan

Monica is the only female lead in Kiran Rao’s directorial film Dhobi Ghaat, which stars Aamir Khan and Prateik Babbar.  “Doing cinema was always an interest of mine as I studied music, dance, drama at NYU. But I wasn’t pursuing film,” says Monica rather candidly. It’s rare to find someone admitting to nurturing filmi interests.

“Kiran had seen a music video of mine, and was keen I audition for her film. Her casting team was relatively persistent with me, even when I was on tour with my band in London.  So, I auditioned as soon as I returned from tour and was offered the role pretty immediately.  I call it kismet,” she elaborates.

But isn’t it going against her band’s policy which keeps away from Bollywood music?  “We haven’t consciously stayed away from Bollywood music.  In fact, we’ve just tried to make the best music we possibly can, in an honest way, from an honest place.  Randolph (music partner) and I think in the language we write in,” she says.

Acting is not the only thing that the singer is coming to terms with, but also the fact that she’s working with her favourite actor. “It feels amazing,” says Monica of Aamir.  “I don’t fully comprehend it all yet.  But, it’s definitely a dream come true. Besides Bollywood is huge…I am still at stage where I am merely taking baby steps.”
The singer clearly does not see the film as a one-off provided the script is right and has right people behind it. “I let my instincts ride anything artistic and acting is artistry,” ends Monica.