I have a knack for grasping things: Sunidhi Chauhan

For Sunidhi Chauhan, the world of turntables and house music is a new one. The Bollywood songstress will be judging and mentoring a pair of established singer and DJ/music producer in The Remix on Amazon Prime Video. In spite of being an unknown turf, she has taken to it seamlessly. Sunidhi talks to us about her latest stint, what she thinks of the current music scenario and show contestants.

Were you nervous about judging since you’re yourself new to this type of music?

No, it’s actually great. Every type of music speaks the same language. Amit Trivedi, Nucleya, and I are here to polish the musicians and pinpoint things; judging would be a wrong term. The contestants either take our opinion positively and grow with it or take it negatively and fall. It’s about how we feel as a layman and also someone who knows things technically.

After all the years of experience, how is it learning something new?

Whatever little I know is because I listen to a lot of music and I always aim to sound different in every song. I try to gain knowledge by always being alert, staying current and being aware of what’s happening around. This requires a little more of me. It’s a constant process — learning and grasping things. I have a knack for grasping things. I’m quite smart that way.

Do you wish there were shows like The Remix on television?

There’s still time for television audiences to understand this kind of concept because it’s a little too technical. Most of the youth will be attracted to see this because they are into EDM. They understand the value of old songs that have great melodies. They see contemporary and old music as equal. The Stage also has its own set of audience and this is more Bollywood-centric, so it will attract people. I think we will get there and have such a show on TV. Most composers say that we make the same kind of music because people are listening to it. It’s our fault that we are giving them something average. If you give them something they haven’t heard before, they will at least show some kind of interest and get into that zone.

Do you listen to EDM?

Everything is EDM today (laughs). I don’t have to go around hunting it, I have heard so much EDM in Hindi music that I don’t need to listen to the original genre. But, I think it’s done to death now.

You’re one of the greatest reality show success stories. How has it been from being judged to judging?

I had already sung in movies before Meri Awaz Suno. I sang for Shastra when I was 11 and I participated in the show when I was 13. Yes, the big break came when I was about 15. But that was because I was meeting so many people. The journey has been great. Meri Awaz Suno wasn’t a reality show but pure competition. There was no voting, backstories or sobbing. You sang, the panel of judges rated you, and you either made it or didn’t. Actually, I participated because I wanted to see Lata Mangeshkar. That was my only reason. I luckily won.

How have reality show contestants changed since then?

It is difficult and scary to participate in a reality show but from that time, I think it’s easier now. This generation is very confident — the way they talk and their demeanour. It’s because they have so much exposure. People have gotten used to these platforms being available to them. There is so much happening that no one has to wait for another season – yeh nahi hai toh woh show hai, woh nah hai toh koi aur hai. They are ready, trying to prove their skills.