I might just do a single soon, says 'Ishq Wala Love' singer Neeti Mohan

When Ishq Wala Love (Student Of The Year) and Jiya Re (Jab Tak Hai Jaan) hit the airwaves in quick succession and stayed on top of the charts in 2012, it proved one thing about singer Neeti Mohan.

The girl could belt out the hits as well as the best of them. Awards and accolades followed and since then, she has seen ups and downs, but one thing has remained consistent. She’s been the pick of a variety of music directors for all the biggest, most promoted Bollywood films.

She had to prove her mettle in spite of being a part of [V] Popstars and later, another much-hyped talent hunt, but prove it she did. Over and over again. Speaking to her over the phone recently, she seemed a little withdrawn, perhaps a little cautious, a far cry from her bubbly self I remembered from a few years ago. Excerpts...

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo was your last soundtrack. But let’s talk about Shaandaar’s Nazdeekiyaan and Senti Wali Mental.
Amit Trivedi told me to sing Nazdeekiyaan with a lot of feel as the brief was that it’s a waltz number, for a dream sequence. On the other hand, Senti Wali Mental was all about attitude and punk. It’s a different take on the girls-vs-boys song. It’s something we regularly experience at weddings, and sometimes in schools and colleges and other such spaces. We’ve never had a song for that before.

Do you think labels now promote singles better? Is there hope for the non-film music scene?
I’m happy that non-film music is getting its due. Most singles today are being produced and promoted very well... almost on the level of a film song and across platforms.

If you do decide to put out single or album, will it be an independent one or for a label?
Actually, I just might do a single soon. After Chai Chai. I did this single called Udne De on Internation Women’s Day and dedicated to all women in the wake of the Nirbhaya incident. The track was written and composed by me. My sisters shot the video for me. After that I got busy with my film work.

Do you intend to take up composing sometime in the future? Do you see yourself someday growing into the role. 
I just want to grow as a musician. that’s why I do different languages. I keep myself open to singing in different genres like classical dance songs, light classical folk, etc. There’s so much to learn and I’m glad I’m on the right path.

Have you been approached to judge a music talent hunt?
There was something, but I’ve just been so busy with recording, most lately for PRDP and now Hate Story 3.

You’ve also sung in Tamil and Telugu. Are you more conversant in these languages?
I’ve also sung in Bengali and Marathi. I have sung in Kannada as well, but have yet to do so in Malayalam. And in Gujarati...

What film is this?
It’s a new, unreleased one called Rom Com. I’ve sung the title track and it’s in the EDM space. It will be the first time I’ve sung for a Gujarati film.

One gig you performed at this year that stood out.
It was with AR Rahman for the Independence Day celebrations at the massive, prestigious O2 Arena in London. One can sense the excitement of the Indians residing there when they sing along. One can’t put down in words how that feels. It was a very touching moment for me.