What Jhumka?, Dil Ka Telephone 2.0, Deva Deva are just a handful of chartbuster songs crooned by Jonita Gandhi among countless others that became a sensation among the masses. The multi-facted singer has been creating ripples with just her voice and the knack for versatility. Having sung for prominent music composers of the country like AR Rahman and Pritam, Jonita Gandhi has carved her own glorious path. From regional cinema to Bollywood, Jonita is attributed with a diverse discography which boasts of genres like Hindustani Classical Music, Western, Pop, EDM and many more. In addition to that, Jonita is also known for her unique Independent music repertoire.
The singer recently celebrated her birthday and exclusively spoke with News18 Showsha. Jonita talked about her career trajectory, her rapport with stalwarts like AR Rahman and Pritam, her flair towards Independent music and more.
Here are the excerpts:
It’s been another glorious year for you with back-to-back bangers like “What Jhumka” and “Dil Ka Telephone.” How do you process so much love and appreciation that comes to you?
I am definitely grateful and blessed to have the admiration of so many people for my work. But much as I’m grateful for the love and appreciation, I do recognize the volatility of this industry and that there will always be ups and downs. So I take both the good and bad with a grain of salt! I just hope that the acclaim I receive for my hit film songs extends to all the work I’m doing outside of film music as well!
Let’s start with “What Jhumka.” The song had every ingredient of a viral hit song. But it went beyond being just a viral hit across streaming platforms and Instagram reels. It sort of brought ‘Jhumka’ back to fashion and placed it in the center of Indian Pop Culture. When a song of yours makes an impact like that, does it also create pressure on you to be consistent in the domain of going viral?
No, I don’t think that I ever feel pressure for going viral. I think going viral is like the luck of the draw, and it’s like when you win the lottery, you celebrate that but you don’t feel pressure to win the lottery again. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, I’m still doing my thing, so it’s like a happy bonus when it does.
I am curious to know about your memory of recording this song and especially when it was picturized on Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh. I truly believe that your voice complemented her seamlessly. And what was Alia Bhatt’s reaction when she first heard the song in your voice?
I’m happy to hear that. I love singing for Alia Bhatt because she’s one of my favourite actors. It feels good to know that you think my voice suits her (I secretly feel the same hahaha)! I’m not sure what her reaction was when she first heard the song, but if you happen to ask her, please let me know her response! Regardless, it was a memorable experience recording the song; I found it quite memorable especially to recite the main “what jhumka” hook line.
While it was your birthday recently, you’ll also be completing a decade this year being a playback singer not only in Bollywood but across regions. In a world where people pass statements like ‘singers have a shelf life,’ to be consistently adept at your craft and be on the trending charts, year after year, how will you sum up your journey? And what were some good, bad and ugly moments that you faced in this decade-long music career?
I personally believe there’s still much to come on my journey. I’m just getting started, and I believe that’s the essence of it! When it comes to the good, bad and ugly… I hesitate to respond because, well, defining moments as good or bad is a challenge. Life unfolds in its own way, and I prefer not to categorize experiences as either strictly positive or negative. Each day is a unique adventure, and some days can be tough due to the reality of managing mental health and the pressure to stay relevant. Successfully navigating those challenges makes for good days, and days where I am less successful at that can be considered challenging or bad.
I’ve been following your work even before you went mainstream in Bollywood. I used to watch every cover that you would release on your YouTube channel and I use to think to myself that this person deserves mainstream acclaim. How often do you revisit that phase in your life? And how instrumental was that phase in catapulting you where you are today?
Thank you so much for being with me since the beginning of my musical journey! Your support holds a special place in my heart, and I truly mean that. In those early days on YouTube, I received genuine feedback from people around the world, and it played a crucial role in boosting my confidence and validating my pursuit of music. While I’ve since worked towards needing less external validation, those initial days were instrumental in giving me the confidence and motivation to strive for greater success.
If there is one music composer that has been a pivotal part of this journey of yours, it’s AR Rahman Sir. The amount of faith and belief he has in you and your talent is unparalleled, and that’s evident from how he always manages to bring out the best in you in every song he has designed for you? And vice versa. How did you build this kind of rapport with him?
I consider myself fortunate to work with AR Rahman. Our connection goes beyond a composer-singer dynamic; it’s evolved into a mentor-mentee relationship. Throughout the years, he has provided a comfortable space for seeking advice, sharing thoughts, and collaborating creatively. Working with Rahman sir has offered me numerous opportunities for self-discovery as an artist, making our relationship very special.
Another music composer that you frequently collaborate with is Pritam Da. How would you describe his style or way of approaching music in comparison to AR Rahman Sir? Also what can you recall about the making of chartbusters with him like “The Break Up Song”?
I truly enjoy working with Pritam Da. He is extremely versatile and he has a unique talent for creating incredibly catchy music. Being in his studio energizes me; it’s a bustling environment with numerous people and projects. Over the years, I’ve developed a great relationship with the team, and their encouragement brings out the inner drama in me, which is fundamental to many Bollywood songs I’ve worked on hahaha!
One of the best qualities of a playback singer is how they can perform their songs live on the stage in front of a large audience. From all the live shows of yours I have seen with AR Rahman Sir or even otherwise, the preparation that goes behind that live performance is evident in the context of how you keep the notes consistent, even when you are dancing. Throw some light on your process and prep before a live show?
I’ve been performing since I was really young, long before I delved into recording, even before grasping the intricacies of song-making. The invaluable experience of being a child performer has not only been amazing but has also played a crucial role in shaping and training me. I also attribute a significant part of my learning to the Bollywood singer, Sonu Nigam. His prowess as both a singer and performer, holding the top position in the industry, has been really influential for me, especially having toured with him at the early days of my professional career. Learning from such genius-level performers is a blessing, and I’ve adopted a sponge-like ability to absorb as much knowledge and skill as possible.
Versatility is another forte of yours that I have personally admired over the years. Whether it’s a pure Hindustani Classical-based song like “Saajan Aiyo Re” from “Ok Jaanu/Ok Kanmani” or songs like “Couple Goals” that essentially can be categorized as electro-pop, you tend to ace it with the same finesse. What role has the knowledge of Hindustani Classical Music as well as Western Classical Music played in your life and in your vocal journey? And how important is it for a singer to be mindful of both these practices?
I’m not a trained singer; I’ve received minimal training in both Western classical and Hindustani classical music, only having learned the basics. While I’ve always wished for more training, I believe everything happens for a reason. A strong foundation is crucial for singers, enabling versatility and an open-minded approach, especially for those pursuing a career as a playback singer.
Despite your commercial commitments, you still manage to take out time for Independent music through standalone singles and collaborations. What brings you back to the Indie scene, and whether in the coming times, we are going to witness a pathbreaking Indie EP or LP from you?
I believe I might be heading in the opposite direction than most would expect. Many people typically start with Indie and then transition into film music. When I first started to pursue music, I wasn’t familiar with the songwriting process. For me at that time, ultimate success was achieving playback singing for films. The journey continues, and as I’ve recently embarked on the journey of non-film music, I find a great sense of freedom and expression through writing my own music. I have a vast collection of music in store that I can’t wait to share with everyone. It’s going to be a roller coaster ride, and there’s so much more to come—stay tuned!
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