30^th April 2011 will surely go down as a day 15 year old Shraddha Sharma will remember for a long time to come. That day, Shraddha uploaded a YouTube video of her singing, with a guitar accompaniment, a teary song dedicated to “a special friend who was leaving her forever”. She sang Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s Mein Tenu Samjhawan Ki from the Punjabi movie Virsa. The song went viral and slowly made Shraddha a popular face on YouTube. Soon, a few more videos were uploaded and the rest as they say is history.

Five videos and almost 16 weeks later, in the third week of August, Shraddha’s YouTube channel, Shraddharockin, became the highest subscribed channel in India. Her videos have had more than two million views in all. So if you thought only Justin Bieber could make a name for himself after his mother uploaded his videos on YouTube, Indian lass Shraddha Sharma who by her own will power and talent decided to make a name for herself has done all this by herself, without the help of anyone.

You heard it right; Shraddha Sharmais a cyber rock star, the latest Indian sensation on YouTube who has captured the nation's attention through her voice. Very shy, and even more so when it comes to interacting on a one on one basis, Shraddha prefers to keep he answers short, sometimes with one liners, though when prodded she tries to speak a little more. and talk her YouTube success and her debut album.

Speaking rather nervously, admitting that she was "yet to get out of her teens”, Sharma has that twinkle in her eye and childish giggles when questioned on how her career has zoomed up the ladder. In a freewheeling chat she shares her success story.

Let’s get to the beginning, how did you take up singing?

It was very difficult to learn music in Dehradun, because everything is so conservative. But I managed to learn classical music from my mother. So I would say she is my first teacher and my inspiration.

Who else do you have in your family?

I have my mom, Kusum who is a homemaker, and my dad Anil an employee with the telecom company BSNL in Dehradun, I also have two elder brothers, back home in Dehradun who are very supportive of my efforts. My dad was very supportive of my efforts.

What made you take the shortcut to fame?

Well actually I always wanted to take part in reality shows on TV” she explains “I had been shortlisted for television talent shows in the past, but I didn’t make the final rounds. No one knows how the selections work, so I decided to stay away from it all. I went for a few auditions, but was rejected. I did not want to keep getting rejected and coming back home and sulking. I did not want to stand in those long lines and wait for my turn and then get rejected. So I thought why not do it my way and use social media to put my songs out for the world to see.

When did the deal with Universal Music come in?

My songs became very popular on YouTube, where till date I garnered over 11 million views across the 30 odd videos uploaded on my channel Shraddharockin. It was then that Igot a call from Universal Music in Mumbai to cut an album. While still completing my schooling in Times World School, Dehradun, I came to Mumbai to meet the folks at the record label and work out a deal for an album. With everything in place, eight months ago, I packed my bags and headed to Mumbai to pursue my dream of becoming a singer.

So can you tell us something about the deal with Universal Music?

I got signed onto the label in late 2012. From grooming to singing lessons to getting the best producers in the world, the company supported me everywhere. I was very lucky to have got such a deal at such a young age. They also brought in Lesle Lewis and Jim Beanz of `Timbaland Productions to be part of the album.

So what is the album all about?

Titled Raastey the album is an eclectic mix of Pop, R&B, Rock and Dance with a playlist of 8 songs, plus three hidden bonus tracks. Titled after the lead song Raastey, the album is all about life and the road that lies ahead. All of the songs on the album have been written by acclaimed song writer Ankur Tewari. Three of the songs are produced by international producer Jim Beanz of `Timbaland Productions, while three have been done by singer / composer / producer - Lesle Lewis. Two songs are covers and my favourites.  It was fun working with Jim Beanz and Lesle Lewis. Lewis was pretty cool and gave me a lot of space to find my footing. Despite not having any reality show background in singing, he was very supportive and encouraging to work with.

So where was this album launched and when?

Universal Music launched the album on 1^st March 2014, at the inaugural YouTube Fan Fest held in Mumbai.

Have you heard of the channel Pepsi MTV Indies?

Yeah I am excited about this channel, as my music video Raastey is soon going to be aired on this channel.

So after the album, will Bollywood be the next step like most musicians who start out with solo albums and end up in Bollywood, will you fall in the same line?

Well maybe, if I get a good offer I might just take it up.

We hear that you have moved to Mumbai to study and also to pursue music. What do you really do in Mumbai?

I presently live alone as a paying guest in Mumbai and am doing my First Year Bachelor of Arts (FYBA) through Wilson College, Mumbai. 

Who are your musical inspirations?

Anoushka Shankar. I love her music, it’s so soulful and fills you heart with gladness. It’s so pure that you feel like listening to her again and again. It’s a very peaceful feeling.

What music do you listen to?

I am more into the slow jam stuff of ballads and mushy love songs, so you’d never find me anywhere near the Sunburn EDM Arena happening in the country these days. I like slow music and something that touches the soul. Even though my album has a few up-tempo melodies, it is all to showcase my talent in different genres of music, otherwise I love ballads. Raastey is an amazing ballad anyone young teen would love to swing to. I just cannot think of anything else, I love music and will always make it a part of whatever I do in my life.

With a huge fan following, I suppose you might be having many friends around?

No I do not have many friends, infact even in my college no one knows about my music album, my YouTube success. I prefer to keep it that way, than to face the glare from everyone and be treated like a celebrity.

What about a boyfriend?

No I don’t have one.

So what is your message to your fans?

I believe that you have to listen to your heart and do what you feel you want to do and even though I did not make it to reality show, I did make mark somewhere. I did it on my own, and so if I can do it, so can you.

Are you afraid of what people may say good or bad about your music?

I am least bothered.

Talent, good looks (she really has a well chiseled face) and luck, play a key role in the making of a star. And Shraddha has loads of it.

Interview and Photos by Verus Ferreira