Rising Bollywood Singer, Akasa, is most known for her song Kheench Meri Photo from the 2016 Bollywood movie ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’. Starting her career through reality shows, she was signed by Sony Music India. Her debut pop single Thug Ranjha crossed 41 mn + views in one month and became one of the most watched Indian videos worldwide on YouTube. Recently the very beautiful lass was seen singing the much awaited wedding song from the Bollywood film ‘Bharat’.

Verus Ferreira met up with the very beautiful singer to know her musical journey:

Can you share a few details on your childhood and how you decided to get into music?

I come from a family that is heavily into music and performance. My father Arvinder Singh is a singer, my mother Amita Singh was a Kathak dancer and even my younger brother Asa Singh is a singer. I always knew that I wanted to get into the music industry, it was just a matter of when.

Did you face any opposition from your parents when it came to taking up music?

Not at all. In fact I have been blessed with a family that is extremely supportive of all my ventures be it traveling the world performing with Mika Singh and his band, to entering India’s Raw Star contest, to all the numerous studio sessions and singing projects. They have been really accommodative around my crazy schedules, and my mom always makes sure that she packs food for me whenever I go for work.

You began singing around the age of 17, what was your first live gig like?

I first started out as a female vocalist in Mika Singh’s band. He has been a mentor to me since then. When I got on stage the first time, I was a bit nervous, but it felt right to be there like this was what I was born to do.

Besides singing, are you proficient in any musical instrument?

I went to a couple of piano classes when I was young, but I didn’t stick through with it. I don’t mind picking it up again.

Since the time you began, how has your musical journey been, starting with Raw Star and Angels of Rock (MTV) and other shows?

I genuinely feel that each and every project has been like a paving stone to the next stage in my career. I have been lucky enough to work with the best in the industry starting from Mika Singh, Himesh Reshammiya for Kheech Meri Photo (film: ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’), Vayu for Thug Ranjha, and now Vishal-Shekhar for Aithey Aa (film: ‘Bharat’)

Did you face any challenges along the way?

I guess I have faced the usual challenges in a country like ours that loves films and film music, it is difficult for an artist to carve their own space in the Independent music industry. But I feel that the trend is changing for the better, and people are recognizing talent for what it is, regardless from where it’s coming from.

Songs like Kheechmeri photo was your first shot at Bollywood and Thug Ranjha where you took on a Bhojpuri dialect.  Comment.

I am grateful that both these tracks got immense love and recognition from the audience. Kheech Meri Photo was my first Bollywood break and will always be close to my heart and Thug Ranjha was my first independent single and that feeling is extra special.  We decided to do a Bhojpuri version for fun, but I was very clear that I wanted to do it properly. I took diction classes to get my pronunciation and accent right and I hope I did justice to it.

Sometime back, you had collaborated with Ricky Martin on a song VentePa’Ca (Come Here), where you crooned the Hindi lyrics. How did this collaboration come about and what lyrics did you write in the song.

At that time, I had just signed with Sony Music India and Ricky Martin’s team were looking for an Indian female voice for the Vente Pa’ Ca collaboration. Ricky Martin himself selected me from a pool of talented singers and it was like a dream come true to work with the legend himself. The Hindi lyrics are written by the talented Ananyabrata Chakravorty.

You recently worked with Vishal-Shekhar in Aitheyaa from Salman Khan's film Bharat. How did this association come about.

Actually, I wasn’t even aware that Vishal-Shekhar had chosen to use my voice for their track and it was a shock when I finally got to know! I’ve always wanted to work with Vishal-Shekhar and the fact that it stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif is just the cherry on top. It was a blast dubbing for it and I would just like to say thank you to everyone who has shown the song love and attention.

Who are your musical influences?

Growing up, my dad has been my musical idol because I learnt singing from him. From the Indian music industry, Sunidhi Chauhan is someone who has been a major influence and from the West, Beyoncé and Adele.

You’ve also got into hosting TVshows. Can you tell us something on what you are presently working on?

MTV Beats is pretty much the only music channel in India that always focuses on music as content. My association with them goes way back, from when I was part of Angels of Rock and then hosting Secret Side with Akasa. Now, we are back again with a new show called MTV Beats Top 20 Countdown that is a weekly chart for hit music combined with a dose of Bollywood stories, inside information and more!

Which artists would you like to work with in the future?

This is a difficult question to answer as there are so many people that I genuinely admire. I think singing a duet with Sunidhi Chauhan would be a dream come true.

What are your hobbies, likes and dislikes?

I love traveling, biking, playing with my dog Treble, doodling, working out, and binge-watching web shows.

Are you very fashion conscious and a fitness freak?

Fashion to me is comfort and I believe that what one wears speaks volume about their identity. I love wearing clothes according to what I feel that day. I do love working out and am quite strict about my gym schedule.

Do you like the outdoors - adventure / travel? Are you a foodie? What is your favorite place and dream destinations?

I love traveling and I’m lucky that because of my shows I get to travel often. My favorite place is Europe and my dream destination would be Maldives and South Africa. I’m not much of a foodie but I love street food.

What projects are you presently working on at the moment, Bollywood and your own solo projects?

I’m currently working on my solo projects and you will be hearing from me soon.

Any gigs coming up in the next few months?

I’m always traveling for gigs and have a lot of plans for the months ahead.

Interviewed by Verus Ferreira