For more than a decade, singer Shilpa Rao has built one of the most varied discographies in contemporary Indian film music — from “Khuda Jaane” and “Besharam Rang” to “Kaavaalaa”, Cocktail 2’s “Jag Se Laaj” and Alpha’s “Massacre”.
Working across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and more, she has built a career spanning romantic ballads, dance numbers and independent music, refusing to measure success by hits. In this conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Rao discusses her creative philosophy, her collaborators across industries, and the new music she has in the works.
Edited excerpts from the conversation:
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER INDIA: Has the industry’s approach to female-led music changed?
SHILPA RAO: There was a phase, I won’t shy away from saying it, where there were a lot of male-driven albums and songs. But that’s changed, in the last three or four years. Women of different walks of life, with different personalities, are voicing so many amazing songs, and it’s a collective effort of each and every female artiste, not one person alone.
Musicians don’t need to wait for anyone anymore; they have the capacity to put out their own music. It’s only going to get better from here.
THR INDIA: Songs like “Khuda Jaane” and “Subhanallah” are remembered for their unhurried, romantic quality. Do you feel that kind of music is still being made?
RAO: I’m not somebody who tries for nostalgia or lives in the past. There will be a day when I’m no longer working professionally, maybe then I’ll think about all this. Music evolves as society evolves. We did “Barbaad” last year, and it has a special place in people’s hearts. Every song has its own aura — you can’t compare one era with another.
THR INDIA: Is there a kind of music you still want to explore?
RAO: There are many, actually. I have projects lined up for the next six months to a year. My approach is to keep an open mind. I don’t listen to anything with prior assumptions. If I connect with something, I do it.
THR INDIA: You’ve worked on numerous projects with Anirudh Ravichander; what’s that been like?
RAO: He’s an interesting and spontaneous musician to work with and there’s mutual respect. Since his songs are often in a different language, it takes me more time to adapt. I don’t always get time to make notes, but once I’m in the studio, it’s a very living-in-the-moment energy — more of a jam than a recording session.
THR INDIA: Artificial intelligence is now capable of cloning voices and generating music. Does that feel like a real threat?
RAO: Why do we look at it as a threat? Just because it’s been said that it is? I think we should use our own minds and hearts instead of being gullible. I feel AI is new, everyone should try it and see how it can make life easier. There’s a fitting line from an ad: pehle istemal kare, phir vishwas kare — first use it, then believe it.
Every technical advancement, we’ve found a way to live with. I have faith in humanity to do good things with art.
THR INDIA: What is the biggest struggle in the music industry currently?
RAO: I think everyone’s too afraid — ‘Will it be a hit, will it go viral?’ Step out of the house fearlessly and make music that moves you. How is it a risk when you’re investing in your own self? We should just live and work a little more fearlessly. And yeah, dekha jayega — we’ll figure it out.
THR INDIA: What were your career goals when you started out?
RAO: I never have goals or a plan. I wake up, get my coffee fix, and get on with life — you practise, learn, record, create, collaborate, and have a great time with friends. Be a good human being, sleep well, be present. That’s a good life.
I’m working on a couple of recordings simultaneously with amazing artistes right now — it’s all a work-in-progress. I’m also trying to put down some indie stuff on my own; I hope to put that out soon.
