Kanika Kapoor, the voice behind chartbusters like Baby Doll and Chittiyan Kalaiyan, is back in the Bollywood music scene after almost three years with her rendition of the classic Gori Hai Kalaiyan. In this candid and exclusive chat, she opens up about reinterpreting an iconic song, the evolving soundscape of Bollywood music, the pressure of creating viral hits, and the rise of AI in music. She also talks about the thrill of performing LIVE at concerts. Excerpts:
Gori Hai Kalaiyan is a classic, and you’ve given it a fresh spin for Mere Husband Ki Biwi. What would you like to say about that?
I’m really excited about this one! Gori Hai Kalaiyan is such a loved song, and I wanted to keep its original charm while sounding fresh and fun. It’s like giving an old favourite a little makeover. The original track was sung by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar ji and it’s an absolute honour to have my voice featured in the same song. The excitement of bringing a fresh touch to such an iconic melody is truly overwhelming, and I feel privileged to be part of this musical journey.
You’ve done a Bollywood song after almost three years. What kept you away from Hindi film music?