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?
I wouldn’t say I was away. I was just exploring different musical spaces. I’ve been focusing on independent music, LIVE shows, and experimenting with new sounds. The industry has also been evolving, and film music has taken a different direction. But Bollywood has always been close to my heart, and I was just waiting for the right song. I’m happy to be back with this one.
Bollywood music has shifted towards beats and remixes. Do you think soulful melodies are fading away?
Not at all. Soulful music will always have its place. Many artists today are blending the two – adding soul to upbeat tracks – which is a great balance. Good music is timeless, no matter the style.
A song’s success today depends a lot on reels and trends. Does this put pressure on artists to create ‘viral’ music?
There’s definitely pressure, but I believe good music will always stand out, whether it goes viral or not. Of course, social media plays a big role now. If a song connects with people, it will find its way, whether through reels or just by word of mouth.
Many say frequent remixes make it hard for singers to build their own musical identity. Do artists get enough space for originality?
It can be challenging, but originality always wins in the long run. As artists, we just have to keep creating our own sound and be consistent. Even if it takes longer, the impact is much bigger.
With AI-generated music and heavy auto-tune, do you think real singers might lose their identity?
Not really. Technology can enhance music, but it can’t replace real emotions. LIVE performances, raw vocals, and that personal connection with the audience cannot be recreated by AI. Music is about feeling and an experience.
