EXCLUSIVE: Payal Rohatgi turns singer, trains at Kailash Kher's academy; says, "I wanted to reconnect with my artistic side"; makes a SHOCKING confession about her Corporate song: "Mujhe bilkul bhi dance nahin aata tha"
Payal Rohatgi, best known as an actress, is now exploring a new artistic avenue, singing. She is currently undergoing dedicated vocal training at Kailash Kher’s singing academy. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Payal opened up about her musical ambitions, her learning journey and a lot more.
It’s a sweet coincidence that we are talking on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the film, Corporate (2006). It featured you in a dance number, which was incidentally sung by Kailash Kher…
(Smiles) That is so nice to know. This is indeed a great coincidence as I have started my singing in Kailash Kher’s academy as well. When I did the song ‘O Sikandar’ in Corporate, I did not know how to dance. It was after shooting the song that I joined kathak classes. I was quite in the news at that time and that’s how I was signed for the item song. Lekin mujhe bilkul bhi dance nahin aata tha. Then, I joined Pandit Veeru Krishnan and learned dancing for 6 months.
I am sure no one got a hint that you didn’t know how to dance…
That’s because main mehnat kaafi karti hoon! If I am determined about something, I’ll work very hard and perhaps give an impression to people that I know how to do it. However, the truth is that at that time, I did not know how to dance. I had two left feet.
What made you try your hand at singing?
I wanted to reconnect with my artistic side after marriage. After getting married, I tried helping my husband, Sangram Singh, with his business ventures. However, I soon realized that this kind of work was draining me. Since I had worked as an actor, I wanted to return to a creative space without taking up something that didn’t genuinely interest me. Singing, therefore, seemed like a very good alternative.
I am very happy in this space. Singing allows me to explore the same artistic nuances, and it brings me a lot of joy. I am learning and enjoying the process.
It was a coincidence, just like the one you mentioned about Corporate. I was heading towards Aram Nagar. I saw his academy and decided to pay a visit. The academy was very nice, sweet, clean and hygienic. Moreover, it was close to my residence. Hence, I decided to join. I told myself, ‘It’s a sign of God that Kailash Kher ji’s academy is so close to my house’. I went there for two months and it was good fun.
Have you met Kailash Kher?
Not since I joined his academy. I met Mr Kher when I was shooting the song in Corporate. But I couldn’t meet him as he was travelling for his shows.
Would you like to sing in films?
I don’t know. A lot of people suggested that once I learned to sing, I should try my hand at playback singing. So, let’s see what life has in store for me. Right now, I am so busy with my raags. I have learned Bilawal Thaat, Kalyan Thaat, Raag Durga, Raag Kafi, Raag Bhairav, Raag Bhairavi, Raag Bhimpalasi etc. I am just enjoying myself exploring so many Raags (smiles). These Raags are very exciting for a person like me. It helps me to modulate my voice. All the Bollywood songs are also based on Raags. Kalyan Thaat's Raman is famous in Bollywood songs. The same applies to Raag Bhimpalasi. So, at present, I am polishing my voice and I have no idea what will happen in the future. Lekin jo bhi hoga, accha hi hoga (smiles).
Also Read: Payal Rohatgi lashes out at Rupali Ganguly amid lawsuit against stepdaughter controversy; says, “You did marry a guy who was married when you met him”
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