‘Audience is more receptive when they see Salman Khan or Alia Bhatt singing’ – Neeti Mohan

She is sexy, hardworking and an enthusiastic learner. We are talking about none other than singer Neeti Mohan, who has carved her niche in Bollywood, and is today one of the most loved voices. Mohan, who has been around for quite some time, churned hits after hits in 2014 in the form of ‘Tune Maari Entriyaan’, ‘Indiawaale’, ‘Bang Bang’ among others and stunned all with her versatility in 2015’s most impressive album ‘Bombay Velvet’, where she was the ‘voice of Rosie Noronha’. Though the film tanked at the box office, it surely showed the tinsel town how good Neeti is with her work. And now the pretty lady is gearing up for some more songs in ‘Shaandaar’,‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ and others. In a candid chat for Pinkvilla’s Musical Monday, Neeti discusses her forthcoming projects, singing for Shahid­Alia and more!

It's been almost 15 years since you started off with Pop stars. How would you describe your journey till now?

Full of suprises and meeting beautiful people and I am still learning and evolving. 

From singing love songs to peppy dance numbers and then Jazz songs. Is it difficult to be versatile? 

It is very natural and there is no effort in it. I have trained in Hindustani music, I love being versatile. I am thrown in situations where I have to pick up different styles.

You won exceptional praises for your songs in Bombay Velvet. Sadly, the film didn't do well. Was it demotivating at any point?

I was disappointed and everybody who was associated with the film was. The kind of depth and detailing we did for the movie, and then it didn't work it was disheartening. I feel bad that such

good music couldn't reach the radio stations. But those who heard have become true fans of Bombay Velvet. And that album will always be a very special one to me and I will always be proud of being a part of it. Also, I don't think it will affect the music fraternity who is trying to get some different kind of music to Bollywood. Last two three years, we have seen lot of rap and very nternational kind of quality is being used.

You recently sung a romantic duet with Sonu Nigam for Brothers. How was the experience?

I was very happy. I have always enjoyed Ajay­Atul's compositions. Till the time I sung, Sonu ji had not sung. It was just a scratch by then. Karan Malhotra, Ajay­Atul just wanted a pure love song wherein they just wanted me to feel that and sing. I am glad that they guided me well. Later on, when the song was going to release they told me that the male part was sung by Sonu Nigam and I was like.. 'Are you kidding me'! Surprisingly the song did well and people loved it too. Even now, the song is a hit with the audience. After 'Bombay Velvet', this song released and people are shocked that I could sing such a different song.

How was it singing for 'Katti Batti'?

As soon as I got a call from the best of the best composers of the country, I get excited because know the song will be brilliant. Sidharth and I recorded the song almost together and when we heard it, we both could relate to it. It was upbeat, mad and youthful and we both loved the song. In fact, people are asking me to sing that song in my shows.

Music plays an integral part in films success. Does that add more pressure when you are recording the song?

That does not reach the singer, it is majorly on the composers. But for singers I think it is more of a responsibility. When composers want us to sing a song, it is because they think we fit the bill.

Amit Trivedi once told us in an interview that music fraternity doesn't get the kind of importance it should get. Do you agree?

What I feel is that when there is a song people do know who has sung it. But visually the medium is so strong that people do not want to know much. They are crazy about them and the song. But in the west, audience is equally mad about you as a person as well as your music. However, now things are changing and audience as well as film stars knows who is singing what. When we perform live, we understand how crazy people are for us!

You have sung for Anushka, Priyanka, Deepika, Alia and Kangana. Is there any actress youwould want to sing for?

I would love to sing for Madhuri Dixit. She adds lot of magic when she is lip syncing. Not that others don't but then I have grown up watching her. 

Arijit Singh or Benny Dayal: With whom do you enjoy working more?

I think I can get comfortable with anybody. I don't have a problem. It is the music which connects and that is way beyond everything. 

You have worked closely with A. R. Rahman. Can he be called as your mentor or Godfather?

It is not that he has officially told that he will be my mentor, but his role is very important in my early years of my career. Even before I debuted with 'Jiya Re' in Jab Tak Hai Jaan, he guided me through various things and I worked with him for 5 years. In that time, I have grown as a person. Even though I didn't have a playback, he included me in his live shows. It is an honour and blessing to share stage with him. In fact, before anything else, I have been a huge fan of his.

Which is your favorite genre of music?

I listen to lot of devotional music. I like that kind of music a lot.

Today many actresses have started singing. Can we blame the technology?

When you are an artist, I am not sure about the training and all, but some of them are really good singers. It is not like blaming the technology and instead it is like using the technology in the good way. It just makes audience more receptive when they see a Salman Khan singing or an Alia Bhatt singing. They will relate to the song more. I wouldn't say it is a negative thing. I would want to take it positively. As an artist if one can sing, dance, act then it is a good thing.

Singles are back in Vogue and you have also churned few of them. Is it easier to come out with singles? 

I think yes because we have so many digital mediums to release the song. It is easy for so many new person to showcase their talent.

What special preparation do you do for singing in different languages?

Yeah I do lot of preparations when singing in different languages. I learn the melody, the meaning of the song then I write it two three times. Post that, I practice the song and then I go for recording. I am never sceptical to accept different songs. I never say never. Every language has its soul. I really like it.

Which are your forthcoming projects?

I would like to do more singles but they are in the pipeline. Nothing is immediately releasing. But I have sung two songs in 'Shaandaar'. One is a love song and the other one is hatke track. They are totally different from each other. I also have a song in ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ but that I will tell you later.

How different are the songs from each other?

One is a love song which I recorded long back. It is called ‘Nazdeekiyaan’ and is a duet with Nikhil Paul George. And the other duet is with Arijit Singh, Swanand Kirkire and Amit Trivedi and that's not a love song. It is more of a fighting song. Overall it’s a nice album ­ peppy, fun song. I love 'Gulaabo', 'Shaam Shaandaar'. Also, I absolutely loved the way it is picturised. Alia is too cool in all of them. I absolutely admire her. She has done her bit. We just sing, but it is Alia and Shahid who have taken the songs visually to a different level.

How was it recording ‘Nazdeekiyaan’?

I wasn't aware of the look of the video but when we were singing, they wanted me to sing it as alullaby, as if two lovers were singing in the night. As if they are feeling it. I just saw the video and it is very cute. Shahid and Alia look damn cute together. It is very nice to see the song like this. The whole experience of song comes alive.

And what about ‘Senti Wali Mental’?

That is more like a sequence in the movie where there is a wedding happening. Alia's sister in the film is getting married, who is slightly plump. So it is like a girls v/s boys song and has tu tu main main wala feel. Both are teasing each other and later on girls win. The dulha cannot stand that and he starts commenting on his dulhan's weight and he ends up hurting her. And then the boy's father interrupts and patch up karwate hai. So it was fun recording it. I loved the lyrics of it. When we were singing there was so much madness happening. First Arijit (Singh) sang then I recorded my part. There was a healthy competition going on.

Alia and you debuted together with the same film – she acted and you sang ‘Ishq Wala Love’. How has it been working with her?

I think it is great and 'Ishq wala Love' will always be special for me. It had Alia in it and now again I am working with her in 'Shaandaar'. It is awesome. Alia blew my mind in ‘Highway’ and since then

there is no looking back for her. She has found herself as an actor and it is beautiful to watch her.