Shilpa Rao on her Hichki song: It's an inspirational song

Her deep, husky voice can lend itself beautifully to any song - from the sensuous Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, 2016) to the heart-wrenching Manmarziyan (Lootera, 2013). After a two-year break since her last outing in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Shilpa Rao is back with Phir Kya Hai Gum from Hichki.

Ask her what made her give a nod to the track and Rao says Rani Mukerji's Naina, who suffers from Tourette syndrome in the film, inspired her. "Since the film was already shot, I saw Rani's struggle with the speech disorder and how people behaved with her. The song showcases how she gathers her inner strength and fights back after feeling rejected. It's an inspirational song, which highlights that you can achieve anything if you put in your heart into it," says Rao.

Having collaborated for the first time with composer Jasleen Royal, the singer says it's a joy to work with an artiste who is as dedicated as her. "She functions like an indie musician. I love her integrity. She is particular about the pronunciation of each word. She takes a lot of time to record, but the fact that she is particular about small things makes her a perfectionist."

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