27 April,2014 10:45 AM IST | | Deepali Dhingra
In less than a year since she arrived in Bollywood, Canada-born Jonita Gandhi has already lent her voice to Shah Rukh Khan and Rajinikanth starrers
It's one thing when you praise AR Rahman but when the Mozart of Madras himself compliments you in his interviews, then it's something to take note of. In recent media interactions, Rahman has spoken highly of singer Jonita Gandhi. The 24-year-old, who also features in his album Raunaq, says she is extremely humbled and honoured that he has praised her. The Canada-born singer who caught the attention of music composers in India through her videos on YouTube, made her Bollywood debut with the title song of Chennai Express and went on to sing for Highway. Recently, she lent her voice to the Rajinikanth-starrer Kochadaiiyaan. Excerpts from an interaction with Gandhi:
Jonita Gandhi has made Mumbai her home but often travels to Canada for gigs
Q. It's your first year in the industry and you have sung for movies starring superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Rajinikanth. How lucky is that?
A. I feel proud to have my voice in movies with such epic superstars. More than the actors, however, I'm interested in doing quality work and singing really great songs. Of course, it is a huge bonus when your voice goes on screen for such celebrated actors.
Q. How big a part has YouTube played in your career? Do you think it's a great platform for
aspiring singers?
A. YouTube has become a staple success tool for all singers these days. It is almost as if a song does not exist until it is available to listeners/viewers on the video sharing website. It is an amazing platform for anyone anywhere to showcase their talent and share their work with the world. YouTube has played a pivotal role in shaping my career into what it is today, and it is through my early collaborations on it, mainly with Aakash Gandhi, which got me a lot of attention online.
Q. How did you get associated with AR Rahman and his album Raunaq? He has been praising you everywhere in interviews. How does that make you feel?
A. Honestly, I never expected that Rahman sir would mention me in his interviews and I am extremely humbled and honoured that he has praised me. It is a dream come true to work with him and I hope I get to work with him more in the future. Rahman sir discovered me on YouTube through a video I have on my YouTube channel; it is a video of me singing the Christmas carol âSilent Night', accompanied by Aakash Gandhi on the piano.
