90s Bollywood pop music was the best, and there is no argument there. We had the Bombay Vikings, Leslie Lewis, Alisha Chinai, and more such amazing artists who have us evergreen pop songs that the 90s kids tap their feet to even today! One of the most versatile 90s pop artists is Suchitra Krishnamoorthi who gave us hit tracks like ‘Dole Dole’ and ‘Dum Tara’. She transitioned into her own style of singing when she dropped the ‘A-Ha’ song which also had a retro touch to it. And now, Suchitra has released a new song titled ‘Shararat’, and uff, she has perfectly woven in ghazal and pop giving us an unforgettable melody.
In an exclusive interview with us, Suchitra Krishnamoorthi shares it all – from how the music industry has evolved today to how difficult was it for a woman to make it in the pop industry back in the 90s.
Q. Who is your favourite singer from the 90s?
Suchitra: Well me, of course! But jokes aside the artists of that period were very special – right from Whitney Houston to our very own Daler Mehndi, or Shweta Shetty we all rocked.
Q. How tough was it for women to make a career in the pop industry back in the 90s?
Suchitra: The tough part was getting a break with the music companies. We all went around recording demos, and meeting music executives to give us an ear. So, the tough part was getting that first break – once you got your break then it was up to one’s talent and luck to be able to sustain or not. Unlike today where many artists record their own songs, launch their own YouTube channels and are their own masters.
The problem with today’s model is there is too much clutter – it’s difficult for an artist to stand out or break through the noise. Except for King with ‘Maan Meri Jaan’ or Yohani with ‘Makine Magge Hithe’ which are the non-film songs one remembers? Very few. It’s a tough business. There are 1000 of songs being released every day.
Q. How has the music industry evolved today and what difference do you see?
Suchitra: In India, I do feel the quality of singing has gone very high, thanks to reality shows like Indian Idol. Technologically also we are at par with the world. But sadly it’s getting more and more regional and insular. It’s now being clubbed into Haryanvi music, Punjabi music etc rather than Indian music. Companies chase numbers without nurturing artists. That has resulted in a lot of clutter and very little individual expression. Film music still dominates which is not fair to independent artists who need to be heard more.
Q. How different is your new song Shararat from the ones you have sung before?
Suchitra: It is classically based and it is a mature sound. Many who heard it have been surprised as nobody expected that the ‘Dole Dole’ girl could sing such a kind of a song too. If I were to give it a genre, I would call it ghazal pop. I have been a huge Jagjit Singh fan and subconsciously tried to recreate the ambience of his songs.
Q. Who is your current favourite singer and why do you like them?
Suchitra: There are so so many. I like the Malik boys as musicians – Armaan and Amaal. And there are so many talented people I keep seeing on my Instagram reels. As I said, it is a must for an artist to be musically of very high calibre in today’s time. I cannot wait for audiences to hear my daughter Kaveri sing – she is an extraordinary singer-songwriter.
Q. What kind of music do you like to listen to?
Suchitra: Different genres. Right from pop to Carnatic classical and from Sufi to Latino. Music is music – it is the language of emotion, and I am an emotional person.
Q. What are your thoughts on the old classics being remade? What is that one song you wish never gets remade?
Suchitra: Old classics getting remade is a very good thing. It keeps the music alive. Movies will come and go but a song is forever. A melody lives through centuries – our thumris and khayals are the greatest examples of that.
Also read: “I Don’t Trust My Industry”: Singer Chinmayi Sripaada On The Trauma After Talking About Her Sexual Abuse Case
Q. You said in an interview that you quit acting because of Shekhar Kapur. Do you regret that decision? What inspired you to return to acting?
Suchitra: I do not regret any of my decisions. Yes, my ex-husband did not want me to act, and I was okay with that. Nobody held a gun to my head, and stopped me from acting. Ultimately, it was a life choice I made based on my priorities at that point in my life.
Q. How would you describe being a single parent? Did you find it difficult in the early days?
Suchitra: It is very hard. It is exhausting to hear terms like “strong woman” and “superwoman” today. There is simply no such thing – you cope with what life throws at you in the best way you can. And pray it all works out.
Check out Suchitra Krishnamoorthi’s new song Shararat.