Our house was like a girls’ boarding school, says singer Neeti Mohan

Sun sign: Scorpio

Date of birth: November 18

Place of birth: Delhi

Home town: Delhi

School/college: BITS Pilani and Miranda House, Delhi University

First break: Debuted as a band member of Aasma after winning Channel V Popstars Season 2

High point of your life: Winning the RD Burman award for my first two songs, Jiya Re and Ishq Wala Love

Low point of your life: Coping with my father’s illness

The best part about being a playback singer in Bollywood...

That I get to act behind the mic. I get to play so many characters and enact all emotions.

The most popular musician on your playlist?

Currently, it’s Ed Sheeran.

What’s your favourite memory from your Aasma days?

Back then, we were on this crazy diet and weren’t supposed to eat. So instead, we would steal food.

Are you still in touch with the band members?

Very much. We may not be working together, but we’re still very close because we spent three years of our life together. We get together often and also have a WhatsApp group where we send each other funny voice notes.

What’s the best part about growing up with three sisters?

Our house was like a girls’ boarding school. We were always fighting for each other’s clothes.

What’s your favourite childhood memory from your Delhi days?

Growing up with three younger sisters had many perks. I would choreograph their moves to Madhuri Dixit songs. Our favourite was Koi Ladki Hai from Dil To Pagal Hai (1997). We would wait for the rains, wear the same clothes and make our neighbours watch our ‘performance’.

What’s been your most challenging song till date?

That would have to be Dhadaam Dhadaam from the film Bombay Velvet (2015).

What’s an ideal weekend for you?

I mostly travel on weekends, so weekdays end up being my break days. At home, I’m super lazy. I eat, sleep, watch a movie and chill with my dog, Frodo.

Who’s your favourite travel companion?

My sisters, because we can have mad fun together and give each other a lot of space when needed.

Considering the success of musicals like La La Land, would you want to act in one?

I would love to. I used to do musicals in college, where I would sing, act and dance. Since childhood, I’ve felt that music, dance and acting go hand in hand.

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My Favourites

Movie: Satte Pe Satta (1982)

Lyricist: Amitabh Bhattacharya

Movie soundtrack: The Sound of Music (1965), because this film made me want to become an artist

From HT Brunch, April 2, 2017

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