Nikhita Gandhi: A portion of audience still think actors are singing the songs in films

Singer Nikhita Gandhi says a new movement in the music industry is rising, which is opening doors for the musicians to go all out and experiment

There is no denying that non film music was pushed into mainstream with a renewed energy amid the pandemic, with the independent industry finding a new lease of life. But singer Nikhita Gandhi feels the singers continue to live under Bollywood’s shadow in many ways.

Nikhita Gandhi recently released a song, Dil Ka Kabootar, on which she has worked with Mame Khan

“In the past two years, the music industry has changed a little from being a film centric industry. But I don’t think it has completely detached from the industry,” says Gandhi, adding, “A large audience is still very film dependent. There’s a huge portion of our audience who still think that the actor is singing the songs in movies.

Gandhi also shares that one can’t deny the changing notes of the music industry after the pandemic and lockdown.

“While there is a lot to change, there have been some extremely forward and groundbreaking changes in music. But there’s still a long way to go. But I’m just glad that things have opened up because it has been a very tough time for artists. We were actually atmanirbhar,” asserts the singer, who recently came out with folk-pop fusion track, Dil Ka Kabootar, in collaboration with Mame Khan as part of Pritam’s Jamroom.

Going on further, Gandhi explains, “It is a great time to be a musician in the country, for instance all the cool international collaborations which are happening, The doors that were closed up on us a couple of years ago, have opened up. And it is so cool to be part of that”.

Opening up about the evolving music scene, she believes presently, the music scene is in an unsure yet exciting space.

“Things are changing rapidly with the advent of OTT, with film not being the centrepiece of everything as it usually has been. Because of that, music has been a little motherless in India. It is giving rise to a whole new movement, which is birthing a new kind of music in India,” Gandhi opines.

According to her, her song, Dil Ka Kabootar, is a part of that movement, and reflects the changing landscape of music by merging two different genres, adding, “trying things that are outside the comfort zone of the listeners”.

In fact, the singer, who is known for songs such as title song of Raabta (2017), Ullu ka Pattha (Jagga Jasoos; 2017), Aao Kabhi Haveli Pe (Stree; 2018) and Poster Lagwa Do (Luka Chuppi; 2019), is also working on some international collaborations right now.

“Right now, it is all a work in progress. Soon, I will release my album which is in Hinglish. Maybe one year ago, I would just be sticking to whatever industry I belong to, probably Bollywood. But the upcoming EP shows how I have evolved. That’s who I am as an artist today,” she signs off.