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Shreya Ghoshal says she felt like a misfit for Bipasha Basu's voice in Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai: ‘I was 18 at that time’

Shreya Ghoshal recalled how she had to wait for the right opportunity despite winning National Award for her debut in Devdas. 

Published on: Mar 1, 2026, 14:35:16 IST
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Popular playback singer Shreya Ghoshal made her Bollywood singing debut with Devdas, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, at the age of 16. However, in a recent interview with ABP Network, the singer recalled a lull phase after her debut and revealed how she felt like a misfit for her second song, Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai from Jism.

Shreya Ghoshal talks about being a misfit for Biapasha Basu's Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai song.
Shreya Ghoshal talks about being a misfit for Biapasha Basu's Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai song.

Shreya Ghoshal talks about life after Devdas

When asked whether, after singing in a film like Devdas and winning a National Award for the song Bairi Piya, her journey became easier in the industry, Shreya said, “Devdas was a great launchpad. When you sing in a film with stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit, your beginning is very strong. But it took me a long time to get my next song. It was not as if I called everyone every day asking for work. I waited for the right opportunities. I believe every piece of music deserves the right casting, and if it does not happen at the right time, it does not create magic.”

Shreya Ghoshal on being a misfit for Bipasha Basu's song

She then recalled how she felt like a misfit for Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai in Jism. “I felt like I was a misfit for Bipasha Basu, but it was a very bold choice by composer M. M. Keeravani, who is internationally acclaimed. He said he wanted that exact voice. I don’t think I tried to be sensuous in it, because that does not come naturally to me. I think it was meant to have the rawness of youth — I was 18 at the time. I couldn’t deliver. When they explained the situation to me, I tried to channel my inner Asha Bhosle ji, thinking what she would have done if she were there. But I still did it in my own way.”

Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai was a song from the 2003 film Jism, which starred Bipasha Basu and John Abraham in his Bollywood debut. With lyrics by Neelesh Misra and music composed by M. M. Keeravani, the song became a chartbuster and continues to be remembered by audiences.

About Shreya Ghoshal’s recent work

Shreya is currently a judge on Indian Idol (Season 17), alongside Badshah and Vishal Dadlani. The show premiered in October 2025 and recently featured Anil Kapoor as a guest, who appeared to promote his upcoming film Subedaar, set to release on Prime Video on 5 March.

Shreya most recently sang the song Maatrubhoomi for Salman Khan’s film Battle of Galwan, alongside Arijit Singh and Master Mani Dharamkot. In November last year, she announced her worldwide concert series, The Unstoppable Tour, during which she will perform in India, Australia, the US, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and the UK. The dates for the shows are yet to be announced.

  • Riya Sharma
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Riya Sharma

    Riya Sharma is a content producer at Hindustan Times who lives and breathes entertainment. If there’s gossip making noise in Bollywood or a reality show moment breaking the internet, chances are she’s already writing about it. She loves digging out the juiciest stories, spotting viral pegs and turning it into easy-to-read content. A journalism graduate from IP University, Riya began her career as a social media executive, where she learned the art of grabbing attention in a scroll-heavy world. But her love for showbiz soon pulled her into entertainment journalism, because for her, it’s always been entertainment, entertainment and more entertainment. An artist at heart, Riya has a deep passion for acting, music and dance, which shapes how she watches and writes about films and reality shows. She loves sharing her views and reviews, especially when something excites, surprises or completely disappoints her. A hardcore reality show fan, Riya enjoys tracking every twist, task and meltdown, and breaking them down for readers who can’t get enough of high-voltage drama. Movies are equally close to her heart, whether it’s a big theatrical release or a binge-worthy OTT series, she’s always watching, and analysing what’s worth the time. She loves talking to celebrities, asking questions that go beyond the usual. When she’s not working, she’s either glued to a new web series, hunting for underrated thrillers on OTT platforms, or rewatching iconic Bollywood moments.Read More

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