Sunidhi Chauhan (born Nidhi Chauhan[1] on 14 August 1983) is an Indian playback singer, best known for her Hindi film songs inBollywood. She has also recorded songs for Punjabi, Marathi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Bhojpuri, Bengali, Assamese and Gujarati films .[2]
Chauhan began to sing at the age of four[3] and was discovered by a local TV anchor.[4] She won recognition through a televised singing contest, Meri Awaz Suno, which she won, and made her entrance into playback singing with the Hindi film Shastra.[4]
Her breakthrough was Ram Gopal Varma's film Mast, in which she sang the hit song, "Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi. "[4] She has been nominated for fourteen Filmfare Awards, winning it on two occasions as well as a Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent. She has won two Star Screen Awards, two IIFA Awards and one Zee Cine Award.
Early career
Sunidhi Chauhan was born in Delhi. She started her singing career as a child, giving her first performance at the age of four, in a local temple in Delhi.[3] She did her early studies in Greenway Modern School, Dilshad Garden in Delhi. Thereafter, she began to participate in, and sing for, competitions and local gatherings. When local TV anchor, Tabassum, spotted her talent, her family shifted to Mumbaiin a bid to further develop the young singer's skills, and Chauhan became the lead singer in Kalyanji's 'Little Wonders' troupe.[4]
Recognition first met her in 1996, through the music show Meri Aawaz Suno — the first such televised contest in India — which was broadcast through the Indian national television channel, Doordarshan. She won the competition and bagged the top prize of recording an album, Aira Ghaira Nathu Khaira, with HMV.[4]
Unluckily for Chauhan, Aira Ghaira Nathu Khaira was promoted as a children's album and failed to get the recognition it deserved.[4] In 2002, Chauhan herself observed this in an interview:
"My first song and the contest did not help me much. Nothing happened for a while. But by then, I had made up my mind that I will pursue singing as a career. "[5]
Chauhan stepped into the world of playback singing with the 1996 Bollywood film, Shastra,[2][4] after Aadesh Srivastava asked her to lend her voice to the song "Larki Deewaani Dekho, Ladka Deewaana. "[5] She followed it with work in films like Gang, Veergati, Dahek, Bade Dilwala, Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat and Samar. By the age of nineteen, Chauhan had already lent her voice to over 350 songs.[5]
[edit]Breakthrough and later work with Anu Malik
Chauhan's breakthrough was Ram Gopal Varma's Mast, in which she sang the hit song, "Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi" and three others, including the title song.[4] In an interview, while speaking of Mast, she said:
"Whatever I am today, I owe to Mast. I met Sandeep Chowta through Sonu Nigam, and fifteen days later, Mast was in my lap. I was only sixteen then. "[5]
In February 2007, as part of its marketing campaign and launch of Windows Vista in India, Microsoft hired Sunidhi Chauhan to sing the "Windows Vista Song"[2] titled "Wow is Now". This song features English and Hindi lyrics proclaiming the many 'glamorous' features of the Windows Vista operating system.
Chauhan sung for the Hindi-dubbed version of Disney's movie, High School Musical[2] — songs which were sung by Vanessa Anne Hudgens in the English version. Moreover, she was the singer of the English language song "Reach Out" at the opening ceremony of the2006 Asian Games at Doha, Qatar.[2]
2008 was a highly successful year for the young singer, as she went on to deliver a huge number of superhit songs like "Chhaliya" (Tashan), "Rock Mahi, " "Lucky Boy, " "Desi Girl" (Dostana), "Dance Pe Chance" (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi), and "Race Saanson Ki" (Race), and which resulted in her winning the "Kelvinator GR8! FLO Women Award 2009" for her contribution to music.[6][7]
In April 2010, Chauhan joined Anu Malik and Salim Merchant as a judge on the fifth season of the immensely popular singing talent show, Indian Idol 5. She also judged the sixth season of Indian Idol alongside Asha Bhosale, Anu Malik and Salim Merchant.
Due to her high pitch voice and outstanding stage performances Sunidhi got "Chevrolet GIMA (Global Indian Music Awards) of Best Live Performer- Female"
Sunidhi Chauhan also joined Pitbull, John Ledend, K'Naan and Alicia Keys in the Western Union's World Of Betters to raise fund. Sunidhi sang two English songs, "Call me" and "Valentine". She moved the money to disadvantaged girls of Mumbai to help them discover their inner beauty
[edit]Collaborations
Chauhan has collaborated with Indian singers such as Alka Yagnik, Shaan and Udit Narayan. She is known for her popular pairing with Sukhwinder Singh (in films such as Omkaraand Aaja Nachle). She is most often paired with singer Sonu Nigam and with the female playback singer Shreya Ghoshal, whom critic's view as a stiff competitor of Chauhan.[8]She had done a duet with Pakistani singer Faakhir Mehmood for album Mantra, She has also collaborated with Enrique Iglesias, on a song titled as "Heartbeat (India Mix)" which was included on Iglesias' album Euphoria (Special Indian Edition).
Lyricists she has worked with include Jaideep Sahni, Irshad Kamil, Gulzar, Sameer, Prasoon Joshi, Swanand Kirkire, Javed Akhtar and Anand Bakshi;[9][unreliable source?] and the music directors include Vandemataram Srinivas, Bappi Lahiri, A. R. Rahman, Ilaiyaraja, Yuvan, Himesh Reshammiya, Anu Malik, Jatin Lalit, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Pritam Chakraborty, Rajesh Roshan, Nadeem-Shravan, Anand-Milind, Vishal-Shekhar, M. M. Keeravani and others.[5][9]
Chauhan is one of the few female singers of the present generation who have lent there voice for most of the leading actresses in the Hindi entertainment industry, among those include Rekha, Madhuri Dixit, Kajol, Sridevi, Aishwarya Rai, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Bipasha Basu, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Urmila Matondkar, Shilpa Shetty, Lara Dutta, Dia Mirza, Esha Deol, Anushka Sharma, Parineeti Chopra, Jacqueline Fernandez, Konkona Sen Sharma and Rakhi Sawant.[10] She was the main singer who lent voice for the comebacks of two leading Bollywood actresses; Kajol, in the movie Fanaa, and Madhuri Dixit in Aaja Nachle.[10]
In 2011, Chauhan got her breakthrough in international pop world by collaborating with international pop star Enrique for Hindi version of song Heartbeat and becomes first Indian female singer for an international collaboration.
[edit]Special appearances
In October 2008, Chauhan appeared on a special episode of the singing contest, Star Voice of India, alongside composer Ashu Dhruv, to promote their film, Drona. [11]
She was a guest RJ for India's Radio City 91.1 FM's new morning show, Musical-e-Azam[12] where, over her week-long stint, she interviewed the likes of Kunal Ganjawala, Daler Mehendi, Sukhwindar, Adnan Sami and Gulzar.
She also appeared on the Femina Miss India 2011 contest and X-factor India to promote her song HEARTBEAT, a song in collaboration with the international pop star Enrique Iglesias in his album Euphoria.
[edit]Personal life
.jpg)
Chauhan was born in Delhi. Her father is a minor theatre personality who pushed her into the music industry from a young age. She has a younger sister, Suneha.[13]
Chauhan, who believes herself to be "the most versatile singer today, " attributes her success to her parents and Indian singerSonu Nigam.[2] She has cited Sadma (1983) as her favourite film; gymnastics and cricket as her favourite sports; and Akshaye Khanna and Madhuri Dixit as her favourite actors.[14] Chauhan also loves western music and cites Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson as her inspirations. She has noted that one of her ambitions is to achieve global fame like they did.[4] She is known for her admiration of international divas Celine Dion and Whitney Houston.
After entering the film industry, Chauhan upgraded her wardrobe and lost twelve kilos by jogging and working out.[5] In an early interview, she revealed a "secret dream" of seeing herself as a Bollywood actress, saying, "I have many acting offers too, but I don't want to rush it. Frankly, I would like to do just one or two films to fulfill that secret dream of seeing myself as an actress. But my life is singing and my aim is to keep singing better. "[5]
In 2002, at the age of 18, Chauhan married director and choreographer Bobby Khan, after working on the music video for "Pehla Nasha. "[15] It was reported that the couple married in a secretly arranged ceremony, attended only by very close friends and vigilantly watched over by security.
Chauhan was initially happy with the marriage. In an interview, she said:
"My in-laws don't make me feel I am 'married'. I don't feel I have stepped into a new house. I am so comfortable. And Bobby is a darling. I am very, very happy. "[5]
On the downside, the marriage caused a rift between the young singer and her parents, who considered the union unsuitable and consequently disowned her.[16] However, Chauhan and Khan separated a year later, bringing about a reconciliation between the estranged parents and daughter.[17] Chauhan, who lived with mentor, actor and TV anchor, Annu Kapoor and his wife Arunita during the separation, filed for divorce the same year, citing that she had realized she and Khan "wanted different things from life. "
On April 27, 2012, Sunidhi Chauhan tied the knot with childhood friend and music composer Hitesh Sonik at a low profile wedding ceremony in Mumbai,[18]but the reception the couple threw saw some colleagues from the industry in attendance. Asha Bhonsle, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Smita Thackeray, Alka Yagnik, Konkona Sen Sharma were spotted at the reception.[19]
[edit]Filmography
- Ehsaas - A Feeling (Released November 30, 2001) (Special Appearance)
- Bhoot (Special Appearance in Promotional Song Bhoot Hoon Main)
- Bas Ek Pal (Special Appearance in Promotional Song Dheeme Dheeme with singer K. K.)
[edit]Awards and honors
| Year | Category | Song and Film | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filmfare Awards | ||||
| 2000 | Best Playback Singer - Female | "Ruki Ruki" (Mast) | Nominated | |
| 2001 | R. D. Burman Award for Most Promising Newcomer[20] | Winner | ||
| Best Playback Singer - Female | "Mehboob Mere" (Fiza) | Nominated | ||
| 2005 | Best Playback Singer - Female | "Dhoom Machale" (Dhoom) | Nominated | |
| 2006 | Best Playback Singer - Female | "Kaisi Paheli" (Parineeta) | Nominated | |
| Best Playback Singer - Female | "Deedar De" (Dus) | Nominated | ||
| 2007 | Best Playback Singer - Female | "Beedi" (Omakara) | Winner | |
| Best Playback Singer - Female | "Soniye" (Aksar) | Nominated | ||
| Best Playback Singer - Female | "Aashiqui Main" (36 China Town) | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | Best Playback Singer - Female | "Aaja Nachle" (Aaja Nachle) | Nominated | |
| Best Playback Singer - Female | "Sajnaji Vari Vari" (Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.) | Nominated | ||
| 2009 | Best Playback Singer - Female | "Dance Pe Chance" (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi) | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Best Playback Singer - Female | "Chor Bazari" ( Love Aaj Kal) | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Best Playback Singer - Female | "Udi" ( Guzaarish) | Nominated | |
| Best Playback Singer - Female | "Sheila Ki Jawani" ( Tees Maar Khan) | Winner | ||
| Star Screen Awards | ||||
| 2001 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Bhumro for Mission Kashmir | Nominated | |
| 2004 | Best Playback Singer - Female | "Meri Zindagi Mein Aaye Ho for Armaan | Nominated | |
| 2004 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Sajna Ve Sajna for Chameli | Winner | |
| 2005 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Dhoom Machale (Dhoom) | Nominated | |
| 2006 | Best Playback Singer - Female | "Kaisi Paheli" (Parineeta) | Nominated | |
| 2007 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Beedi Jalaile for Omkara | Winner | |
| 2008 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Sajnaji Vaari for Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. | Nominated | |
| 2009 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Dance Pe Chance for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Chor Bazari for Love Aaj Kal | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Sheila Ki Jawani for Tees Maar Khan | Nominated | |
| Awards of the International Indian Film Academy | ||||
| 2001 | Best Female Playback Singer | Mehboob Mere for Fiza | Nominated | |
| 2005 | Best Female Playback Singer | Dhoom Machale for Dhoom | Winner | |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Sajna Ve for Chameli | Nominated | ||
| 2006 | Best Female Playback Singer | Kaisi Paheli for Parineeta | Nominated | |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Deedar De for Dus | Nominated | ||
| 2007 | Best Female Playback Singer | Crazy Kiya Re for Dhoom 2 | Nominated | |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Beedi Jalaile for Omkara | Winner | ||
| 2008 | Best Female Playback Singer | Aaja Nachle for Aaja Nachle | Nominated | |
| 2009 | Best Female Playback Singer | Desi Girl for Dostana | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Best Female Playback Singer | Chor Baazari for Love Aaj Kal | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Sheila Ki Jawani for Tees Maar Khan | Nominated | |
| Best Playback Singer - Female | Ainvay Ainvay for Band Baaja Baraat | Nominated | ||
| Best Playback Singer - Female | Udi for Guzaarish | Nominated | ||
| 2012 | best playback singer-female | te amofor dum maaro dum | ||
| Zee Cine Awards | ||||
| 2005 | Best Female Playback Singer | Dhoom Machale for Dhoom | Winner | |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Kaise Paheli Zindagi for Parineeta | Nominated | ||
| 2007 | Best Female Playback Singer | Beedi Jalaile for Omkara | Nominated | |
| Apsara Awards | ||||
| 2004 | Best Female Playback Singer | Bhage Re Mann for Chameli | Nominated | |
| 2006 | Best Female Playback Singer | Dhoom Machale for Dhoom | Nominated | |
| 2008 | Best Female Playback Singer | Aaja Nachle (Aaja Nachle) | Nominated | |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Sajna Vaari (Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.) | Nominated | ||
| 2010 | Best Female Playback Singer | Chor Bazari (Love Aaj Kal) | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Best Female Playback Singer | Ainvayi Ainvayi (Band Baaja Baaraat) | Nominated | |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Sheila Ki Jawani (Tees Maar Khan) | Winner | ||
| 2012 | Best Female Playback Singer | Te Amo (Dum Maaro Dum) | Nominated | |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Aa Zara (Murder 2) | Nominated | ||
| Global Indian Film Awards | ||||
| 2005 | Best Female Playback Singer | Dhoom Machale (Dhoom) | Winner | |
| 2006 | Best Female Playback Singer | Beedi Jalaile (Omkara) | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Best Female Playback Singer | Sheela ki jawani (Tees Maar Khan) | Winner | |
| GIMA Awards | ||||
| 2011 | Best Playback Singer - Female | "Sheela Ki Jawaani" (Tees Maar Khan) | Winner | |
| Best Playback Singer - Female | "Udi" (Guzaarish) | Nominated | ||
| Best Playback Singer - Female | "Ainvay Ainvay" (Band Baaja Baraat) | Nominated | ||
| BIG Star Indian Music Awards | ||||
| 2011 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Neeyat Kharaab Hai for Teen Patti | Winner | |
| Central European Bollywood Awards | ||||
| 2006 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Mere Haat Mein for Fanaa | Winner | |
| 2007 | Best Playback Singer - Female | "Sajnaji Vaari" (Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.) | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Udi for Guzaarish | Winner | |
| Mirchi Awards | ||||
| 2011 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Udi for Guzaarish | Nominated | |
| Best Playback Singer - Female | Sheela Ki Jawaani for Tees Maar Khan | Nominated | ||
| 2012 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Ishq Sufiyana for The Dirty Picture | Winner | |
| Bollywood Movie Awards | ||||
| 2005 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Dhoom Machale for Dhoom | Winner | |
| Bollywood Hungama Surfers Choice Music Awards | ||||
| 2010 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Sheila Ki Jawaani for Tees Maar Khan | Nominated | |
| Big Star Entertainment Awards | ||||
| 2010 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Sheila Ki Jawaani for Tees Maar Khan | Winner | |
| 2011 | Best Playback Singer - Female | Aa Zara for Murder 2 | Nominated | |
| (Source: Bollywood Hungama) | ||||
Other Awards and Honors
2004: MTV Immies for Best Singer Female (film)- Dekh Le (Munna Bhai MBBS)- Sunidhi Chauhan[21]
2006: RMIM Puraskaar for Female Singer of the Year- Sunidhi Chauhan[22]
2006: RMIM Puraskaar for Song of the Year- Beedi (Omkara)- Sunidhi Chauhan, Sukwinder Singh & Vishal Bhardwaj[22]
2006: RMIM Puraskaar for Best Sung Song- Beedi (Omkara)- Sunidhi Chauhan & Sukwinder Singh[22]
2009: Kelvinator GR8! FLO Women Award
2010: Chevrolet GIMA (Global Indian Music Awards) of Best Live Performer- Female
2010: Big Star Indian Music Award for Best Visualized Song Track (Female) - Udi - Aishwarya Rai Bachchan & Sunidhi Chauhan
2010: Big Star Entertainment Award for Singer of The Decade- Amol D
2010: RMIM Puraskaar for Female Singer of the Year- Sunidhi Chauhan[23]
2011: Massal Award for Best International Female Vocalist Award- Sunidhi Chauhan
[edit]Tamil films
| Year | Film | Song Name | Composer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Dhool | Kundu Kundu | Vidyasagar |
| 2004 | Ghilli | Shalla la Shalla la | Vidyasagar |
| 2006 | Vallavan | Vallava Enai | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
| 2008 | Kuruvi | Happy New Year Kuruvi | Vidyasagar |
| 2008 | Kaalai | Gutka Lakadi | G. V. Prakash Kumar |
| 2012 | Nanban | Irukkana Iduppirukkana | Harris Jayaraj |
| 2012 | Neethaane En Ponvasantham | Mudhal Murai | Ilaiyaraaja |
[edit]Kannada films
- Mungaru Male - Director : Yograj Bhat
- jogi (film) - chukku bukku
- chaluvina chittara (film) - kanaso idu
- gulama (film) - tare yannutare
- gun (film) - ali baba
- huduga hudugi (film) - saathiyaa
- chaitrada chandrama (film) - nooraru janmada
- shree (film) - joke joke
- kodanda rama (film) - hangama
- haage summane (film) - haadonave
- maatad maatad mallige (film) - baro nanna sharuk khan
- E bandhana (film) - banna banna
- madesha (film) - tarammaya
- prithvi (film) - kuku koogile
No comments:
Post a Comment