A call from SRK, music by Anirudh led to National Award for ‘Chaleya’: Shilpa Rao returns to Jamshedpur

Singer credits hard work, practice, and Jamshedpur roots for success

Keep Your Phone Aside and Learn Music with Heart: Shilpa Rao’s advice to young aspirants

Father Pius encouraged me to pursue music: Shilpa Rao recalls Loyola School Days in Jamshedpur

AI should reduce labour, not replace people: Bollywood singer

Jamshedpur, September 24: National Award-winning playback singer Shilpa Rao returned to her hometown Jamshedpur on Wednesday, September 24, after receiving the 71st National Film Award in New Delhi a day earlier. The award was presented by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at Vigyan Bhawan on September 23 for her soulful rendition of the chartbuster song “Chaleya” from Shah Rukh Khan’s blockbuster film “Jawan”.

The singer, who has become one of Bollywood’s most loved voices, was given a warm welcome in Jamshedpur.

Addressing a press meet at a hotel in Bistupur, Shilpa shared her journey, emotions, and upcoming projects.

At the start of the interaction, Shilpa described the award ceremony as one of the proudest moments of her career. “Receiving the National Award from our Honourable President Droupadi Murmu ji was surreal. This is not just recognition of my singing but also of the entire team that created Chaleya. When you stand on that stage, you feel the weight of years of effort, training, and the support of so many people who believed in you,” she said.

Collaboration with Shah Rukh Khan and Anirudh

Shilpa revealed how the opportunity to sing Chaleya came about. “Shah Rukh sir personally called me from his office and said that Anirudh (Jawan music director ) is doing the music and I should connect with him. The moment I heard it’s Anirudh, I thought let’s do something fresh. When he sent me the song, it immediately felt different. I enjoyed singing it thoroughly,” she said.

She also spoke about meeting Shah Rukh Khan at the recent awards ceremony where both were honoured. “There are very few occasions when you can wish someone and they can say the same thing back to you. We were congratulating each other saying ‘same to you’ because he had also won, and so had I. Awards are not just about individual glory; they are occasions where we come together and celebrate everyone’s work,” she remarked.

On Hard Work and Constant Learning

When asked why every composer wants her to sing for them, Shilpa humbly responded that it is a result of relentless practice and curiosity. “When you stop resting and start working every day, you learn something new each time. For Chaleya, my first meeting was about the shuffle pattern in the song. If you don’t know what a shuffle is, you have to learn it, practice it, and put it into your pocket. Even though it is a love song, it still needed that rhythm. Unless you keep learning constantly, you can’t create something fresh. That’s the key—lots of homework, lots of practice, and the willingness to explore,” she explained.

She added that her routine includes going home after recordings and spending nights listening to new music, learning, and practicing. “It’s hard work, but it’s fun work,” she smiled.

Upcoming Projects with Yash Raj Films and More

Shilpa confirmed that she has more projects lined up with Shah Rukh Khan and is also working on songs with Yash Raj Films. “I can’t reveal too much now, but there are some very exciting tracks coming your way. Each project is a chance to explore something new, and that’s what keeps me going,” she said.

She also shared her experience of working on The ‘Ba***ds of Bollywood, Aryan Khan’s directorial venture. “Aryan has a very fresh perspective, very different from filmmakers who have been around for decades. While we were in the studio recording, we even got the news of the National Award win and celebrated before getting back to work. Working with him has been refreshing because he brings new energy and ideas,” she added.

Journey from Jamshedpur to Bollywood

Media also asked her about her journey from Jamshedpur to the National Awards stage. Shilpa smiled and replied, “Cities may be small or big, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is your work. If your work is good, people will respect and love you regardless of where you come from. I am proud to be from Jamshedpur, and I want to tell youngsters that if you focus on your craft, the world will notice you.”

She recalled her days at Loyola School where she was first encouraged to pursue music seriously. “Our Principal Father Pius always supported me. He told me that academics are important, but if I wanted to participate in music competitions, I could take leave. Without that support from my school, my parents, my brother Anurag, and my friends, it would have been very difficult. It takes a village to raise a child, and my village was Jamshedpur. The people here always supported me and celebrated my journey. I hope we can offer the same support to the next generation of artists,” she emphasized.

Variety and Experimentation in Music

Shilpa explained the importance of variety in her singing career. “You cannot eat the same food every day; similarly, you cannot sing the same type of song again and again. Variety keeps the music alive and keeps me interested.

When asked if she has ever refused a song that later became a big hit, Shilpa replied, “Thankfully, that has never happened. Most composers send me songs keeping my voice in mind. Sometimes I doubt myself, like I did with Khuda Jaane. I thought it was too difficult. But Vishal-Shekhar and director Siddharth Anand had faith in me, and that faith gave me the courage to deliver it.”

She also expressed her interest in exploring hip-hop, calling it a “very interesting genre” she wants to attempt.

Love for Classical and Folk Music

Shilpa urged young aspirants not to depend on shortcuts but to learn the basics. “If you want to be a good musician, learn music properly. India has such rich traditions of classical, folk. Please go to a teacher, keep your phone aside, and use your mind and heart. That is the only way to grow,” she advised.

She also expressed her openness to collaborate on projects promoting Jharkhand’s folk music. “If someone sends me a good song within my range, I would love to sing it. My mind is open to new ideas,” she said, adding that she regularly engages with audiences on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.

Views on Controversies and Trolls

Addressing questions about songs like Besharam Rang from Pathaan that sparked debates, Shilpa said, “No song becomes a hit because of controversy. For a song to succeed, three things are crucial: it must be well composed, well written, and well executed. With Pathaan, Vishal-Shekhar, Siddharth Anand, Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and the whole team did a wonderful job. We dedicated that song to the audience and to celebrating self-expression.”

On trolls, she maintained a positive outlook. “I love everyone, even those who troll. Criticism is part of life. At the end of the day, what matters is that the song connects with people’s hearts,” she said.

Thoughts on Artificial Intelligence in Music

When asked about artificial intelligence, Shilpa gave a balanced view. “AI should reduce the labour we do, not replace people. I would love AI to do my laundry or wash dishes. Even in music, if AI can help me tweak production or adapt sounds quickly, I am open to using it. Technology itself is not bad—it’s how we use it that matters,” she said.

Inspirations and Learning Urdu

Shilpa also spoke about her musical inspirations. “Khuda Jaane has been one of my favourite songs, and I always look up to the legendary singers who came before us. I still learn from Mehdi Hassan’s recordings. For diction, I even started learning Urdu so that I can pronounce words correctly. Learning never stops, no matter where you reach,” she shared.

A Message to Aspiring Singers

In a heartfelt message to young dreamers, Shilpa said, “I cannot give tips on how to become successful, but if you want to be a good musician, please learn music. Dedicate yourself to the art, stay away from distractions, and give yourself time. Hard work and honesty will always pay off.”

Shilpa Rao thanked her hometown for its constant encouragement. “Every time Jamshedpur writes about me, celebrates me, or supports me, I feel grateful. This is my foundation. I hope to inspire young musicians here to dream big and work hard. If I can achieve this, they can too,” she said.