Hitting the high note

Mona

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May has opened to a high note for playback singer Payal Dev, quite literally! She’s sung three songs for Student of the Year 2, the Karan Johar production.

A fan of the filmmaker, Payal has listened to Kuch Kuch Hota Hai on loop and she cannot believe her luck that it’s with the Karan Johar’s film that she’s got her big break!

“Three songs in a film like SOTY 2, am I not fortunate,” she giggles. The Jawaani Song, Mumbai Dilli Di Kudiyaan, Jat Ludhiyane Da – are three numbers– one a recreation and other two party numbers, and she’s glad among the many, it was her version that got the final go! Not that she’s new to the music industry. She started her playback singing with Grand Masti singing the title track, and followed suit in Great Grand Masti with Lipstick Laga Ke.

And to say that this was never on her list. “I do live shows. Fond of Hindi film music, I never thought I would or could do it. Things just happened slowly.”

Bollywood might be a competitive field, but it’s not that Payal got into the ring. “Music for me is not a career but my life,” she laughs, explaining that her husband Aditya Dev is a music composer too, so it’s like passion and profession having matched to the T.

“It sure did take time but I have already worked with some of the finest people in the industry. She lists Indra Kumar, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, of course, Karan Johar; and there is more – web series, collaborations and solos along with singing in the films.

The Jawaani Song is a recreation, aye or nay to this beaten to death trend? “Recreating music is introducing the new generation to the legends, the condition is that it should be a good job and not ruining the original number.”

Playing favourites 

• Era: The 90s. I loved listening to Alka Yagnik, Sadhana Sargam, enjoyed Anu Malik’s and Nadeem-Shravan’s music. You would still find me listening to Rah mein unse mulakat ho gayi to Kuch kuch hota hai on loop.
• Films: Somehow I am hooked on to thrillers at the moment. I really loved Stree and Andhadhun.
• Recreations: The Jawani Song, for I am part of it!
• Leisure: Love being with my husband and my daughter whom we fondly call Jazz; together we make, sing and play music.

Strong foundation

I got my basic classical training from my mother and that sure did lay a strong foundation. If you have a background in classical music, any genre is a song, literally.

I adore

Asha Ji and Lata ji are the gods of the music industry. Kishore da, Mukesh, Rafi – together they have given Bollywood music the identity it enjoys.