There is work for everyone in this industry: Anushka Manchanda on her acting stint

Anushka Manchanda is a singer by choice but playback singer by chance. She has crooned extensively for both Tamil and Hindi films. Ever since she began singing for Hindi films in 2006, with the title song in Rohit Shetty’s Gol Maal her numbers, such as the remix of Dum maro dum in Rohan Sippy’s Dum Maro Dum and Jaane kahan se aayee hai in I Me Aur Main have topped the charts. In 2015, Anushka turned to acting as well, in Pan Nalin’s Angry Young Goddesses. In an interview with Firstpost, she talks about her journey: Has Bollywood been able to find a slot for you? I feel like I’m half in and half out! I do honest work and I don’t have any ulterior motives. I know what I am capable of and I know my strengths and weaknesses. It is a constantly expanding industry today where there is work for everyone. I’ve done over a hundred songs now but am still excited when I get called in to the studio by a music director to sing! And I am creating work for myself too.  Are you happy with the film songs that you get to sing? I want to do more! I will always want more! It’s so fun to go into the studio and collaborate with all these talented music directors. I enjoy experimenting and working with different people. That’s why I love doing voice overs for ads and singing jingles. It’s interesting to keep doing new things. How far has popular music in Indian evolved to have an identity independent of Bollywood? We have more platforms for independent music now. More venues for performances. This music is accessible to the audience online. What we need is more support for non-bollywood music from TV channels and big record labels. Unless more money is pumped into promoting this music, it won’t reach far and wide the way Bollywood music does. What prompted you to take up the acting role in Angry Young Goddesses? There are two reasons that I take up any project. One is that the project is incredible and I can do some amazing work. Or two, the people involved in the project are talented, creative artists whom I can learn from and be inspired by. With this project I lucked out, I got both. You’ve kept in touch with all your colleagues in Angry Young Goddesses. We are all extremely close to each other, something that people find hard to believe. Pavleen Gujral and I have a Delhi connection and we spend the maximum time together . I love and respect Sandhya Mridul immensely and we often have lovely conversations about art and life. Sara Jane Dias and I go way back and Amrit Maghera is a weirdo like me. When she was leaving for London last, we stood on the road and howled together. Rajshri Deshpande is a chota packet, bada dhamaka, and she is full of surprises! The bond between us all is real. We love and protect each other fiercely. Your plans for 2016? I am excited about doing more interesting work! I am producing music now and am working on a solo project. I am also making music for advertisements with my younger brother (also a producer). I want to study my craft more. I want to go back to writing songs which are simple and come from the heart.