With her latest song, Besharam rang, from the Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan starrer Pathaan, Shilpa Rao calls it a wrap for 2022. The racy song that broke the Internet when it dropped a few days ago has Shilpa’s signature Sufi accents and has been composed by Vishal Sheykhar. The song has created a bit of controversy as well, with the composers being blamed for plagiarism. However, Shilpa is in a calm state of mind at the moment and looking forward to a year-ender independent number. She tells The Telegraph why it’s like homecoming under the YRF banner and what clicks between her and composers Vishal-Sheykhar and director Siddharth Anand. Excerpts.
How does it feel when you see your song trending as soon as it drops?
Of course, it feels great but now there’s a little clam that has come about. I become nervous and jittery before the release. But when a song is released, the work is done and you can’t do anything.
Isn’t the song a rejig of the old song Hume to loot liya milke husn walon ne?
No, it’s not a remake. The idea was never to make a remake.
Given that the song is in a genre that you master but has other elements as well, how challenging was it?
Every song is challenging, no song really comes off easy. Also, every song that I sing, I always try to do something new with it. So, if that is the intention then there will be challenges and this too came with its set of challenges. Besharam rang needed simplicity but it had scope for ornamentation so I have used a technique called khatka in ghazal and it brings out the song in a simple way while subtly ornamenting it.
A still from Besharam rang
Is this the first time you are using the technique khatka?
Khatka is rarely used in Hindi songs; it’s usually used in ghazals. So far, I didn’t get any song where I could use it. The beauty of the technique lies in the drop at the end of the lines
What was it about the song that convinced you to use khatka here?
It’s the composition of the song and a lot of other things that led to the judgement. The way the lines of the songs were ending convinced me to use khatka here. Plus it’s the vision of the composers and the director that also became the deciding factor.
You have worked with Vishal-Sheykhar and Siddharth Anand earlier. Tell us about your bond with them.
They have been my favourite since Khuda jane and it’s been such a great run with all of them. I think what’s common with all of us is that we all believe in ‘less is more’ in terms of our expression with music. We try to express with subtlety but with effect; we try to simplify the theme and not complicate it. And that’s why it’s a lot of fun working with them. We are not very serious people, we chill and joke around and it’s also about a lot of food, coffee and gossip.
Pathaan is a big banner film under YRF. How does it feel working with them?
YRF is like home for a lot of us; it’s like family. I started my career with Khuda jane… Jab Tak Hai Jaan was such a landmark film for me… working with Shah Rukh Khan, Gulzar sahab and A.R. Rahman and especially Aditya Chopra sir. He has been quite motivating for me. There’s a certain value addition to YRF films and it feels great to be a part of their legacy. Also, they are celebrating their 50th year so I am really elated and honoured.
What’s next?
I am through 2022 in terms of film projects. The year has been good. I am also doing some independent work and the last one for this year will come out this month. It’s a collaboration with Sashwat Sachdev and I cannot club the song in a genre so I will leave it for you all to decide. I hope people will love that too.