Sameera Bharadwaj is one the gifted playback singers in Tollywood now who comes from the younger lot. She is adept in Carnatic, Hindustani as well as Western genres. She recently stole many young hearts in Telugu tinsel town with her lovely voice for Telusa Telusa in Allu Arjun’s upcoming film Sarrainodu. Here is an iQlik exclusive chitchat with the effervescent singer:
Hello Sameera..
Hi..
Can you please tell us about your background?
I started learning music when I was in second standard. My mom is into singing but she never tried professionally. However, my grandmother Vaani was a music teacher. I had my early training in Carnatic music from Nedunuri Ramakrishna garu in Hyderabad and Hindustani from Ramamurthy sir in Chennai.
How did you get into playback singing despite having classical training?
My tryst with playback singing began when I was in Class 12. I was singing for many dubbing films from Tamil and other south Indian languages. However, my debut as a full length singer was with Shivam movie by singing a song I love you too. But the bit song I sang in Kick 2 released before that! I stood 2nd in Super Singer 8 season and my mentor was popular singer Ramya Behara.
Do you have any inspiration in singing?
My all time favorite is P Suseela garu. There is no replacement for a singer of that sort. However, I also try to take good things from every singer I listen to.
What about singers in modern generation?
Shreya Ghoshal is very talented in the present generation as she is versatile and sang every style of songs.Personally, I also like Sunidhi Chauhan and Andrea Jeremiah for their peculiar tinge in their voice.
You seem to have sung many songs for S.S.Thaman. Please tell us about the working experience with him.
I happened to approach Thaman through my father in law. When I went to his studio he was very warm and friendly. Thaman asked me to come to sing a track the next day and I was obviously very excited. I was singing the track almost from morning to afternoon and that time he wasn’t there in the studio. But when he came back he made me sing a Hindustani ghazal which he liked a lot. I sang with just the Shruti and nothing else. Then he asked me to sing any genre I like and I sang Zara Zara from Rakhi. He liked my versatility and I’ve been singing for him ever since!
Can you please tell us about some of your popular songs in Telugu till date?
Bruce Lee’s title song took me to good popularity first. Then Chal Chalona from Sher and Gana Gana Telangana from Balakrishna’s Dictator as well. I was delighted to see that my track version for Dictator was used in the film and I came to know about it only during the audio launch. In Sarrainodu I sang the feel good melody Telusa Telusa.
How are you feeling about the response for Telusa Telusa?
I am so delighted to get such response for my song. Though I love melodies very much, I never got much scope to sing them right from Super Singer days. Moreover, I got the brand that I sing more of fast numbers. But this song turned the tables and I gave my best for it! Thaman also liked my rendition and said the song suited me perfectly.
Did you happen to meet Allu Arjun?
Oh yes! I am a huge fan of his and to sing for his film was a dream come true.I met him recently and he was so chilled out. He also said that he liked my Bruce Lee title song as well!
Do you have any specific idea to sing only certain genres?
Not at all. I try to give my best for every genre and that was why I could earn the versatility tag. Its more challenging and fun to sing different genres.
What is your take on changing trends in technology for music recording?
There are pros and cons for it. Earlier days demanded the singer finish the song in single take and that was why they are so timeless. Now, we are filled with over convenience and everybody can become a singer. But with technology, things are easier for singers because they don’t need to wait for the singer to come. During old days, if one mistake happens the entire song had to be recorded again.
How about the non-Telugu words in Telugu lyrics? What is your opinion on it?
During the earlier days, Telugu was more pure but now it has the mix of Hindi and English. I believe that songs should suit the current trend and it is what audience are looking for.
Do you have any dream composers you want to work with?
Not really. I take the good from every composer I work with and there is a distinct working style or something to learn from every composer.
Okay.. thanks and wish you the best for future projects!
Thank you!
