With a theatre personality for a father, New Delhi-born Sunidhi Chauhan was introduced to music at a young age. It was at the age of four that she gave first stage performance. It was when she won at a television talent show on Doordarshan that her talent was recognised. Her big break came in the form of the 1996 film “Shastra.”
The song “Ladkee Diwani Dekho” happens to be her first song. While she waited for a real chance, she sang in films like “Raja Ki Ayegi Baraat” (1997) and “Bade Dilwala”1999. She also released an album called “Aira Ghaira Nathu Khaira”, though it failed to get her noticed.
It was in 1999 that she was introduced to Sandeep Chowtha. He roper her in for the song “Ruki Ruki” for the film “Mast” (1999). This song, a duet with Sonu Nigam, was to become hugely popular. From then on, she got the opportunity to sing for almost all of the well known music directors. Her powerful voice easily stood out in songs like “Mehboob Mere” from “Fiza” (2000), “Bhumro” for “Mission Kashmir” (2001), “Beedi Jalaile” for “Omkara” (2007) or even the most recent “Shiela Ki Jawani” from “Tees Maar Khan” (2011), her versatility has remained unsurpassed. She is said to have brought an end to the era of “squeaky voices” like that of Lata Mangeshkar or Alka Yagnik. Lata Mangeshkar has, in fact, referred to her as “one of the finest young singers.”
Since her voice was powerful, it suited even the actresses of yesteryears like Rekha. Songs like “Kaisi Paheli” from “Parineeta” (2006) prove to be a case in the point. She has also recorded private albums like “Pehla Nasha” (2002). This was also the time when Sunidhi, all of 18, eloped with choreographer Bobby Khan. Though she claimed to be happy, she was disowned by her parents as a result. She later divorced him to go back to her parents. In the year 2006, she sang for the Hindi-dubbed version of “High School Musical”, where she sung all the songs for Vanessa Hudgens. Also, Sunidhi Chauhan was a part of Enrique Iglesias’ “Euphoria: Heartbeat India” special tour. SOme of the many awards and honours she has won are the R.D. Burman Promising Newcomer Award in 2001, Filmfare Awards for “Beedi Jalaile” (“Omkara”, 2007) and “Sheila Ki Jawani” (“Tees Maar Khan”, 2010)
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