Look up playback singer in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

A playback singer is a singer whose singing is prerecorded for use in movies. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras, while the actual singer does not appear on screen.

South Asia[link]

South Asian movies produced in the Indian subcontinent are particularly known for using this technique. A majority of Indian movies (particularly Bollywood and other regional films) as well as Pakistani movies, typically include six or seven songs. Popular playback singers in India enjoy the same status as popular actors, and music directors, such as Rahul Dev Burman (1939–1994)^[1][2] and A. R. Rahman,^[3] also receive wide public admiration.

Most of the playback singers are initially trained in classical music, though they later often expand their range.^[4] The sisters Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, who have mainly worked in Hindi films, are often referred to as two of the best-known and most prolific playback singers in India.^{[5][6][7][8][9]} In 1991, Mangeshkar was cited by the Guinness Book of World Records for having sung more than 30,000 solo, duet and chorus-backed song recordings, more than any other singer in the world.^[10][11] In 2011, Guinness officially acknowledged Asha Bhosle as the most recorded artist in music history, surpassing her sister.^[12]

Other popular singers include but are not limited to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Mohammed Rafi,^[5] Mukesh, Manna Dey, Hemant Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Geeta Dutt, Anuradha Paudwal, S.P. Balasubramaniam, S. Janaki,^[13] Swarnalatha,^[14] Alka Yagnik, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Udit Narayan, Kumar Sanu, Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal and Sunidhi Chauhan.^[15][16]

Famous Pakistani playback singers include Ahmed Rushdi,^[17] Mehdi Hassan, Masood Rana, Adnan Sami Khan, Noor Jehan, Mala and Runa Laila.^[18][19]

Songs in Bollywood movies — the combined products of the talents of lyricists, music directors/composers, and singers — often determine the extent of success of individual movies; as such, playback singers are an important part of the Indian film industry. Soundtracks for movies are usually released before the movies themselves.

Hollywood[link]

Playback singing is not as common in Hollywood given the fact that musicals are not as frequent. It was, however, more widely used in the past. Notable Hollywood performances include Marni Nixon in West Side Story for Natalie Wood's character, Bill Lee voicing the Christopher Plummer character in The Sound of Music,^[20], Lindsay Ridgeway for Ashley Peldon's character as Darla Dimple in the animated film Cats Don't Dance, Claudia Brücken providing the singing voice for Erika Heynatz's character as Elsa Lichtmann in L.A. Noire, and Betty Noyes singing for Debbie Reynolds in Singin' in the Rain,^[21] a movie in which playback singing is a major plot point.

See also[link]

• List of Indian playback singers
• List of Pakistani film singers
• Lip-synching in music
• Dubbing, also known as looping or post-sync.

References[link]

v t e Cinema of India Industries Assamese Bengali Bhojpuri Hindi Kannada Konkani Malayalam Marathi Oriya Punjabi Rajasthani Tamil Telugu Tulu Indian films Assamese Bengali Bhojpuri English Gujarati Hindi Kannada Konkani Malayalam Marathi Oriya Punjabi Sindhi Tamil Telugu Tulu Urdu Other topics Actors Art Directors Awards Directors Choreographers Cinematographers Composers Costume designers Editors Festivals Lyricists Playback singers Producers Screenwriters Studios

Shreya Ghoshal
Shreya Ghoshal at X Factor Finalists Introduction
Background information
Birth name	Shreya Ghoshal
Born	(1984-03-12) March 12, 1984 (age 28)
Origin	Durgapur, West Bengal, India
Genres	Ghazal, Filmi, Hindustani classical music
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Sagarika
Website	shreyaghoshal.com

Shreya Ghoshal (born March 12, 1984) is an Indian singer. Best known as a playback singer in Hindi films, she also sings in other Indian languages including Bengali, Assamese, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya,^[1] Gujarati, Tamil and Telugu.

Ghoshal's career began when she won the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa contest as an adult. Her Bollywood playback singing career began with Devdas, for which she received National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer along with Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer and Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent.^[2] Since then, she has worked in more than 180 films and received four National Film Awards, four Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer and four Filmfare Awards South.

Biography[link]

Early years[link]

Ghoshal was born on March 12, 1984 to a Bengali Hindu family in Durgapur, West Bengal. She grew up in Rawatbhata, a small town near Kota, Rajasthan. Her father, Mr. Biswajeet Ghoshal, works as a nuclear power plant engineer for the Nuclear Power Corporation of India, whereas her mother is a literature post-graduate.^[3]

From the age of four, Ghoshal accompanied her mother on the harmonium. She got training in Hindustani classical music in Kota with Maheshchandra Sharma.^[4]

As a child, she won the children's special episode of the Sa Re Ga Ma (now Sa Re Ga Ma Pa) contest on Zee TV. Kalyanji, who also judged the competition, convinced her parents to move to Mumbai.^[5] She trained with Kalyanji for 18 months and continued her classical music training with Mukta Bhide in Mumbai.^[4]

She studied at Atomic Energy Central School (AECS) at Rawatbhata and Anushaktinagar (Mumbai). After graduation she enrolled at SIES College.^[3]

Career[link]

Shreya Ghoshal caught the attention of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali when she participated in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa for a second time, this time as an adult.^[2] In 2000, he offered her the opportunity to be the voice of Paro, the lead female character of the film Devdas, who was portrayed by Aishwarya Rai.^[2] Ghoshal sang five songs in the film. Her performance won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer, as well as Filmfare's RD Burman Award for New Music Talent. She also won the National Film Award for the song "Bairi Piya".^[6]

She has received Filmfare awards in Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada industries and State Film Awards from Malayalam, Tamil industries. She debuted in South through the song "Yen Chellam" in Vasantha Balan's Tamil film Album and got noticed after singing "Munbe Vaa" from Sillunu Oru Kaadhal under composer A. R. Rahman.^[7] She debuted in Malayalam through a studio album of composer Alphons Joseph and later gave voice to his song "Vida Parayukayano" from Big B.^[8] Her songs in Malayalam film Anwar became huge hits in South India and topped many charts for weeks. In 2010, Shreya sang for the English independent film "When Harry Tries to Marry"

She has also been a judge for Star Voice Of India-Chhote Ustaad with singer Kunal Ganjawala and composer Pritam.^[9] Ghoshal was one of the three judges in X Factor (India) with Sonu Nigam and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.^[10]

Discography[link]

• Bendhechhi Beena (1998)
• O Tota Pakhi Re (1998)
• Ekti Katha (1999)
• Mukhor Porag (2000)
• Rupasi Raate (2000)
• Banomali Re (2002)
• Jabo Tepantor (2003)
• Akasher Mukhomukhi (2002)
• Swapner Pakha (2003)
• Thikana (2006)
• Ustad & the Divas (2006)
• Krishna Bina Ache Ke (2007)
• Kanadau Vitthalu (2007)
• Big B (Malayalam,2007)
• Jete Daao Amay (2008)
• Mazhi Gaani – Shreya Ghoshal (2008)
• A Tribute to R. D. Burman (2010)
• Ei Aakash Tomari
• Milan Piyasi
• Rim Jhim
• Tumi Bolo Ami Shuni

Screen[link]

• 2003: Ghoshal made an on-screen appearance in the Saaya film song "Har Taraf"
• 2011: First advertisement for jewellery store Joyalukkas in 5 languages (Hindi,^[11] Kannada,^[12] Malayalam,^[13] Tamil,^[14] Telugu^[15])

Awards, nominations and recognitions[link]

National Film Awards^[16]

• 2003: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Bairi Piya" (Devdas – Hindi)
• 2006: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Dheere Jalna" (Paheli – Hindi)
• 2008: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Yeh Ishq Haaye" (Jab We Met – Hindi)
• 2009: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Jeev Rangala" (Jogwa – Marathi) & "Pherari Mon" (Antaheen – Bengali)

Filmfare Awards^[16]

Won

• 2003: Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent
• 2003: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (shared with Kavita Krishnamurthy) – "Dola Re" (Devdas)
• 2004: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai" (Jism)
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Barso Re" (Guru)
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Teri Ore" (Singh Is Kinng)

Nominated

• 2003: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Bairi Piya" (Devdas)
• 2006: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Agar Tum Mil Jao" (Zeher)
• 2006: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2007: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Pal Pal Har Pal" (Lage Raho Munna Bhai)
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Yeh Ishq Haaye" (Jab We Met)
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Zoobi Doobi" (3 Idiots)
• 2011: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)
• 2011: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Noor-e-Khuda" (My Name Is Khan)
• 2012: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Teri Meri" (Bodyguard)
• 2012: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Saibo" (Shor in the City)

Filmfare Awards South^[16]

Won

• 2006: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) – "Munbe Vaa" (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal)
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Ninna Nodalenthu" (Mussanjemaatu)
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) – "Kizhakku Pookkum"(Anwar)^[17]
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) – "Un Perai Sollum" (Angadi Theru)^[17]

Nominated

• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Aakasha Bhoomi" (Mussanjemaatu)^[18]
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Moggina Manasali" (Moggina Manasu)^[18]
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) – "Then Then" (Kuruvi)^[18]
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Telugu) – "Merupulaa" (Chintakayala Ravi)^[18]
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) – "Oru Vetkam" (Pasanga)^[19]
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Hoovina Banadhande"(Birugali)
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Yenu Helabeku" (Maleyali Jotheyali)
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) – "Chandhu Thottille" (Banaras)
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Eradu Jedeyannu"(Jackie)^[20]
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Yello Jinugiruva"(Just Math Mathalli)^[20]
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) – "Manju Mazha Kaattil"(Aagathan)^[20]

IIFA Awards^[16]

Won

• 2003: IIFA Best Female Playback Award (shared with Kavita Krishnamurthy) – "Dola Re" (Devdas)
• 2004: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai" (Jism)
• 2008: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Barso Re" (Guru)
• 2009: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Teri Ore" (Singh Is Kinng)

Nominated^[21]

• 2006: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2007: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Pal Pal Har Pal" (Lage Raho Munna Bhai)
• 2008: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Yeh Ishq Haaye" (Jab We Met)
• 2008: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Thode Badmash" (Saawariya)
• 2008: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Mere Dholna" (Bhool Bhulaiyaa)
• 2010: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Zoobi Doobi" (3 Idiots)
• 2011: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)

Zee Cine Awards^[16]

Won

• 2003: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer (shared with Kavita Krishnamurthy) – "Dola Re" (Devdas)
• 2006: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2008: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer – "Barso Re" (Guru)
• 2012: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer - "Saibo" (Shor in the City)

Nominated^[21]

• 2007: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer – "So Jaoon Main" (Woh Lamhe)
• 2012: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer - "oh la la" (The Dirty Picture)
• 2012: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer - "Teri meri" (Bodyguard)

Screen Awards^[16]

Won

• 2004: Screen Award for Best Female Playback – "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai" (Jism)
• 2006: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2008: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Barso Re" (Guru)
• 2011: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)^[22]
• 2012: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback - "Oh La La" (The Dirty Picture)

Nominated^[21]

• 2007: Screen Award for Best Female Playback – "O Saathi Re" (Omkara)
• 2008: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Yeh Ishq Hai" (Jab We Met)
• 2009: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Teri Ore" (Singh Is Kinng)
• 2010: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Zoobi Doobi" (3 Idiots)
• 2011: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Noor E Khuda" (My Name Is Khan)

State Film Awards^[16]

• 2006: Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback – "Munbe Vaa" (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal)
• 2009: Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer – "Chandhu Thottille" (Banaras)

Apsara Awards^[16]

Won

• 2008: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Barso Re" (Guru)^[23]
• 2009: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Teri Ore" (Singh Is Kinng)^[21]
• 2010: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai" (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)^[24]
• 2012: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer - "Teri Meri" (Bodyguard)

Nominated^[21]

• 2005: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2008: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Yeh Ishq Hai" (Jab We Met)
• 2009: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Aahista Aahista" (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
• 2010: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Aaj Dil" (Blue)
• 2011: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)
• 2012: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer - "Saibo" (Shor in the City)

Global Indian Film and Television Honours

Nominated

• 2006: Global Indian Film Awards for Best Playback Singer (Female) – "O Saathi Re" (Omkara)^{[citation needed]}
• 2007: Global Indian Film Awards for Best Playback Singer (Female) – "Pal Pal Har Pal" (Lage Raho Munna Bhai)^{[citation needed]}
• 2011: The Global Indian Film And Television Honors for Best Playback Singer Female – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)^{[citation needed]}

Winner

• 2012: The Global Indian Film And Television Honors for Best Playback Singer Female - "oh la la" (The Dirty Picture)

Asianet Film Awards

• 2011: Asianet Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Manjumazha" (Aagathan)
• 2012: Asianet Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer - Pranayam, Rathinirvedam

Other Awards^[16]

• 2003: Sansui Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Dola Re" (Devdas)
• 2003: Stardust Award – New Musical Sensation (Female) – (Devdas)^[25]
• 2004: Indian Telly Awards – Best Title Singer for a TV Show (Ye Meri Life Hai)
• 2005: Anandalok Puraskar – Best Playback Singer – (Manik)
• 2005: ETV Bangla Film Awards – Best Playback Singer – Female
• 2006: Bengal Film Journalists' Association – Best Female Playback Award – Shubho Drishti
• 2008: Zee Astitva Award – Excellence in Music
• 2009: Mirchi Music Award – Best Female Playback Singer (Kannada) – "Na Naguva Modalene" (Manasaare)^[26]
• 2009: Mirchi Music Award – Best Female Playback Singer (Malayalam) – "Chandhu Thottille" (Banaras)^[26]
• 2010: BIG Bangla Music Award – BIG Bangla singer of the year (Female)
• 2010: Gulf Malayalam Music Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Anuragavilochananayi" (Neelathamara)
• 2010: Star Anando Sera Bengali Award
• 2011: Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Manjumazha" (Aagathan)^[27]
• 2011: Vijay Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Mannippaya" (Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa)^[28][29]
• 2011: Vijay Music Awards – "Mannippaya" (Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa)^[30]
• 2011: Swaralaya Yesudas Award^[31]
• 2012: Big Star Entertainment Award for Best Female Singer - "Teri Meri" (Bodyguard)
• 2012: Maa Music Award for Best Female Singer - "Chali Chaliga" (Mr. Perfect) and "Seeta Seemantam"(Sri Rama Rajyam)

See also[link]

• List of Indian playback singers

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Shreya Ghoshal

• Official website
• Shreya Ghoshal at the Internet Movie Database
• Shreya dislikes being called 'playback'
• Reality shows, all commercial: Shreya Ghoshal
• Playlist: Best songs of birthday girl Shreya Ghoshal

Sunidhi Chauhan
Sunidhi Chauhan at the launch of Indian Idol 6.
Background information
Birth name	Nidhi Chauhan
Born	(1983-08-14) 14 August 1983 (age 28) New Delhi, India
Genres	playback singing, Indipop
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocalist
Years active	1996–present

Sunidhi Chauhan (born Nidhi Chauhan^[1] on 14 August 1983) is an Indian playback singer, best known for her Hindi film songs in Bollywood. She has also recorded songs for Marathi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Bhojpuri, Bengali, Assamese and Gujarati films .^[2]

Chauhan began to sing at the age of four^[3] and was discovered by a local TV anchor.^[4] She won recognition through a televised singing contest, Meri Awaz Suno, which she won, and made her entrance into playback singing with the Hindi film Shastra.^[4]

Her breakthrough was Ram Gopal Varma's film Mast, in which she sang the hit song, "Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi."^[4] She has been nominated for fourteen Filmfare Awards, winning it on three occasions. She has won two Star Screen Awards, two IIFA Awards and one Zee Cine Award.

Early career[link]

Sunidhi Chauhan family hail from Uttar Pradesh. She started her singing career as a child, giving her first performance at the age of four, in a local temple in Delhi.^[3] Thereafter, she began to participate in, and sing for, competitions and local gatherings. When local TV anchor, Tabassum, spotted her talent, her family shifted to Mumbai in a bid to further develop the young singer's skills, and Chauhan became the lead singer in Kalyanji's 'Little Wonders' troupe.^[4]

Recognition first met her in 1996, through the music show Meri Aawaz Suno — the first such televised contest in India — which was broadcast through the Indian national television channel, Doordarshan. She won the competition and bagged the top prize of recording an album, Aira Ghaira Nathu Khaira, with HMV.^[4]

Unluckily for Chauhan, Aira Ghaira Nathu Khaira was promoted as a children's album and failed to get the recognition it deserved.^[4] In 2002, Chauhan herself observed this in an interview:

"My first song and the contest did not help me much. Nothing happened for a while. But by then, I had made up my mind that I will pursue singing as a career."^[5]

Chauhan stepped into the world of playback singing with the 1996 Bollywood film, Shastra,^[2][4] after Aadesh Srivastava asked her to lend her voice to the song "Larki Deewaani Dekho, Ladka Deewaana."^[5] She followed it with work in films like Gang, Veergati, Dahek, Bade Dilwala, Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat and Samar. By the age of nineteen, Chauhan had already lent her voice to over 350 songs.^[5]

Breakthrough and later work[link]

Chauhan's breakthrough was Ram Gopal Varma's Mast, in which she sang the hit song, "Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi" and three others, including the title song.^[4] In an interview, while speaking of Mast, she said:

"Whatever I am today, I owe to Mast. I met Sandeep Chowta through Sonu Nigam, and fifteen days later, Mast was in my lap. I was only sixteen then."^[5]

In February 2007, as part of its marketing campaign and launch of Windows Vista in India, Microsoft hired Sunidhi Chauhan to sing the "Windows Vista Song"^[2] titled "Wow is Now". This song features English and Hindi lyrics proclaiming the many 'glamorous' features of the Windows Vista operating system.

Chauhan sung for the Hindi-dubbed version of Disney's movie, High School Musical^[2] — songs which were sung by Vanessa Anne Hudgens in the English version. Moreover, she was the singer of the English language song "Reach Out" at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Asian Games at Doha, Qatar.^[2]

2008 was a highly successful year for the young singer, as she went on to deliver a huge number of superhit songs like "Chhaliya" (Tashan), "Rock Mahi," "Lucky Boy," "Desi Girl" (Dostana), "Dance Pe Chance" (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi), and "Race Saanson Ki" (Race), and which resulted in her winning the "Kelvinator GR8! FLO Women Award 2009" for her contribution to music.^[6][7]

In April 2010, Chauhan joined Anu Malik and Salim Merchant as a judge on the fifth season of the immensely popular singing talent show, Indian Idol 5. She will also be judging the sixth season of Indian Idol alongside Anu Malik and Salim Merchant.

Due to her high pitch voice and outstanding stage performances Sunidhi got "Chevrolet GIMA (Global Indian Music Awards) of Best Live Performer- Female"

Sunidhi Chauhan also joined Pitbull, John Ledend, K'Naan and Alicia Keys in the Western Union's World Of Betters to raise fund. Sunidhi sang two English songs, "Call me" and "Valentine". She moved the money to disadvantaged girls of Mumbai to help them discover their inner beauty

Collaborations[link]

Chauhan has collaborated with Indian singers such as Alka Yagnik, Shaan and Udit Narayan. She is known for her popular pairing with Sukhwinder Singh (in films such as Omkara and Aaja Nachle). She is most often paired with singer Sonu Nigam and with the female playback singer Shreya Ghoshal, whom critic's view as a stiff competitor of Chauhan.^[8] She had done a duet with Pakistani singer Faakhir Mehmood for album Mantra, She has also colaborated with Enrique Iglesias, on a song titled as "Heartbeat (India Mix)" which was included on Iglesias' album Euphoria (Special Indian Edition).

Lyricists she has worked with include Jaideep Sahni, Irshad Kamil, Gulzar, Sameer, Prasoon Joshi, Swanand Kirkire, Javed Akhtar and Anand Bakshi;^{[9][unreliable source?]} and the music directors include Vandemataram Srinivas, Bappi Lahiri, A. R. Rahman, Ilaiyaraja, Yuvan, Himesh Reshammiya, Anu Malik, Jatin Lalit, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Pritam Chakraborty, Rajesh Roshan, Nadeem-Shravan, Anand-Milind, Vishal-Shekhar, M. M. Keeravani and others.^[5][9]

Chauhan is one of the few female singers of the present generation who have lent there voice for most of the leading actressess in the Hindi entertainment industry, among those include Madhuri Dixit, Kajol, Aishwarya Rai, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and Konkona Sen Sharma. She has also sung for actresses of yester year cinema, such as Rekha.^[10] She was the main singer who lent voice for the comebacks of two leading Bollywood actresses; Kajol, in the movie (Fanaa), and Madhuri Dixit (Aaja Nachle).^[10]

In 2011, Chauhan got her breakthrough in international pop world by collaborating with international pop star Enrique for Hindi version of song Heartbeat and becomes first Indian female singer for an international collaboration.

Special appearances[link]

In October 2008, Chauhan appeared on a special episode of the singing contest, Star Voice of India, alongside composer Ashu Dhruv, to promote their film, Drona.^[11]

She was a guest RJ for India's Radio City 91.1 FM's new morning show, Musical-e-Azam^[12] where, over her week-long stint, she interviewed the likes of Kunal Ganjawala, Daler Mehendi, Sukhwindar, Adnan Sami and Gulzar.

She also appeared on the Femina Miss India 2011 contest and X-factor India to promote her song HEARTBEAT, a song in collaboration with the international pop star Enrique Iglesias in his album Euphoria.

Personal life[link]

Chauhan was born in Delhi. Her father is a minor theatre personality who pushed her into the music industry from a young age. She has a younger sister, Suneha.^[13]

Chauhan, who believes herself to be "the most versatile singer today," attributes her success to her parents and Indian singer Sonu Nigam.^[2] She has cited Sadma (1983) as her favourite film; gymnastics and cricket as her favourite sports; and Akshaye Khanna and Madhuri Dixit as her favourite actors.^[14] Chauhan also loves western music and cites Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson as her inspirations. She has noted that one of her ambitions is to achieve global fame like they did.^[4] She is known for her admiration of international divas Celine Dion and Whitney Houston.

After entering the film industry, Chauhan upgraded her wardrobe and lost twelve kilos by jogging and working out.^[5] In an early interview, she revealed a "secret dream" of seeing herself as a Bollywood actress, saying, "I have many acting offers too, but I don't want to rush it. Frankly, I would like to do just one or two films to fulfill that secret dream of seeing myself as an actress. But my life is singing and my aim is to keep singing better."^[5]

In 2002, at the age of 18, Chauhan ran away with director and choreographer Bobby Khan, after working on the music video for "Pehla Nasha."^[15] It was reported that the couple married in a secretly arranged ceremony, attended only by very close friends and vigilantly watched over by security.

Chauhan was initially happy with the marriage. In an interview, she said:

"My in-laws don't make me feel I am 'married'. I don't feel I have stepped into a new house. I am so comfortable. And Bobby is a darling. I am very, very happy."^[5]

On the downside, the marriage caused a rift between the young singer and her parents, who considered the union unsuitable and consequently disowned her.^[16] However, Chauhan and Khan separated a year later, bringing about a reconciliation between the estranged parents and daughter.^[17] Chauhan, who lived with mentor, actor and TV anchor, Annu Kapoor and his wife Arunita during the separation, filed for divorce the same year, citing that she had realized she and Khan "wanted different things from life."

On April 27, 2012, Sunidhi Chauhan tied the knot childhood friend and music composer Hitesh Sonik at a low profile wedding ceremony in Mumbai, but the reception the couple threw saw some colleagues from the industry in attendance. Asha Bhonsle, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Smita Thackeray, Alka Yagnik, Konkona Sen Sharma were spotted at the reception.

^[18]

Filmography[link]

• Ehsaas - A Feeling (Released November 30, 2001) (Special Appearance)
• Bhoot (Special Appearance in Promotional Song Bhoot Hoon Main)
• Bas Ek Pal (Special Appearance in Promotional Song Dheeme Dheeme with singer K.K.)

Awards and honors[link]