Hard for singers to sell individual work: Neha Bhasin

Singer Neha Bhasin, who has recently released her new single "Tera mera", says it has become harder to sell one's individual work in times when Bollywood has taken over non-film music.

"Solo music albums have almost diminished now. Non-film music does not make much money nowadays. It used to at one time. It is only Bollywood music that sells now," Bhasin, who has sung popular Bollywood numbers like "Dhunki" and "Kuchh khaas hai", told IANS.

"Even if you are a known Bollywood singer, it does not give you enough opportunity to release your own stuff. It is not easy. The medium has changed, and digital platforms are used more now," she added.

Born and brought up in Delhi, Bhasin's golden opportunity came in 2001 when she was among the winners of Channel V's music talent hunt show "Popstars", and got the chance to be part of India's first official girl band Viva! with the other four winners.

The group split sometime later and Neha then stepped into playback singing with 2005 film "Bullet".

The singer is now geared to shake a leg in dance reality show "Jhalak Dikkhla Jaa 5". She is coming on the show as a prospective contestant through a wild card format, wherein six people, including actors like Jay Soni, Rashmi Desai, Avika Gor, Karan Wahi and Rithvik Dhanjani, will compete to get a direct entry into the ongoing show.

The singer admits she is enjoying her dance rehearsals.

"I have always liked dancing and during my college days I was known for both singing and dancing. I am not the best dancer and can't call myself one, but yes, dancing has always been something that I enjoy," she said.

"Both the art forms require a lot of dedication, so I left dancing and took music as a career option," she added.

The 29-year-old, who took training in dance years back, is excited to explore the "hidden and sleeping dancer" in her with "Jhalak..."

"I am already busy in my career and can't give much time to dancing, but 'Jhalak...' has given me an opportunity to explore the hidden and sleeping dancer inside me," said Neha.