Remember Alisha Chinai?

JackSparrowcraz thumbnail
Anniversary 8 Thumbnail Group Promotion 5 Thumbnail + 2
Posted: 6 years ago
#1

Here's What She Hates About The Current Music Scene in B-town

BY SUBHASH K JHA Monday, 19 March 2018



Alisha Chinai who turned a year older on March 18 is best remembered by Bollywood buffs for her Sridevi number Kate nahin kat-te' in Mr India. Alisha who sang the original number is not even listening to the remixes. "I didn't even know they were doing a re-mix of my most well-known film song until someone pointed it out to me, and I was like, Kate nahin kat-te'? Really? I mean some songs you'd think are just not replaceable. But then I guess the producers who sold the rights for the remix know better.


Alisha who slammed the charts with her seductive chords in the 1980s and 90s currently lives a life of semi- retirement. Not that she is totally out of the music scene. "I have been there done that and I'm semi-retired and blissfully happy right now. To the new singers my advice would be that you don't need record companies anymore! Start your own YouTube channel, showcase your work and get your shows on your own merit! Priyanka Chopra is India's global icon and Ananya Birla is signed to Universal abroad. That's ironic too, it just re-confirms that the music scene in India is suffering badly. They don't recognise real artistes! I record my songs mostly in English and put them on YouTube since that's the best place to expose your talents without fear of intrusion. There is no money in the music industry and playback singing is more or less dead. Alisha feels playback singing has no future. "Artists are uninspired and unmotivated in India as there is no honest collection-bureau for singer's royalties. Singers and music producers are all wary as there's so much corruption in the music business. It's almost like a music mafia here! Singers don't get their dues at all and most of the new singers work for free nowadays! I stopped singing for Bollywood long ago and detached myself! Good artists are just languishing here! There is no money in the industry. Best for recording artists now is to put up a channel on YouTube of their own and showcase their talent. And you can survive on reality shows that's where the moolah is!!


Alisha laments the lack of real non-film music in India. "There are no credible composer producers for the pop dance genre either. They can only give us cheesy Bollywood sound nothing International so whom do I sing for?! My Made in India became a global hit because of my collaboration with Biddu! No one here understands the Pop genre anymore. Tinka Tinka is the best ballad Vishal-Shekhar have composed, nothing else of theirs even compares. And I had to sing it. Again ironic! Although, his song productions are really wicked. I have to admit to that! The enchanting songstress of many a chartbusters in the past is currently single. "I've been on my own for many years now, and I'd be pretending if I said I didn't miss that someone special in my life. It's been very tough on me to be companion-less. It's better to accept the karmic truth and be alone, than to keep searching for something that destiny has not willed for you and hurt yourself repeatedly by trying to get it. Alisha was married to Rajesh Jhaveri in the 1980s. They separated after her career took off. In 2003 she was in a serious relationship with a Canadian musician-entrepreneur Romel Kazzouah. The two of them almost made it to the altar before they unexpectedly broke up. Sighs Alisha, "I am a giver in any relationship. I gave everything I could to make my relationships work. But fate had other plans. I'd be lying if I said I don't miss love in my life. Of course I do. But after so many years love has become an fantasy in my head rather than a reality on my bed. Reality bites. And I've to admit I am better off alone. Love sounds better in a song. I am happy being the queen in my own castle.


Today with the slump in the music industry and the fight over royalty with a leading recording company Alisha is happy crooning a song once in a while. "The last time she sang for a film it was for composer Rajesh Roshan in Krissh 3, she said. Looking back the singer is grateful for all she has received. "Some people crib about the thorns in the roses. I am grateful there are some roses in a bouquet of thorns! My life has not been a bed of roses. My failures have inspired me more than my success.


Created

Last reply

Replies

7

Views

1.3k

Users

7

Likes

20

Frequent Posters

Maaya_Memsaab thumbnail
Anniversary 6 Thumbnail Group Promotion 3 Thumbnail Engager 1 Thumbnail
Posted: 6 years ago
#2
Aww.. Alisha spoke the truth! She's so articulate & everything she said is bang on accurate!

We need such amazingly talented singers like Alisha..
1011128 thumbnail
Posted: 6 years ago
#3
made in india
made in india
dil chahe bas
made in india



japan se le kay russia
amrika..autralia..mombasa


made in india

something like that...yes i remember that song

i dont think anything came after that. lol
Angel-likeDevil thumbnail
Anniversary 14 Thumbnail Group Promotion 7 Thumbnail + 3
Posted: 6 years ago
#4
SOOO underrated. It feels sad... is a rare singer with beautiful voice and one that enjoys her own singing.. happy birthday 🤗
Angel-likeDevil thumbnail
Anniversary 14 Thumbnail Group Promotion 7 Thumbnail + 3
Posted: 6 years ago
#5
Loved the article.. I want to meet her! :D

She has her own Youtube channel?
Hazardous thumbnail
Anniversary 18 Thumbnail Visit Streak 90 0 Thumbnail + 2
Posted: 6 years ago
#6
I love Alisha Chinai and respect her honesty about the current state of the Indian music industry. ❤️ Her voice is so freakin heavenly and she adds an extra pizazz to every single song she sings. I'm glad she knows her worth<3
pallavi25 thumbnail
Anniversary 17 Thumbnail Group Promotion 7 Thumbnail + 5
Posted: 6 years ago
#7
Totally agree with what she said abt current situation of Bollywood music industry. No wonder singers like Shaan, Alka go for judging reality shows. Since most of them are cheated of royalty for their old songs, it makes sense... its shocking to learn many new singers are not even paid. Thats why all these singers go for concerts abroad, they earn much more that way

Happy Birthday to Alisha!

Tinka Tinka is one of our all-time favorite songs...also Dil ko Hazaar baar roka roka from Murder was a lovely song by her.
Katey nahin kattey will always be an iconic song, both for Sridevi's sensual dance and Alisha's seductive voice.
Edited by pallavi25 - 6 years ago
Gul_bahar thumbnail
Anniversary 9 Thumbnail Visit Streak 90 0 Thumbnail + 3
Posted: 6 years ago
#8
"Some people crib about the thorns in the roses. I am grateful there are some roses in a bouquet of thorns!"
Lovely interview <3
Made in India is one of my favourite songs from the 90's indie pop songs.
...though the last part of the article kind of...made me sad...

Hope she's found love and happiness in her singledom.
Top