Sunidhi crosses the 2000 mark

In the two-thousand league: Sunidhi Chauhan

Sunidhi Chauhan performed in Lucknow at the Imperial Blue Superhit Concert on December 23. The singer said that she feels like a free bird while on stage and preferred it to singing in a studio.

Given an opportunity, Sunidhi would like to sing classical songs. But she is confident that she can sing English songs, too. hitList caught up with the popular songstress—

Why didn't you sing for the English version of Dhoom?
I am sad that I could not sing for the English version of Dhoom. Had I been given opportunity, I'd have excelled. I sing a lot of English songs during my concerts abroad and they are well received. I listen to a lot of western singers and even draw inspiration from them. In the near future, I am confident of touching new heights as a singer in English.

You're primarily known as an Indipop singer. Comment.
I am not merely an Indipop singer. My track record, I believe remains great with 2000 songs for mainstream films. I can be myself, singing old and new songs with ease and without feeling restricted. I have sung playback songs in more than 10 languages.

You carry a tag of a singer of item songs.
Eighty per cent of the songs that I sing are sentimental and soft numbers and yet I carry the tag of an item song singer? Item songs get prominence in the promotion of a film. When I sung a romantic song Meri Jindagi Mein for Ajnabee, I received accolades from people across the country. I have a fabulous range that fits for Kareena in Chameli, and for Rekha in Parineeta. I can sing for an 18-year-old sex kitten and for a fifty-year old actress, with ease.

How do you compare yourself with Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar?
I know my limits. The two are my role models. I can never be like them I consider them my teachers. I have learnt singing from the two-teacher school of Lataji and Ashaji.

Can you sing classical songs?
I have not sung classical songs much, but given an opportunity I can be a good classical singer also.

Little-known facts about Sunidhi 1. Sunidhi gave her first performance at the age of four at a local temple in Delhi. 2. Realising that their daughter had a gift in her voice and the place for her to be was Mumbai the family migrated to the city. 3. She got a break Kalyanji — Anandji. Kalyanji spotted the then eight-year-old and got her to join their shows. 4. Sunidhi first became a sensation on the nationally telecast music show on T. V. called Meri Awaz Suno. 5. Her first breakthrough, however, was in Ram Gopal Varma's Mast. She sang the hit Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi and also three other songs in the film. 6. Sunidhi has also cut a solo album, titled Aira Gaira Nathu Khaira.