Parineeti hits the high note

Parineeti turns singer like didi PeeCee, will give playback in her next.

After surprising everyone with her sexy, svelte makeover, Parineeti Chopra is now all set to tune into success. The actress will give her own playback in her next film. "I play a singer so I will be doing a lot of crooning. But we've yet to figure how many songs I will lend my voice to. We recorded a bit of the first one and I wrapped it up in a couple of hours without auto tune which I think is theek-thaak for a new singer," she beams.

Parineeti incidentally is a trained Hindustani classical singer with a BA Honours in music. She's been singing since she was knee-high, recalling those good old days when Priyanka (Chopra) didi and she would join their papas on stage and all four would sing together.

"Everyone in my family sings, music has been a part of my upbringing. This is the first time people outside the family and friends circle will hear me sing, but those who know me have been waiting for this day. I was the first one to say that I was dying to sing, when other actresses went behind the mic, they wondered when I'd follow," she says.

Point out that she could always have cut a private album and she reasons that this calls for a lot of investment in terms of time and money. "This is only my fourth year in the industry, it was important to establish myself as an actress before getting into playback. But now that I have taken the baby step, I'd like to sing in all my films," she admits.

What about a single since that's the latest trend now? "Sure, a single with a good music label would be great," she nods. Any classic chartbuster she would like to recreate? "Sadhana's "Lag jaa gale" from Woh Kaun Thi? I keep humming it, it's ethereal!" she rhapsodises. Priyanka has already cut three international singles""In My City", "Exotic: and "I Can't Make You Love Me", any plans of a Westside story? "I'd love to get such a big platform and reach a bigger audience, but right now I need to make it big here. Maybe later," she shrugs.

She is however quick to add that she's proud of all that Priyanka has achieved, and not just as an actress and a singer. "She is such a star, on second thoughts that's too small a word for her. I remember what a big deal it was for the family when she won her first National Award for Fashion. And now she's been honoured with the Padma Shri. Woah!" Parineeti exclaims. Has didi reacted to her musical debut yet? "It's still night in Canada and she must be sleeping," she reasons. "But once she wakes up I know she'll call."