Madhubanti Bagchi on fear of being typecast to singing dance numbers

When Tamannaah Bhatia dazzled in Aaj Ki Raat from Stree 2 2024 it promised a resurgence of special dance numbers The popular song also guaranteed something else mdash the breakthrough of a unique voice Madhubanti Bagchi Even though she had been singing Hindi film songs since 2019 it took SachinJigarrsquos composition to mark her arrival Now that she has reunited with the composers for Tum Mere Na Huye a dance song in Thamma midday speaks to her about new fame fear of typecasting and the challenge of having an unusual voiceExcerpts from the interviewTum Mere Na Huye marks another collaboration with composers SachinJigar What was their brief for the songThey wanted the song to be intimate yet cinematic something that would not just complement the narrative of Thamma but also stand strong as an individual piece of music SachinJigar added their signature depth to the composition ensuring that every note had its own space to breathe For me the challenge and joy were to bring that vision alive vocallyYour collaboration with them is turning out to be solid mdash first Aaj Ki Raat now the Thamma songWorking with SachinJigar has always been a creatively fulfilling experience Aaj Ki Raat gave us a chance to explore a highenergy dynamic sound With the Thamma track we ventured into a space that is far more emotional That contrast speaks volumes about their versatility What I admire most is how they bring out the best in every singer They know exactly how to guide you yet give you the freedom to interpret and make the song your own With them it never feels transactional it feels like a true collaborationTamannaah Bhatia in lsquoAaj Ki Raatrsquo right A still from lsquo ThammarsquoYoursquove emerged as one of the most soughtafter voices in Hindi cinema How validating has it been to experience this riseIt feels gratifying and quite humbling Every singer dreams of their voice reaching millions but when filmmakers and composers of such calibre trust you repeatedly it becomes the highest form of validation What excites me most is the diversity Irsquove lent my voice to some of the most popular leading ladies of today To adapt my singing to bring alive their emotions on screen has been a challenge as well as a joyYour rise is also special because your voice is unconventional for Hindi playback Was it difficult to get the big breakItrsquos true that my voice is different from the usual palette in Hindi playback Breaking in wasnrsquot instant there were moments of doubt But I always focused on staying true to my sound rather than fitting into a mould What helped was finding the right collaborators mdash composers like SachinJigar Pritam da and Amit Trivedi and filmmakers like Sanjay Leela Bhansali who were willing to experiment and give my voice space to tell the story authentically Once that alignment happened things started clicking In the end I feel fortunate that what initially seemed unconventional became my biggest strengthHaving voiced dance numbers one after another do you fear getting typecastIrsquove had several dance numbers but each one has its own personality At the same time I actively seek out projects that challenge me vocally I have sung in Heeramandi 2024 and Coke Studio Rather than fearing typecasting I focus on growth and experimentationYour singing influences in Hindi cinemaArijit Singh and Lata Mangeshkar Begum Akhtar for her depth and mastery in ghazals Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle for their range and timeless appeal Arijit Singh for redefining contemporary playback with his emotive singing