In a candid revelation, acclaimed playback singer Shilpa Rao has shed light on the unpredictable and often challenging nature of a singer's career in the Indian music industry. The voice behind hits like 'Besharam Rang' shared that she faced a phase last year where eight of her recorded songs failed to gain any traction. However, she finds solace and inspiration in the enduring legacies of icons like Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, and Kishore Kumar, emphasizing that sustained success is built on hard work and resilience, not constant hits.
The Unpredictable Journey of a Playback Singer
Speaking to Mid-day, Shilpa Rao reflected on the formidable challenges newcomers face when trying to break into the music world. Her own journey began in 2007 when composer Mithoon offered her the song 'Tose Naina Lage' for the film 'Anwar'. Looking back, she recalled it was a highly unconventional track for a debut. Over the years, she has built an impressive portfolio with popular numbers such as 'Ghungroo', 'Malang', and 'Khuda Jaane', which brought her recognition and awards.
Despite these successes, Rao admitted that fame in playback singing is fleeting. She believes that persistence and consistency hold far greater value than momentary applause, a lesson she learned intimately during professional lows. Beyond the legends, she also credited contemporary collaborators like lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya and composer Pritam for fostering creative freedom. She noted that even maestro AR Rahman appreciates singers who push boundaries. Rao also expressed gratitude towards Shankar Mahadevan for guiding her into commercial music and providing early opportunities through advertising jingles.
Learning from Failures and Legendary Grit
Reflecting on an era before reality TV, Shilpa spoke with reverence about the decades-long dominance of legends like Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi, and Kishore Kumar. She stressed that their longevity wasn't merely a product of talent but of sheer endurance. "Lata is somebody, you have one person like that in a lifetime," she said, highlighting their unwavering persistence. "You have these names not just because they were talented or hardworking, but because they didn't give up. To be able to do this for 10-20 years, and you can’t fail even once. There are many failures between two recordings."
Rao openly admitted that her own career has witnessed more setbacks than triumphs. She shared an early disappointment: her first audition was for Shantanu Moitra's 'Kaisi Paheli Zindagani' from 'Parineeta'. "I was informed that Sunidhi (Chauhan) is singing... but give it a shot. I sang it and I was horrible," she confessed. This experience taught her that singing for a film requires a different skill set, and she realized she wasn't ready. She emphasized that such rejections can occur at any stage, even at one's peak, as evidenced by her eight unsuccessful songs last year.
Why Persistence Trumps Fleeting Motivation
Summing up her philosophy, Shilpa Rao advised fellow artists to stop relentlessly chasing motivation. "There are many life-altering moments. I think you should stop looking for motivation. It should become your second nature to go into the studio and try and work at it," she stated. This, according to her, is the core lesson from the greats. Talent alone cannot guarantee a long career. Drawing parallels with global icons like Michael Jackson, Sting, and Freddie Mercury, she described the level of dedication required as "scary."
On the work front, Shilpa Rao continues to be a prominent voice in Indian music. Her recent hits include 'Chaleya' from 'Jawan' (2023), 'Ishq Jaisa Kuch' from 'Fighter' (2023), and 'Mere Mehboob' from 'Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video' (2024). She has also released songs in 2025 like 'Dhurandhar', 'Banda Tere Liye', 'Sahana Sahana', and singles including 'Ro Lain De', showcasing her versatile and popular style across Bollywood and independent music.
