'I don't want to sing any item numbers'

It’s been a roller coaster of a journey for playback singer Yashita Sharma. She started her career from the reality show ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ and worked her way up in the Bollywood music industry.

She has lent her voice to some of the popular songs in films like ‘2 States’, ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’, ‘Players’, ‘All The Best’ and ‘Ghayal Once Again’.

Unlike an opportunity that many are denied, Yashita has been lucky enough to hit the jackpot with the music of ‘Qaidi Band’. She sung all the nine songs in the film along with Arijit Singh.

Yashita talks to Anila Kurian about her exciting work and how she is determined to achieve much more in the industry.

How busy is your schedule these days?
I’m working on a few collaborations, writing my own songs and going for rehearsals for my shows. Thankfully it’s not hectic because I do get time in between to relax and unwind.

What motivates your workflow?
I love my work and where it’s going right now. It could be faster but knowing that I will be working on some exciting things encourages me to work harder. My life is everything I wanted it to be right now.

What do you enjoy more — stage performances or studio recordings?
Both are interesting in their own way. In a studio, you have to pay more attention to everything around you. However, for a show, you know that there’s a set that you follow. Having said that, both are physically strenuous and will take a toll on you. It’s hard to choose.

Who is your competition in the industry?
Unlike many others, I don’t find anyone as my competitor. I only compete with myself as I know it helps me grow as a person and as a musician.

Is there a genre of music that you don’t want to experiment with?
Yes, I don’t want to sing any item numbers. It’s not because I find it offensive but because it requires a certain type of voice and I don’t think I can do justice to it. I have tried it and I wasn’t too happy about it.

So which genre do you like?
Any romantic or heartbreak type of song is my favourite. I find it easier to connect to the lyrics then. Having said that, I would like to experiment with genres that people wouldn’t expect me to do, like ghazals.

A song you are currently obsessed with...
‘Attention’ by Charlie Puth and ‘Despacito’. But when I am alone, I love jamming
to any of A R Rahman’s songs.

The best compliment that you’ve received so far...
That I sound better than Arijit Singh.

A change you’d like to see in the industry...
I hope that there are more opportunities for female singers. Yes, we do get work because of women-oriented films but it hasn’t become a revolution yet.

Some of the female musicians you want to collaborate with...
Jonita Gandhi, Neeti Mohan and Sunidhi Chauhan.