Move on Sunny Leone, here comes the real Baby Doll!

By Neeru Saluja

Kanika Kapoor has become a singing sensation overnight. Within a week, the song ‘Baby Doll’ from Ragini MMS 2 became a hit across the country. While actress Sunny Leone sizzled on screen with her oomph, singer Kanika was flooded with offers from Bollywood.

But the singer who was raised in Lucknow and resides in London did not get swayed. She has been smart with her choice of songs and she bagged another massive hit in ‘Lovely’ from the multi starrer ‘Happy New Year’.

Freshly arrived in Sydney for a concert, the singer happily agreed to meet us for an exclusive interview. Soft spoken and charming, Kanika talked to us with no starry tantrums and told us about her journey to stardom and her interests besides music.

You became an instant hit with Baby Doll. How do you feel about your riding success?

Actually it hasn’t hit me that I’m doing so well, it’s like a dream. I started with Jugni in London and then Baby Doll came. I’m thankful to Meet Brothers to give me this opportunity. After that Lovely came. Lovely is a song that I had created in London with Dr Zeuss. We gave the song to Shahrukh and then he collaborated with Vishal and Shekhar. I have been very lucky but I’m very careful with the choice of songs. You will like my next song which is a peppy dance number.

Talking about peppy dance numbers, you have been trained in classical music but all your songs are the disco types.

Honestly speaking (it’s not good for me to say this) but the truth is a trained singer like me who has trained for 12 years is in a fix. In today’s day and age it’s difficult for a classical singer to breakthrough so what I chose was commercial which has worked. But in 2015 you will see a lot of Sufi. I’m going to integrate a lot of classical, gayaki, Tarana and fusion in my music because now I have my step in. When you are new it’s very difficult for people to understand you. My focus will be on Sufi and some family music for everyone.

When it comes to family, we have heard you have three young kids. How do you manage it – kids, music and travelling between London and India?

I use my time constructively. A free mind is a devil’s workshop. My children are now in school and I have a lot of family support. It’s hard as suddenly everything has come into my plate. We are still lucky we have Facetime to keep in touch. I miss them a lot but I spend quality time with them.

How has the transition from London to Mumbai been for you?

Though I grew up in Lucknow, it took me a few years to settle in Mumbai. It’s chaotic, overwhelming and everyone is on the go. I’m very fortunate that fate has taught me a lot. I still live in London but travel back to India.

We have heard that you are also into modelling and fashion?

I’ve been a muse of mainstream fashion designers like Louis Vutton, Gucci, Alberta Ferretti, Emilio Pucci and Moschino. I’ve also walked the ramp. While music is my passion, fashion is always for fun. For me, music and fashion come together as both are forms of art. Very few people know but I’m also into designing and I closely work with my mum for a charity called Kalakriti, which gives jobs to Muslim women to do chikankari work. My dream is to revive chikankari and give it a different twist.

What else can we expect from the multi talented Kanika?

You will see a different me in 2015 in terms of music! I’m singing for the Ranbir Kapoor starrer ‘Roy’ which I’m quite excited about. I really want to work with lots of mainstream artists especially Egyptian and American musicians. 2015 is going to be a big year for me with lots of Sufi music so watch out.