PremiumExclusive! Sireesha Bhagavatula: My mind went blank after recording Qala’s Ghodey Pe Sawaar
The former Indian Idol contestant got candid after receiving the Breakthrough Playback Singer of the Year award at the OTTplay Changemakers Awards 2023
Last Updated: 02.13 PM, Apr 04, 2023
Indian Idol Season 12’s Sireesha Bhagavatula made her presence felt through the melodious songs of the Netflix movie Qala, especially Ghodey Pe Sawaar. Her beautiful rendition of the song with her trademark voice and style has won several hearts, making her more than deserving of the Breakthrough Playback Singer of the Year award at the OTTplay Changemakers Awards 2023.
The singer, who has also lent her voice to Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan Part-2 (PS-2), got emotional during a candid conversation with us after winning the award. She spoke about the song, how Qala has changed her life, and the people in her life who she calls her changemakers.
Excerpts from the conversation:
Congratulations on the award. What are you feeling as you hold this trophy?
It feels surreal. I never expected that people would like my song (Ghodey Pe Sawaar from Qala) so much. Seeing people dance to it on Reels and watching kids and older couples dance to it has been very overwhelming. I’m very grateful for the love that I have received.
After you recorded Ghodey Pe Sawaar, did you feel like you had done a good job and that this song would do well?
While or soon after recording a song, if a singer thinks that it will be a hit or flop, then they have not given their 100% to the song. I didn’t think of anything after recording this song; I was blank. I was happy that I got to sing a beautiful composition and didn’t think anything about the output. I had no idea that the song would become this famous, because to me, I just did my job. I am grateful to Amit Trivedi sir, for believing in me, and to Amitabh Bhattacharya sir. I'm also thankful to OTTplay Awards for this honour.
Who are the changemakers in your life?
The many people who have supported me throughout my life. First is my family — my parents and my gurus. There are a lot of changemakers in my life. But when it comes to my career in Hindi films, it is definitely the makers of Qala.
I’m sure you’ve received many compliments for your singing, but which one touched your heart?
After finishing the recording of the Phero Na Najariya song from Qala, the entire crew stood up and clapped for me in the studio. It was a live recording. I will never forget that moment. Seeing everyone clap and give me a standing ovation felt surreal.
Translated and edited by Dhwani Desai