Shreya Ghoshal, one of India’s most celebrated playback singers, has occasionally expressed embarrassment about certain songs she has sung in her career. While she is known for her versatility and vocal excellence, there have been instances where she has felt that some songs did not align with her usual style or artistic sensibilities.
One such instance she has mentioned in interviews is about singing overly peppy or flirtatious songs with lyrics that she found a bit awkward. She has also noted that early in her career, she sometimes did not have full control over song selections and had to sing tracks that she might not have chosen otherwise.
However, she has always maintained a professional attitude and delivered every song with dedication, regardless of her personal feelings.
“I have a handful of songs that could be borderline raunchy, like Chikni Chameli. There exists a delicate distinction between expressing sexuality and sexiness, and merely objectifying oneself. The reason I have become more aware of this issue over time is because I have observed young girls singing this song,” she said.
She further added, “They don’t know what it means; it’s a fun song, and they are dancing to it. They come and say, ‘I love your music; can I sing the chorus in front of you?’ I often feel awkward in these situations. A young girl, barely 5 or 6 years old, is singing a song that doesn’t suit or sound good. I don’t want that, so I have been conscious about that.” Over the years, Shreya Ghoshal has developed the confidence to be selective about her projects, ensuring that she is comfortable with the style and content of the music she performs.