Her peppy voice and infectious energy are hard to miss. Little wonder then, whenever singer Kanika Kapoor croons a number, it becomes an instant hit with the audience. Having sung chartbusters like Baby Doll, Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan and more, Kanika is back with Gori Hai Kalaiyan, an effervescent number from the film Mere Husband Ki Biwi.
The film, starring Bhumi Pednekar, Rakul Preet Singh and Arjun Kapoor, will be releasing on February 21, and the song, featuring Badshah, Sharvi Yadav and IP Singh, has been creating a buzz for its vibrant reinterpretation of a beloved classic. Kanika believes Gori Hai Kalaiyan is special because it blends nostalgia with the modern times. “The original track was sung by the legendary Lata ji and it’s an absolute honour to have my voice featured in the same song. The excitement of bringing a fresh touch to such an iconic melody is truly overwhelming and I feel privileged to be part of this musical journey,” she beams.
The track has the charm of classic melodies, but with an energetic vibe. “The moment I heard the composition, I knew it had that uplifting, playful, feel, and bringing it to life was an exciting process for me. Seeing the love it’s getting is truly amazing.” The film too has an entertaining plot and Kanika was instantly drawn to the project. “I felt it did justice to my voice. The song was a perfect fit for my style—playful, catchy and full of energy. Everything about it just clicked in the very first go. The shooting process was fantastic too and I enjoyed it to the hilt.”
Sometimes, it’s just the beat that draws a singer to a particular song, as happened with Kanika. “As soon as I heard the beat, I knew it was going to be a hit. We experimented with different vocal styles to capture the perfect tone and energy. The rhythm was so infectious that I was literally dancing in the studio while recording.” So, what sets this number aside from the others she has sung so far? “Gori Hai Kalaiyan brings the best of both worlds. It has an old-school Bollywood essence with a fresh, high-energy twist. The combination of both is reflected in the final product and how!”
Traditional, yet contemporary
Balancing traditional and contemporary styles is not easy, but Kanika has done that with aplomb and she loves experimenting with different genres too. “Growing up with classical Indian music, while being influenced by global pop and electronic sounds has shaped my style. I always try to maintain my roots while bringing in fresh, modern elements. Moving forward, I want to explore more genres—Afro, R&B, and even collaborations with other talented artistes.”
With every song’s success, the pressure to keep raising the bar follows and Kanika agrees to the same. “Of course, every hit raises expectations, but I see it as a motivation rather than pressure. I focus on enjoying the creative process and giving my best to every song. Some tracks become instant hits, while others take time to grow on people. The key is to stay true to my music and let everything else fall into place.”
As for the coming times, Kanika has some amazing projects lined up, both in India and internationally. “There are collaborations across different genres. There’s a lot of exciting music on the way—can’t wait to share it with everyone.” Sounds good!
