Ace playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan has recalled the pivotal role veteran actress Tabassum played in her early musical journey, revealing that she brought her to Mumbai and introduced her to legendary composer Kalyanji of the Kalyanji-Anandji duo.
Sunidhi opened up about her childhood and early days in the music industry during an upcoming special episode of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18’, where she appeared alongside acclaimed lyricist and poet Prasoon Joshi.
Host and megastar Amitabh Bachchan welcomed Sunidhi to the show by describing her as “Bhartiya film jagat aur sangeet ka maan” (the pride of Indian cinema and music).
The singer became emotional upon meeting Bachchan and bent down to touch his feet. The megastar warmly lifted her and embraced her.
Recalling her beginnings, Sunidhi said singing started as a passion when she was just four years old and gradually became her profession.
“Jab main char saal ki thi tabse sirf shauk tha, kab yeh profession mein badla iska pata hi nahi pada,” she said, recalling that she did not realise when her childhood passion became a career.
Sunidhi then spoke about the encounter that changed the course of her life. She recalled that Tabassum heard her perform at an event and encouraged her to move to Mumbai.
“Ek show mein Tabassum ji aayi thi, toh mujhe Tabassum ji ne suna. Unhone kaha tum Mumbai aajao,” she said.
She said Tabassum later invited her home, heard her sing and took her to Kalyanji-Anandji because of their close association.
“Bahut mushkil tha, woh thode kathin din the. Ghar pe unhone bulaya aur ek gana suna mera, phir Kalyanji-Anandji ke paas leke chali gayi kyunki woh bahut close thi unke,” Sunidhi recalled.
She further revealed that Kalyanji listened to several of her songs for nearly 45 minutes instead of hearing just one performance.
“Kalyanji uncle ne ek gana nahi, aadha-pona ghanta mere bahut sare gane sune,” she said.
Sunidhi recalled that Kalyanji then told her that she would not be returning to Delhi.
“Phir unhone kaha mujhse ab aap Delhi wapis nahi jayenge,” she said.
The episode also featured a special musical moment when Sunidhi requested Bachchan to sing a few lines from his iconic song ‘Rang Barse’. Bachchan obliged, performing the popular number as Sunidhi danced along.
Bachchan has lent his voice to several memorable songs over the years, including ‘Rang Barse’ from ‘Silsila’, ‘Mere Angne Mein’ and ‘Piddly Si Baatein’ from ‘Shamitabh’.