Versatile, with a voice

A Bengali, who has stolen the hearts of millions with her melodious voice, Monali Thakur left no stone unturned to impress her fans with her songs.

An extraordinary woman with amazing energy never fails to amuse the audience during her performances. Known for her several hit songs in Hindi films, she strives to come up with her singles soon and also wishes to act in movies.

Where do you get your energy from during your performances?

In a way, my father is a big inspiration. He is a Bengali singer and he is the head of the department of Chemistry and a brilliant comedy actor. And, he is one of the main reasons that I am giving live performances.

My sister is the most talented person in our family. She and mother are also a part of it, but baba has always been my support. We are a family of lilliputs, and my dad had the incredible energy and power while he used to perform, and I always wanted to be like him.

We heard you have a connection with Hyderabad?

I have shot a film in Hyderabad and now I will be going to have Hyderabadi Briyani. I love many things about the place, here people are nice and since I did my first film here the place is very close to my heart.

I have shot the film 'Lakshmi' a film by Nagesh Kukunoor here and there were most raw locations, but yes, I will never forget the food and I am a Bengali and a foodie too, so once the taste sets in my mind it would stay forever.

Otherwise I also like the zari work and the chikan work on the cloths here, last time I took a suitcase full of borders.

You sing all kinds of genres. Ss that the childhood training that makes you more versatile?

Actually, I received classical training for few years and my grandfather was a classical singer. My mother and father are musicians; so, I am very fortunate to have that genes already.

I like different kinds of music and forms of art; what I see and listen I try to do that. Because my base is in classical I try to do diverse genres.

Are there any more acting plans in future?

Acting gives a different feel all together, but time is such a thing that I cannot force on anything. I hope something good comes up. Until then I can do my job; it is great. Handling music is extreme, and I never struggled to be an actor.

So, I think I need to put that kind of struggle into acting, and maybe, I'll get enough time to do that.

What kind of songs do you like?

Any song in any language that is good; even if you give a song in Hebrew, I will like it.

How do you manage singing different genres?

It is possible when you have 24 hours in a day and if you have so much energy, I have a dog called Begal, it never goes out of energy no matter what he does. I am actually like that.

I got the chance to pursue and learn and I am addicted to learning, so I think that is the reason.

Do you think the Indian society is curbing sexual harassment?

We have a long way to go in that department, we are at least trying to start it, but yeah, we are quite behind the rest of the world. People say slow and steady, but I think we need to be very aggressive for it.

Do you think the credibility of #MeToo movement is getting lost?

It is a combination of a lot of things; girls have been harassed with money or whatever reasons. It is everywhere, and the survival is so difficult that people do not get the courage to fight.

You have won lot of awards. Is there anything you aspire to reach or acquire?

I had really gained my audience; I have done film songs that's how they know me. But, I want to win them over with my own independent songs and I am talking about the proper long-term memorable ones, which I would want to work on commercially.

I hope the change comes soon as independent music is the mainstream music. That is the thing that I am struggling for now.