Mumbai, August 22 (IANS) Ace Bollywood singer Sunidhi Chauhan recalled how veteran actress Tabassum played a significant role in shaping her early musical journey.

She revealed how she brought her to Mumbai and introduced her to legendary composer Kalyanji, from the music duo Kalyanji-Anandji.

Sunidhi opened up about her childhood and initial days in the music industry during an upcoming special episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18, where she appeared alongside acclaimed lyricist Prasoon Joshi.

Host and megastar Amitabh Bachchan welcomed Sunidhi to the show by calling her “Bhartiya film jagat aur sangeet ka maan” (the pride of Indian cinema and music).

The singer became emotional on meeting the megastar and bent down to touch his feet. Bachchan then warmly lifted her up and embraced her.

Speaking about her journey, Sunidhi said that singing began as a passion when she was just four years old and gradually turned into her profession.

“Jab main char saal ki thi tabse sirf shauk tha, kab yeh profession mein badla iska pata hi nahi pada,” she said. (When I was four years old, singing was just a passion for me. I did not even realise when it turned into a profession.)

Sunidhi then recalled the meeting that changed the course of her life.

“Ek show mein Tabassum ji aayi thi, toh mujhe Tabassum ji ne suna. Unhone kaha tum Mumbai aajao,” she said. (Tabassum ji had come to a show, where she heard me sing. She told me, ‘You come to Mumbai.’)

Recalling those difficult early days, she said Tabassum invited her home, heard her sing and subsequently took her to Kalyanji-Anandji, with whom she shared a close relationship.

“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. (It was very difficult; those were challenging days. She invited me home and heard me sing a song, and then took me to Kalyanji-Anandji because she was very close to them.)

She further revealed that Kalyanji patiently listened to her sing for nearly 45 minutes instead of hearing just one song.

“Kalyanji uncle ne ek gana nahi, aadha-pona ghanta mere bahut sare gane sune,” she said. (Kalyanji uncle did not listen to just one song; he listened to many of my songs for nearly 45 minutes.)

Sunidhi added that after listening to her, Kalyanji told her that she would no longer be returning to Delhi.

“Phir unhone kaha mujhse ab aap Delhi wapis nahi jayenge,” she recalled. (Then he told me, ‘You will not be going back to Delhi now.’)

The episode also witnessed a special musical moment when Sunidhi requested Amitabh Bachchan to sing a few lines from the iconic ‘Rang Barse’.

Big B obliged and sang the popular number as Sunidhi harmonised with him, turning the studio into a festive musical celebration.

Amitabh Bachchan has himself sung several memorable songs during his career, including Rang Barse from Silsila, Mere Angne Mein, Piddly Si Baatein from Shamitabh and other songs that have become associated with his distinctive voice.

–IANS

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