Singers are actors behind microphone, says Pavni Pandey

Mumbai, March 13 (IANS) Pavni Pandey, who crooned the number "Laila main laila" for superstar Shah Rukh Khan's "Raees", says all singers are actors behind the microphone when they are performing and that one needs variety of songs to prove one's versatility.

"I think we (singers) are actors behind the microphone, it is as simple as that. Therefore, when we are singing a song in a film, we are lending the voice for a character, where we have to modulate our voice depending on the nature of the song, situation and the character," Pandey told IANS. 

The singer, who is receiving a lot of appreciation for the song "Sahiba" from the film "Phillauri", added that it is not wise to "judge or stereotype any artiste based on one song or one project".

According to Pandey, live gigs are a good opportunity to prove one's versatility. 

"You see, we cannot get every kind of songs at the beginning of our career but if you really love a song, you can sing it on stage performance, and people can hear it. Their appreciation leads you to a variety of songs," she added.

Starting her career in 2006 with a Punjabi film "Ek Jind Ek Jaan", she has crooned many numbers for films, including Madhuri Dixit-Nene's "Gulaab Gang" and Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer "Manjhi - The Mountain Man", among others.

Since "Laila main laila" is a recreated version of the song "Laila O laila" from the original film "Qurbani", will Pandey celebrate the idea if any of her original songs will be recreated in future?

"First of all, we only recreate an old song, if it is a cult one. Therefore, if someone will recreate any of my original songs in future, I will feel happy and honoured to know that people considered my song worth recreating," she said.

"Since every singer has her own signature, it would be nice to hear, what a new singer will add to my song. That is going to be something thrilling for me," added Pandey, who will be performing at the Bollywood Music Project powered by Hungama in Delhi on March 25 and 26.