“I was shocked when I got a call from Rahman sir!” – Jonita Gandhi
How often do we chance upon singers who can touch your heart and blow your mind at the same time? Not very often, right? NewsAurChai team got the opportunity to interview the absolutely gorgeous singing sensation, Jonita Gandhi.
Born in New Delhi, Jonita became an internet sensation after she started posting covers collaborating with her brother Akash Gandhi. And after that, there was no looking back, today Jonita is one of the topmost choices of the best music directors like Pritam, AR Rahman, Vishal-Shekhar and others.
Talking about her childhood and how she got into singing, Jonita says, “My dad was a big fan of India music and Bollywood songs played around the house. We were fans of music and I didn’t even realise when it started growing on me, initially I was shy to perform but then slowly my confidence started to grow.” Jonita’s first cover was ‘Mausam Ki’ was uploaded in 2010 and today 6 years down the line she is one of the top most singers in Bollywood. But before entering Bollywood she did a lot of shows and concerts with Sonu Nigam. She shares how she got that chance, “Actually it was a competition which was a tribute to Michael Jackson. I was one of the winners of the contest and then when he came to Toronto since I was already quite known in Toronto, somebody recommended my name and that is when I started touring with him. I was really shocked when I got the news since he has always been my idol.”
Jonita got her first dream Bollywood break with ‘Highway’ from none other than AR Rahman in which she has sung two powerful songs. Sharing the experience of getting the first break she says, “Well I was shocked, I couldn’t believe it when I got a call from him. I was really nervous but then I soon realised that this is my only shot and have to do it right and Rahman sir made me feel at home.”
Talking about her experience working with Pritam, Vishal-Shekhar Jonita says, “Pritam Da is actually responsible for all the hit songs that I have sung. In 2016, I have sung the three hit songs for him and it helped me in getting recognition from the masses. I have sung just one song with Vishal-Shekhar and sing more songs for them.”
Interestingly, Jonita’s favourite singer is Arijit Singh and she wishes to work with Ajay-Atul, Shankar Ehsaan Loy and Sachin Jigar.
