Getting such a big song is like a dream come true: Rupali Jagga

Rupali Jagga has come a long way! From Saharanpur to various competitions, to independent music and Bollywood, it’s a journey worth noting. She was the MusiCulture Most Desirable (then called Sexiest Musician Alive) runner up in the 2020 edition, which was the inaugural edition as well for us. Recently, we had an interaction with her upon the release of her latest song ‘Chumma’ from the movie Vicky Vidya Ka Who Wala Video. Check out what she has to say:

‘Chumma’ from Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video has garnered a lot of attention. How did you approach blending your vocal style with the film’s light hearted and playful vibe?

Oh yes, getting such a big song is like a dream come true. It’s a very dance-peppy number, which has always been my forte. I have been singing dance songs during my stage performances and live shows. Receiving such a beautiful song from Sachin Jigar was truly a dream come true. The song is trending number 1 everywhere, and it has been 10 days since its release. It’s trending on YouTube, Instagram, and doing great on all streaming platforms. I’ve been really lucky, and God has been kind. I’m really looking forward to it continuing to do well.

Watch the song here:

You’ve had an impressive journey with independent tracks like ‘Sorry’ and ‘Superstar.’ What do you find most fulfilling about creating independent music compared to Bollywood projects?

I have done a lot of independent work. ‘Sorry’ and ‘Superstar’ are a couple of those tracks. Independent music gives you a lot of freedom. You can sing the songs you like and tweak the composition and lyrics to your liking. On the other hand, playback singing is also crucial because you need to understand the music composer’s vision and interpret the song the way they want it. It’s a challenge, but it helps a singer improve his or her grasping power, to truly understand what the composer wants. Both are very important in a singer’s journey.

You’ve collaborated with Himesh Reshammiya on some of your independent tracks. How has that experience shaped your growth as an artist?

Yes, I’ve done about four songs with Himesh sir. Honestly, I didn’t have many expectations from these songs because we shot them in a simple studio setting, with small videos. But out of love for him, I did them, and they turned out to be a great success. ‘Piya Rangeela’ has millions of views on YouTube, along with ‘Aajaa Bheeg Le Piyyaa’ and ‘Kanta Laga Re.’ Sometimes, when you least expect from a song, they do wonders and this shows that composers like Himesh sir have a vision and know what will resonate with the masses. These songs have done wonders for me, and I am truly grateful to him.

With live shows around the globe, how does performing for an audience influence your creative process when recording new music?

When we travel the world for our shows, we receive so much love from the fans, and it’s a different kind of hype. I absolutely love being on stage—it’s something I cannot live without; it’s my air, my food, my water, my everything. Performing live definitely energizes me. But when we are recording in the studio, it’s a completely different experience. The way we sing on stage is not the same as how we record in the studio. Over time, by working with different composers, I’ve learned the art of dubbing in a studio, which is a unique skill set. Both are very distinct, yet essential arts.

Reality shows like Indian Idol and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa gave you a platform early in your career. How have those experiences influenced your approach to the independent music scene today?

Yes, I participated in Indian Idol back in 2012, but I don’t consider that a significant part of my journey. However, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in 2016 was a game changer. I was a finalist on the show, and it brought me fame, fans, and recognition. Even today, people remember me from that show, even though it’s been eight years. It set a benchmark for me in my career. Later, I also participated in Indian Pro Music League on Zee TV, where I won in 2021. I’ve even been a jury member and mentor on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, which is an achievement in itself, going from being a contestant to mentoring. These experiences have significantly shaped my career.

What do you think sets your independent music apart, and what can your fans look forward to in your upcoming projects?

There’s a lot happening in the independent music scene with various labels and also on my own channel. I would just ask everyone to be patient. I’ve been traveling a lot for shows, but I promise that from next month onwards, we will be releasing a lot of new music, one by one. Independent music gives a lot of creative freedom—you can compose the way you want, write your own lyrics, and express yourself fully. I am excited to release more music for you all, and it’s coming very soon.

Well, so far, she has definitely set her benchmarks apart and continues to do so! We will surely keep a tab on her future works, till then enjoy her latest track, ‘Chumma’.