Jamshedpur girl 35- year old Shilpa Rao has recently bagged the Filmfare Award as the Best Playback singer for the foot tapping number ‘Ghungroo’ from the movie ‘War’ released in October 2019.
“To receive the prestigious Filmfare Award has been a dream come true. It is humbling and at the same time also very encouraging to be acknowledged for your hard work. It thrills me to know that people are fond of my voice, enjoy and love listening to my songs,” said the ecstatic singer.
Since starting her musical career in 2007, the singer has come a long way in a short span. In 2009, Rao received the Star Screen Award for ‘Khuda Jaane’ from ‘Bachna ae Haseeno' while in 2014 she got the Global Indian Musical Academy Award for ‘Dum Dum’ from Coke Studio season 2. Rao has also lent her voice to television serials and has got the Indian Television Academy Award for the show ‘Navya Naye Dhadkan Naye Sawaal’ in 2007.
“It’s been more than a decade since I have been a part of this industry and it’s a great learning curve. During this journey seeing the changes and advancement in the music industry has been very enriching. The song ‘Khuda Jaane’ is very close to my heart and so is the number ‘Javeda Zindagi’ from Anwar (2007) which was also my debut song,” added Rao.
Rao has also sung other popular songs like ‘Shabashiyaan’ from Mission Mangal (2019), ‘Kalank duet’ from Kalank (2019), ‘Aaj Jane ki Zidd na karo’ from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), ‘Malang’ from Dhoom 3 (2013) and ‘Gustakh Dil’ from English Vinglish (2012).
Recalling the days when she had started learning singing as a child, Rao said that she had never thought of making a career as a playback singer in the film industry.
“Even though my Dad is a singer, I never wanted to make a career in music. I got an inspiration to learn the art form after I met my mentor Guruji Hariharan and that’s when my journey as a singer began. I am glad that I started learning singing at the age of 10 and after being trained for many years I got an opportunity to be a part of the biggest film fraternity of the world,” she remarked.
Born and brought up in the Steel City, Rao has completed her schooling from Loyola School, Jamshedpur. She also has a post graduate degree in statistics from University of Mumbai.
“I have very fond memories of my days there. I am an absolute foodie and love the local food of the region like litti chokha, pittha and rugra. I also have very fond memories of Jamshedpur with friends and family,” recalled Rao.
The singer feels her parents R Shyamala and SV Rao who now live in Mumbai have been her strength and supporters. “My parents have always encouraged me to do whatever I want and today they are very proud of my achievements. They have always believed in me and somehow knew that I will choose the right path for myself,” said Rao who feels that her parents and Guruji Hariharan have been her biggest inspirations in life.
