Sunidhi Chauhan

Sunidhi Chauhan walked into the world of music as a little girl in a talent search TV music show. She showed no nervousness. Rather, only a confidence that took audience by surprise. Here, a profile on Sunidhi Chauhan. Sunidhi has loved music ever since she was a toddler. Her parents soon realized they had a prodigy on their hands after seeing the exceptional musical talent of their young child. So, it seemed logical that the family shift from to Mumbai. What better city than Bollywood to showcase the talent of their little one? Sunidhi performed on stage several times and got many awards. Kalyanji, the renowned composer, had formed the Little Wonders troupe for child prodigies and Sunidhi was very much a part of it too.

Fame really came to her, though, only through the TV show Meri Aawaz Suno. The prize for the winner was to cut an album with HMV. Sunidhi won and recorded Aira Gaira Nathu Khaira with HMV. However, this was promoted as a kids album and did not do justice to Sunidhi’s immense talents. Kalyanji – Anandji were planning a show on child prodigies called Little Wonders. Kalyanji spotted the then eight-year-old child and she joined them for a number of stage shows where she sang, in spite of her tender age, songs of Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Ila Arun.

Sunidhi Chauhan's first break in a Hindi film was in the film Shastra followed by Gang, Veergati, Dahek, Bade Dilwala, Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, Shyam Benegal’s Samar. Her first breakthrough however Ram GopalVerma’s Mast. She sang the hit ‘Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi’ and also three other songs in the film. Sandeep Chowtha’s first film as a composer got an ideal virgin voice in Sunidhi and her song became the most memorable number in the film.After recording for SandeepChowta for the film Jungle, she went on to sing in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Mission Kashmir. She added yet another feather to her cap by bagging the R D Burman award for the most promising newcomer at the Filmfare Awards 2001.Sunidhi had also cut her solo album called Aira Gaira Nathu Khaira.

Sunidhi Chauhan is religious and believes in God,"God is my inner conscience; my intuition, my inner self, my guiding force and my angel who protects me. I have always had deep faith in the supreme power and it has never wavered at all. Once I had to sing a hi-pitch song for the movie Mast and my throat was really bad. It was my faith in divine power and my ability that helped to record successfully. Faith makes a lot of difference in life." Not one to rest on her laurels, she is now training in Indian classical music so she can improve her skills. She also loves Western music and Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson top her list of favorites. Her ambition is to achieve global fame. Sunidhi created ripples by tying the knot with music video director/producer Bobby Khan. It seems like Sunidhi is completely happy and fulfilled – both, in her career as well as her personal life.

• Ehsaas: The Feeling Friday, November 30, 2001