Alisha Chinai, the voice behind some of Bollywood’s most iconic hits, celebrates another year around the sun. Best known for her unforgettable number Kate Nahin Kat-te from Mr. India and the peppy Kajra Re from Bunty Aur Babli, Alisha’s voice once ruled the airwaves. But her music career goes far beyond just these two hits.
Alisha Chinai: A Voice That Defined an Era
Back in the 1980s and 90s, Alisha Chinai delivered a string of chartbusters that made her a household name. Tracks like Zooby Zooby (Dance Dance), Raat Bhar Jaam Se Jaam (Tridev), Sexy Sexy Mujhe Log Bole (Khuddar), Ruk Ruk Ruk (Vijaypath), Tinka Tinka (Karam), Aaj Ki Raat (Don), Bebo (Kambakht Ishq), and Ticket to Hollywood (Jhoom Barabar Jhoom) all showcased her unique style and energy.
However, even at the peak of her popularity, Alisha decided to step away from the playback singing scene. Her reason? She didn’t enjoy being a “ghost voice” for other actors on screen. “My voice on someone else’s face—it just didn’t feel right,” she once said.
Living Life on Her Own Terms
Now, Alisha calls herself semi-retired and says she’s truly happy doing her own thing. These days, she mostly records in English and uploads her songs to YouTube. “I’ve been there, done that,” she says. “Now, I prefer to work on my own terms, without any interference.”
To new and upcoming singers, Alisha has a clear message: you no longer need big record labels to make it. “Start your own YouTube channel. Put your music out there. Build your own audience and book your own shows.” She believes singers should be independent and use platforms like YouTube to reach the world.
The Changing Music Industry
Alisha is critical of the current state of the Indian music scene. She feels the industry doesn’t value real artists anymore. According to her, playback singing has lost its charm, and many singers today are working for free just to get noticed.
“There’s no proper royalty system here. There’s too much corruption. It’s almost like a music mafia,” she says. For artists who still want to make a living through music, she recommends building a personal brand online and exploring reality shows, which she believes offer better opportunities today.
No Room for Real Pop Music?
Alisha also misses the golden days of Indian pop music. “There’s no real non-film music scene anymore,” she laments. She says today’s composers mostly create music that sounds like Bollywood remixes and lack the global appeal real pop music needs.
Her own song Made in India became a massive international hit, and she credits that success to her collaboration with music producer Biddu. “No one here really understands pop music like he did,” she adds.
From a pop icon to an independent artist, Alisha Chinai’s journey is a powerful reminder that real talent always finds its way—no matter how the industry changes.
