The interview which appears below, was originally published on Sify.com in August 2000. ©The rights to this material are reserved to the owner. If you have any concerns or comments, please send an email to info@rahmaniac.com.
Vasundhara Dass’ first brush with the Indian film industry — and stardom — was when she met composer A.R. Rahman in Bangalore. This was 1997. All she ever wanted to do was sing in films. Little did Vasundhra realize that she will be acting, instead of just singing. Rahman was so impressed by her looks that he convinced Kamal Hassan to do her screen test. Kamal offered Vasundhara ‘Hey Ram’, where she plays an educated, almost unorthodox Brahmin wife to Kamal.
But Vasundhara was adamant that she is not here to act, but to sing, because music is a passion. On her insistence, Rahman gave her ‘Shakalaka Baby’, a song that hit big time down South and established her credentials as a singer.
Vasundhara has just released an album, ‘Meri Jaan’, and is waiting for people’s verdict. She talks to Radhika Singh about her album, and her hopes, which are tied to it.
You have got several offers to act in films. Yet, you are insistent on a music career?
Music is what I live for. My interest in music started at an early age. My grandmother was a singer who could not achieve much in terms of a musical career due to her family commitments. She wanted to see her dream being realised by her children. None of her children had an inclination for music. So she tried her luck with her grandchildren. I was the last of her grandchildren and it fell on me.
Are you a trained musician?
Yes, I began learning Hindustani classical music at the age of six. My grandmother was my first teacher. After that, I went through three teachers and finally settled down with my present teacher, Parameshwar Hegde, who was a disciple of Basavaraj Rajguru. When I was a college student, studies took priority. I also began singing in my college choir — which helped me broaden my music horizon vastly. But I must concede that it’s my dream to move up in the music industry.
How did ‘Hey Ram’ happen?
Kamal asked me to do a screen test because Rahman had told him about me. My mother told Kamal that I was not interested in acting. He asked me to take the test anyway. So I went and faced the camera. But he saw my reluctance and didn’t pursue the matter further.
By the time he offered me ‘Hey! Ram’, my perception of the whole thing had changed, even though the basic interest remained the same. I accepted the offer with an ulterior motive. I thought acting would help my singing career.
Were you surprised to see yourself in the film? You almost seem like a pro?
Yes, I was surprised that I could act so well in certain scenes. But I also feel that I could have done a lot better in some scenes. Kamal was giving me constant feedback so my confidence was always high.
Who are your favourite singers, the people who have inspired you?
Classical music has always been there around me, and I love listening to Pundit Jasraj and Bhimsen Joshi. Whitney Houston’s soul music and alternative music artists like Alanis Morissette interest me a lot. I have developed a special liking for Spanish music, which I find enthralling.
You also sang the famous Tamil song, ‘Shak-a-laka Baby’. How did that happen?
I desperately wanted A.R. Rahman to call me to do a song, but I knew that I had to be patient and wait for things to happen. He called me for a trial, and said that if it didn’t work out the way he wanted, I would just have to turn back and go home. I was a little scared myself, because I did not know whether I would be able to handle Tamil lyrics, since I am a Telugu. There were so many people to help me out with all that. It turned out to be a great beginning in playback singing.
So the next step was ‘Meri Jaan’?
This album was always on the cards, since it was what I really wanted to do. Magnasound approached me and signed me for the album. Thank God it’s out and I am looking forward to my musical journey. There is a mix of musical influences in ‘Meri Jaan’. Like ‘Bheegi Dastaan’ is almost a rockish number, ‘Ghar Mera’ is influenced by Whitney Houston’s soul music, ‘Mera Nishaan’ has Arabic influences, ‘Aao Yaar’ is almost like ‘Shakalaka’.
What is that one thing which you dream of doing musically?
I would like to travel the entire world and collect whatever folk and indigenous music forms exist in various parts of the world and record it for posterity.
Will you ever act in films again?
Hey, this is just the beginning. I’ve treated it as a learning experience. Let me see how things shape up. Maybe, I can pursue a good career both in singing and acting.
