Abdul Shaikh has sung for the Hindi film ‘Tumko Meri Kasam’
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Not every winner of a music reality show secures a breakthrough in playback singing — and not every eliminated contestant fades into obscurity. Abdul Shaikh is an example of the latter. He captivated audiences with his soulful voice on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in 2023. An arduous journey has now led him to an exciting milestone — lending his voice to not one but two songs, ‘Berang’ and ‘Ishqaa Ishqaa’, for Vikram Bhatt’s forthcoming film Tumko Meri Kasam. In this telephone conversation, Abdul opens up about his musical roots, his transition from reality TV to playback singing, and the creative process behind his debut in Bollywood.
When asked if singing for films felt like a validation of his talent, Abdul reflects on the unexpected events that led him to Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. “It happened accidentally,” he recalls. “I didn’t want to audition, but my friends kept pushing me to try. Reality shows give exposure, but many finalists still struggle to make a mark in playback singing,” he says.
From the scratch
Abdul has consistently focused on playback singing — an art he has been refining for the past seven to eight years, lending his voice to scratch recordings for music directors. “Live singing and playback singing are completely different practices,” he explains. “I have spent countless hours in the studio, learning to deliver emotions through a mic.” He has an impressive track record of recording 350 to 400 scratch songs for various projects.
His break came unexpectedly in 2016 when he recorded a draft for producers Mukesh Bhatt and Mahesh Bhatt for the film Jalebi. “They liked my voice and asked me to record the full track,” he shares. However, despite his excitement, the song was eventually recorded in Sonu Nigam’s voice and later replaced with another version. “This happens,” Abdul says, acknowledging the unpredictability of the industry.
The turning point arrived with Tumko Meri Kasam. Abdul poured his heart and soul into two tracks for the film — ‘Berang’ and ‘Ishqaa Ishqaa’ — the latter a duet with Neeti Mohan, who was also a judge on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa during Abdul’s season. “Neeti ma’am recognised my voice instantly and was surprised,” he recalls with a smile.
Abdul Shaikh
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Recording Berang was an intense yet magical experience for Abdul. “Vikram Bhatt sir wanted a new voice — someone who didn’t sound like anyone else,” he says. “He narrated the story behind the song, guiding me to feel the character’s emotions. Usually, recording a song takes about two hours, but that day, I finished it in just 35-40 minutes.”
The highlight of the session came after the recording. “Vikram sir hugged me for three minutes straight,” Abdul remembers. “He said, ‘there’s heroism in your voice’. It was a moment I will never forget.”
Idols and inspirations
Abdul has been learning Indian classical music and trained for three years under Ustad Mohsin Khan Niazi, the founder of the Agra Gharana. After his passing, he continued his training with Ustad Liaqat Ali Khan, a renowned Bollywood sarangi player.
Abdul, who studied in Mumbai, hadn’t always planned on a career in music. It was an inter-college competition during his junior college days that changed everything. At the time, a self-proclaimed bathroom singer with no formal training, he almost backed out due to stage fear, but encouragement from friends and teachers pushed him to perform — and he unexpectedly won a medal. Asked to pick either music or studies by his father, Abdul took a year off to focus on singing. “The first six months were tough, the second half drew me in as I noticed my voice evolving. Eventually, I chose music.”
Speaking about his idols Abdul’s answer comes without hesitation. “KK sir has always been my inspiration. His feel, his singing — it is something I aspire to do,” he says. “I want to make a mark, maybe not as big as his, but somewhere close.”
Now that he has entered Bollywood playback, Abdul’s dream is to work with music director Pritam. With nearly 70% of his performances featuring Pritam’s songs, he says, “The vibe he creates is incredible — that’s the dream I’m chasing.”
Published – March 06, 2025 02:13 pm IST
