Palak Muchhal reveals that the superstar often gives her advice on her musical career
When you step into Palak Muchhal’s workspace in Andheri, it’s impossible to ignore the awards that adorn all four walls of the room. There are trophies of all shapes and sizes, stacked one behind the other, but the singer has no clue how many of them are there. “But I do know that I have 914 dolls in my room, one for each surgery that I have raised funds for,” she smiles. And with that single statement, you know where her priorities lie.
The 24-year-old singer from Indore couldn’t be happier these days, as her song Kaun Tujhe from MS Dhoni: The Untold Story is getting her appreciation from all quarters. “People are calling it my best work so far and it is one of my personal favourites too. I also feel that this is composer Amaal Malik’s best work,” she says.
Romance unlimited
With a number of romantic songs in her kitty, we can’t help but ask her if she has a special someone in her life who she would love to sing romantic songs for. “Nobody so far, but I would love to do that!” she laughs. The singer admits that although she loves singing romantic numbers and is recognised for them, she has lent her voice to songs in other genres too. “After Aashiqui 2, I started getting a lot of calls for similar songs, but Himesh Reshammiya saved me. He made me sing Jumme Ki Raat Hai and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, which is not a typical romantic song. When he made me hear Ice Cream Khaaongi, I said this is fine, but what song do you want me to sing? I couldn’t believe it when he said ‘This one!’” she recalls with a laugh.
Out of the approximately 200 yet-to-release songs, at least 50 of them belong to other genres. “I have sung a peppy and fun club number for Himeshji as well,” she informs. The one thing the young singer is clear about is not singing any item numbers. “I admire singers who can sing item songs because they require attitude, spunk and style, but they are not my cup of tea,” she states firmly.
With Bhai’s blessings
Palak has always acknowledged Salman Khan’s contribution to her musical career, ever since she met him as a shy teenager at the age of 14. He was the first Bollywood star she met in person when she arrived from Indore to Mumbai. “Each time I get an award or something good happens in my life, I call him. After congratulating me, he wants to know what is next. He wants me to focus on my career and often advises me on which composer to work with, and more often than that, who not to work with!” she candidly admits.
Trying out new things
Himesh is another person she credits for charting her musical journey. “Like Salman Sir, Himeshji keeps guiding me. He challenges me and encourages me to do something different. After I sang Prem Ratan... for him, he was restless. He wanted me to try out something different and that’s when he made me sing the club number,” she reveals.
On her wishlist of composers are AR Rahman, Amit Trivedi and Vishal-Shekhar and among singers, she considers Shreya Ghoshal her favourite. Remind her that people often compare her to the talented singer and she smiles, “I take that as a compliment but I’m nowhere close to her.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Palak is doing her Masters in International Business from Mumbai University and will also be giving her PhD exams next year. You could probably call her Dr Palak Muchhal by next year-end!
Salman Khan steered her into fitness. She does a lot of cardio.
She is a fan of the Harry Potter book series.
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