Singer Anusha Mani on acting debut: 'Being forced to audition really paid off'

Anusha Mani

Behind the mic is where Anusha Mani built her identity over the past 18 years, lending her voice to hits like Lehrein (Aisha), Gulaabo (Shaandaar) and Tera rasta chhodoon na (Chennai Express). But now, she has stepped out of the recording studio and into the spotlight. The singer has made her acting debut with Hai Junoon, the musical series led by Neil Nitin Mukesh and Jacqueline Fernandez.

"As a singer, I never thought I would or could act. What drew me to this show primarily was that it was a musical. I auditioned during the lockdown when the makers were looking for singers who can act. Turns out, being forced to audition by my management and family really paid off," Mani laughs.

A still from Hai Junoon

For the singer-turned-actor, the JioHotstar series that is centred on a talent show felt like stepping into both, the familiar and unknown. While her background in music made her understand her role of Charu, a vocal coach, being on set was a different ball game. "What was most jarring to me was the sensory overload of having so many people around - art department, sound, lights, director's team, DoP [director of photography], writers, spot dadas, make-up and costume team. A studio environment is so contained with five to six people at best. To keep my calm and focus on my lines with so many people around was the biggest challenge," she says, before adding that her role resonated with her. "Charu's fight to find her voice is something people will relate to."

Switching from music to acting is a big leap, but she feels now is the right time to try new avenues. "The industry is more diverse now - musicians have avenues today to share their music without necessarily going the Bollywood route. There are shows written for actors who don't necessarily fit into the hero-heroine template. This is the best time for artistes to break out of the norm."

Anusha Mani's playlist

. Lazy lamhe (Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic)
. Lehrein (Aisha)
. Tera rasta chhodoon na (Chennai Express)
. Gulaabo (Shaandaar)
. Thumkeshwari -
Telugu version (Bhediya)