As she returns to judge Rising Star, Monali Thakur on the show and gender pay gap in the industry
Monali Thakur
You know the younger crop of singers is in able hands when you have Monali Thakur mentoring them. The National Award winner is all set to return to her role as a co-judge on the second season of Rising Star, along with Shankar Mahadevan and Diljit Dosanjh. Ahead of the stint, Thakur talks about the perils of being part of a live reality show, and how gender pay divide among singers doesn't affect her.
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The second season of Rising Star is back. Does judging such reality shows help you creatively?
The fact that the show is live is what appeals to me. If we go wrong, we don't get a second chance. So, [as judges], we have to be alert and particular about what we say. It has a certain level of thrill to it. I also get to learn a lot from the great panel of musicians associated with the show.
You recently performed on MTV Unplugged. How was it?
It was special because I got a chance to reimagine the songs that I have previously recorded for others. The audience's reaction doubled my excitement.
Talking about reimagining songs, you've often raised concerns about the detrimental effect remixes have on the original songs…
I've never been against the concept of remixes. I always maintain that remixes should enhance a song and take it to the next level. If they can't be better versions of the original song, then they shouldn't be made at all.
Besides being a musician, you're also an actor. Which craft do you prefer?
I cannot choose one. Being an actor helps me as a musician and vice versa; the crafts are interdependent. While an actor's job is to emote, a singer renders a track keeping the emotions in mind. So, being an actor and singer helps. While doing playback, I can feel the emotion that an actor would convey.
Like actors, do singers also face gender pay disparity in the industry?
I'm sure there must be disparity, but I don't care about it. India is worse off when we compare the disparity here with the global industry. But that shouldn't affect an artiste.
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