Prateeksha Srivastava on her unexpected Bollywood moment with R Madhavan-Fatima Sana Shaikh’s ‘Mila Tujhe’ in Aap Jaisa Koi: ‘I recorded it in 2022, Aankh with Sunidhi Chauhan happened in 2024’ – Exclusive |
The soulful voice behind Mila Tujhe from Aap Jaisa Koi, Prateeksha opened up in this exclusive interview about how the romantic ballad unexpectedly found its place on the big screen three years after it was recorded. She reflected on her dual role as a composer and singer, the early classical training that shaped her sound, and the sweetest compliment she’s received for her work so far. Excerpts…How did it feel transitioning from indie composer to becoming the voice of ‘Mila Tujhe’ in Aap Jaisa Koi?The song is so beautiful that recording my vocals for it became a very joyous process.How did you get on board for the romantic ballad?I was called by Raj Shekhar sir, the lyricist of this song. I had never met Justin Prabhakaran before this. We recorded the song then and there in the studio, and then I think I never knew what was going to happen with it. After three years, I got to know that it’s being featured in a movie.What drew you to this project—was it the melody, the lyrics by Raj Shekhar, or the actors Madhavan and Fatima?I think the melody hit me first. It is so breezy and has a bit of vintage elements in it. There are so many live instruments playing in the background. It is such a hummable, sweet melody.After the acclaim for ‘Aankh’, how did that experience influence your approach to ‘Mila Tujhe’?Mila Tujhe was recorded in 2022, Aankh happened in 2024. It’s good to be on both sides of the studio. When I record as a singer, I have a better idea of what the composer wants now because, being a composer myself, I have become familiar with the approach and my perspective has changed.What kind of reviews have you been receiving for the song? Which was the best compliment you have gotten so far for the same?Anybody who heard the song has showered compliments on me. I think the best one was “Felt like an angel was singing this song.” I think it was a very sweet compliment.You began classical training at age three—how have your early lessons shaped your modern musical style?They are the foundation. And foundation helps the building remain in its position and not crumble and fall. That’s exactly what lessons by my father, mother, and my other teachers have done for me.You’re both singing and composing—how do you balance wearing both these hats, especially in Bollywood?It’s fun, I love it. It’s great to have both perspectives—of a composer and of a singer. It helps me in both processes simultaneously, so balancing it is rather my good fortune.As a composer, who would be your all-time go-to singers (male and female) for a song?Most of my songs I compose for my voice so one would be me, and I absolutely love Mohan Kannan Sir’s voice . As a singer, name one actress you would love to lend your voice to and why?I would love to lend my voice to Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra and Mrunal Thakur. Who would your dream collaboration be with?I would love to collaborate with AR Rahman, Skrillex, Pink Pantherss, Santosh Narayan Sid Sriram and many others.
