Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Utsavi Jha has now found herself behind the screen, not for a music video, but for the recently released Disney+ Hotstar original family-drama movie Gulmohar. For her film debut, Jha took on the role of singer-songwriter Amrita Batra. She’s even contributed to the film’s soundtrack by singing on the piano-aided “Woh Ghar,” composed by Siddharth Khosla.
In this interview with Rolling Stone India, Jha talks about how she got the role in the film, what she learned from the whole process, sharing screen space with legends such as Sharmila Tagore and Manoj Bajpayee, and more. Read excerpts:
How did you bag this role?
My director Rahul Chitella was very keenly involved in casting and was on the lookout for a singer and songwriter to essay the role of Amrita. I’m grateful that Rahul and Dilip sir, our casting director, decided to put their trust in me to act in this special movie. Special mention and thanks to NS Padmanabhan sir from Spotify India who recommended me, and [guitarist-composer] Ehsaan Noorani sir who also advised me in the process. I went through almost five to six rounds of auditions before they locked me as Amrita. So, I’d say being a singer and songwriter helped but I also had to audition and train to get the role.
What was it like to be part of this film?
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av RollingStone India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av RollingStone India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Akshath Plots India Tour on the Back of Hit Song 'Nadaaniyan'
Mumbai artist's breezy love song took over streaming charts and short-video platforms
Aksh Baghla and 10CM Swap Languages in 'Spring Snow' Hindi Version
The Indian pop artist got the South Korean indie-pop artist to sing in Hindi on his hit song from the 'Lovely Runner, Part 8' soundtrack
Sukha Talks New EP '2003' and the Success of '8 Asle'
The Toronto-based Punjabi artist also looks back at hits like 'Sangdi' and the EP 'Undisputed'
Masrat Un Nisa on Channeling Raj Begum in Upcoming Film 'Songs of Paradise'
Inspired by the legendary Kashmiri voice Raj Begum, the singer talks about working with filmmaker Danish Renzu, who has also called on her for songs with his label Renzu Music
How Daira's 'Jaadoo Bastar' Tapped Into Chhattisgarh Tribal Stories
Mumbai rock band teamed up with artists including Lakheshwar Khudaram and Hindi lyricist Alok Ranjan Srivastava for five songs and a documentary that goes behind the scenes of the project
Peekay Embraces Djent on 'Merciless' and Plots an L.A. Move
The Hyderabad artist worked with guitarist Jonathan Edward and prog band Skyharbor's Keshav Dhar on the track
The Derelicts Take a 'Highway Drive' on Euphoric New Song
The Kochi disco-pop/electronica band introduce a science fiction-informed storyline for their first release since 2018
Sudan on How 'Happy Accidents' Led To His Genre-Defying Debut Album
Mumbai-based producer and multiinstrumentalist launched 'Sudan?' in August with a collab-heavy list of guests including Tejas, Frizzell D'Souza and more
Zubin Mehta Talks Symphony Orchestra of India Concerts
The Mumbai-born conductor leads a slightly offbeat selection for the SOI Autumn 2024 Season, taking place on Aug. 17 and 18, followed by Aug. 24 and 25
Ameya Saraf: 'I Wanted to Do Music for Life the First Time I Picked Up a Guitar'
Los Angeles-based Indian composer and producer worked his way from the rock scene to assisting pop artist Arjun Kanungo at the latter's Promethean Studio in Mumbai