From Bollywood to the Global Stage: Shreya Ghoshal on Her Unstoppable World Tour

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Shreya Ghoshal is one of India’s most celebrated playback singers, with a voice that has become synonymous with some of Bollywood’s biggest films and most memorable songs. Now, with her Unstoppable Tour, she’s finally bringing her music to audiences across the globe. In New York, Ghoshal sat down with The Daily to talk about her international ambitions, the songs that changed her career, the evolution of Indian music on the global stage, and why she’s happily enjoying a little anonymity in the city.

You’re currently on your Unstoppable world tour. What’s been the most exciting part so far?

It’s such a blessing that I get to do this, and it’s been such a wonderful tour so far. There’s something about the energy of New York and this country that makes you feel like there’s so much more to do in life. I think this is just the beginning. There’s a lot of music coming your way, a lot of new collaborations that will happen ASAP. I don’t know what else, but anything’s possible here.

For anyone who may be discovering your music for the first time, where should they start?

My first song that was heard by people back in India was for Devdas, which also made an international impact. It was quite a massive film, and I had lots of songs on that album. My first song was “Bairi Piya,” and then there was “Dola Re Dola.” Those were all major hits.

That was back in 2002, and since then, every year there have been different songs, different milestones, and different genres. If I have to choose, there are songs like “Barso Re,” “Megha,” and “Yeh Ishq Hai,” which were all important during that first decade of the 2000s. Then came “Sun Raha Hai Na Tu” in 2013, followed by “Deewani Mastani.” And very recently, “Saiyaara,” which is a song in two languages, Hindi and Malayalam. Back in India, we have so many languages, so that’s also very interesting.

You’ve gone from being a Bollywood star to more global fame. What has that transition been like?

I think the world is opening up and looking into the beautiful culture that we have back in India. It’s so interesting for Western ears to listen to Bollywood. But Bollywood doesn’t really represent everything. It’s a term that makes it easier to understand what Indian music is all about, but there are so many different genres under that umbrella.

I think now the world is getting smaller and we’re truly open to collaborations. It’s not just India. I think the whole of Asia, and South American music as well, is becoming more about, “Let’s speak to each other. Let’s collaborate. Let’s bring music together that sounds new and fresh and connects us in some sort of social manner.”

People are very excited about Indian music making its mark. I’m seeing that transition and I feel happy about it.

What’s your favorite song to perform live?

Oh, okay. You’re catching me off guard! “Afreen.” It has a lot of emotion, and it’s so loved by people.

Who is your dream artist to collaborate with?

In India, I have kind of collaborated with most of them. So I think now I have to be the fangirl and manifest a collaboration with Coldplay. I genuinely love that band a lot. I grew up listening to them. So, one day. One song. It’s coming soon!

You have more than 30 million followers across social media. How do you even fathom that many people following you?

It has happened over time, slowly. I call them my family. And they are my family because they have literally seen me grow. This has been a 30-year journey — from being a child on a reality show to making my first single, and then films and all the music that came out that. There are people who have been with me that entire time. That little family has grown from a few thousand to millions. I feel honored. What do I say? I’m overwhelmed and always grateful to them.

You must be recognized constantly in India. Are you recognized here in New York, too?

Not yet. But I’m very happy about that. It’s more chill. Of course, if there are people from the Indian subcontinent — India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal — they definitely listen to a lot of my music. Even in the Middle East, people are very tuned into Indian music and films, so there are always people from those areas who recognize me wherever I am. But in New York, life is so fast. Everyone is racing somewhere. Everyone is getting to a point, and that is the beauty of the city. I’m enjoying that anonymity.

Who are your favorite social media follows?

Oh my God, I follow so many people! Here in America, for example, I love seeing how our wonderful Priyanka Chopra is making waves. I love what she is doing and how she’s making us so proud with her presence on the best stages of global achievement. She has been a collaborator and a friend. I’ve sung a lot of songs for her where she has lip-synced in films, so it’s my voice. I follow her and I’m very proud.

Then there are people back in India that I genuinely love, all my collaborative musicians, Mr. A. R. Rahman, and then here there’s Diljit, who is making a lot of waves globally with Punjabi music.

Where do you go for the best Indian food in New York City?

Bungalow, by Chef Vikas Khanna. I’m going there as soon as I finish my interviews today. It’s Michelin-starred and has genuine, authentic Indian food. More than the food, though, the chef himself is pure. He’s all heart, and he puts his divine energy into the food. I think I’m most excited to be there, meet him, and have the food.

If you could describe this next chapter of your life in one word, what would it be?

Unstoppable. The tour is called Unstoppable, so I should believe that it is that. All of this has been a long journey, but I’m still discovering myself. I think now is the time to look beyond the comfort of home. I’m ready to break into new genres and collaborate with new people. I’m still discovering, and I think that’s the most exciting part.