Maahi, what was the moment that you knew that you wanted to become a singer?
There wasn’t just one moment, but I was always drawn to performing in school. Around 12, I first said I wanted to be a singer—without realising how much work it would take. When the time came to choose between studying abroad or pursuing music, it was tough. But my late grandmother, Thammu, always told me to follow my heart. By 14-15, I knew this was it, I had to give it my all.
How was the experience of working on your first track titled Sorry?
Working on Sorry was a huge milestone for me. When it dropped on February 1, 2024, it felt surreal, something we had poured so much into was finally out in the world. I expected a low-key release, but the love and support were overwhelming. What makes this song even more special is its message. In a world where grudges come easy, we wanted to normalise saying ‘sorry.’ It’s a simple word, but it carries so much weight, which is why this track will always be close to my heart
Tell us about your upcoming tracks?
I recently got my first playback song Tera kya karoo for Nadaaniyan, starring Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor. It was an incredible experience because playback singing has always been a dream of mine. Getting to debut in such a big film meant a lot, and I’m so grateful to Sachin Sir, Jigar Sir, and director Shauna Gautam for trusting me with this song. Up next, I have a track called Dil behkaaye with Paradox, which I’m super excited about. The video is really fun, quirky, and different from anything I’ve done before. Beyond that, I’m finally gearing up for my first EP. I haven’t fully started recording yet, but I have a clear vision for the themes. So right after this, I might just head straight to the studio!
When it comes to your father, what kind of advice did he give you?
Whenever people ask me about my dad’s advice, my first thought isn’t always music. To me, he’s just Baba—my dad. His guidance goes beyond music; it’s about life. One thing he always tells me is: Whatever you do, do it with sincerity and do it well. But when it comes to music, having him around is like having Google on WhatsApp—always there when I need help, whether it’s figuring out a tricky note or just seeking advice. It’s like having a cheat code. I also have to mention my mom—she’s the mental coach of the house. If my confidence dips, she lifts me up. If it gets too high, she keeps me grounded. She’s my go to on all ups and downs of this journey.
Have you ever been interested in becoming an actor?
I’d be lying if I said no. I’m trying not to just sort of limit myself to being a singer. I want to be a performer, I want to be an entertainer, I want to be dancing, I want to be acting, I want to be doing it all. But at the same time, I do recognize that acting at this point in time, especially, is something I need to give more time to. I’m not there yet at all. I need tons and tons of more training, practice. We’re so used to seeing such great content now and you can see what a genuinely trained, good actor, good performance looks like. At some point, I’d love to give acting a shot.
You’ve seen the music industry since childhood, what are the things that you picked up?
One of the best things is getting wisdom that would normally take 20-30 years to learn. There are people who’ve been doing this for decades who just advise you straight up—‘Do it like this, avoid that’. And that guidance is priceless. Even my dad has received so much wisdom from his seniors, and that gets passed on to me. I’m getting the premium stuff. But one thing’s clear, nothing comes easy. Talent and hard work matter most. I’m in this for the long run, evolving, creating good music, staying grounded, and working hard. That’s what truly counts.
Singers you’d like to collaborate with?
AP Dhillon, Diljit Dosanjh, Paradox, Karan Aujla, Badshah, Sachin-Jigar, Pritam, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shreya Ghoshal, Lisa Mishra, Jonita Gandhi,— so many! My brother Soham. And of course, my baba, Shaan.
Actors you’d like to playback for?
Ibrahim Ali Khan, Aashim Gulati, Vedang Raina, Karthik Aryan, Junaid Khan, Ahan Shetty and myself. The list keeps evolving
This is the first time you’ve shot with Filmfare, how was the experience?
Shooting with Filmfare was incredible. Fun story – During COVID, my friends Arnav and Siya joked that if I ever got featured, they’d act modest and say, ‘Don’t mention us’, but secretly, they’d want me to. So here’s their shoutout! Jokes apart, it’s a huge honour, and I hope to be a regular here in the years to come.
See Also: Ghar Aa Maahi: First Song From Bandish Bandits Season 2 is Soulful