Every artist in their career, has that one special year where they outdo themselves professionally. Actors delivering multiple hits, singers producing multiple chartbusters, artists winning multiple awards, sportspersons winning multiple tournaments, making and breaking records, all in that one super successful year. And that one very year becomes the career highlight of the artist and hence can be called their milestone year. So, here is Whims and Quirks with a new column featuring an artist and their most successful year professionally, The Milestone Year.
It is my honour to start this new segment with one of the biggest legends in the field of music, the super iconic, Sunidhi Chauhan. I am starting this series with her because while listening to her songs recently on Jio Saavn, I realised that she ruled the year 2006 and how! She delivered the biggest hit of the year, Beedi (Omkara), showed her versatility with songs like Dekho Na and Mere Haath Mein (Fanaa), and who can forget the amazing Crazy Kiya Re (Dhoom 2). She also won multiple awards for Beedi and represented India at the Asian Games, Doha and Commonwealth Games,Melbourne. In 2006, Sunidhi Chauhan was truly at the top of her game and she was just 23!
Year’s Biggest Chartbusters
Sunidhi Chauhan was the unequivocal choice of the masses in ‘2006’ and was belting one hit after the other. Just look at her repertoire of songs, it is beyond amazing! Beedi Jalaile (Omkara) was the biggest hit of the year. Crazy Kiya Re (Dhoom 2) was another chartbuster. Both her songs from 36 China Town, (title track and 24*7 I think of you) were mega hits. Soniye and Lagi Lagi (Aksar) as well were equally popular (the former being one of my favourites). Additionally, Ye Mera Dil remake (Don) was also well received by her fans, even though the original was sung by the legendary Asha Bhosle. Apart from these, she had the two romantic ballads from Fanaa with Sonu Nigam (Dekho Na and Mere Haath Mein) along with the soothing Lamha Lamha (Gangster) with Abhijeet. Among the easy-breezy ones, I really like Mundeya (Shaadi Se Pehle) and Sania Badnaam (Apna Sapna Money Money).
Versatility And Singing Prowess
Sunidhi Chauhan is one of the most versatile voices in the world and the year 2006 was a testimony to that. In the same year, when she was singing dance numbers like Crazy Kiya Re and Beedi on one hand, she was also the voice for the soft and romantic Dekho Na (Fanaa). She effortlessly sang Soniye (Aksar) and Ek Nazar Mein Bhi (Taxi No 9211) where she sounds super cool, popish and edgy along with the soulful Meethi Meethi Baatan (Aap Ki Khatir). Such variety of genres in one single year!
Moreover, the vocal range at display is breathtaking! She sang Mere Saath Chalte Chalte (Humko Deewana Kar Gaye) and Laagi Laagi (Aksar) with equal ease. Also, her adlibs, her use of the falsetto, her expressions, everything pitch-perfect! And if you happen to listen to the title song of Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota and her songs in Zindagi Rocks or Iman Ka Asar from Dor, Sunidhi’s singing prowess is at full display.
Global Recognition
The Year 2006 was also a marquee year in Sunidhi Chauhan’s career because she represented India in two huge global platforms that year. First, was her group song ‘Dilli Chalein’ which she sang in the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, Melbourne along with Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal and Shamaik Davar. Next, in December 2006, she was a part of the opening ceremony of the Asian Games, Doha where she performed the English track ‘Reach Out’ with aplomb.
Awards
2006 was also the first time Sunidhi won most of the the major mainstream singing awards for Beedi as it was the song of the year. Moreover, out of the five nominations at the Filmfare Awards for the year 2006, three belonged to her. Along with Beedi, she was also nominated for the title song of 36 China Town and Soniye (Aksar).
The Stunning Sunidhi Chauhan
Sunidhi Chauhan has always been one of my most favorite singers across the world and I simply adore her for her artistry. I have always maintained that she is made for the global stage and, if stardom was directly proportional to talent, she deserves to be the biggest superstar ever. Also, having seen her perform live, I can vouch for her brilliance as a vocalist and live performer! Having said that, whenever the career of Sunidhi Chauhan will be reminisced, the year 2006 will always have a special mention as this was the year that made her the undisputed queen of singing in Bollywood.
Sunidhi’s Latest Cinkara Ad/Song
Pic Courtesy : Sunidhi Chauhan’s Instagram Page
More From Whims And Quirks
- Artist of the Month : Anuradha Sriram
- Take Five : Top 5 Shahrukh Khan Movie Performances
- DIET MOVIE REVIEWS (E02) – ABOUT A BOY, SCHOOL OF ROCK, MEAN GIRLS
(Disclaimer – I do not own the rights to the images/links displayed on the page. The rights remain with their rightful owners. The images are sourced from various public online sources to provide references to Sunidhi Chauhan.)
Whims and Quirks 