EXCLUSIVE: ‘Nobody wanted to work with me,’ Neha Bhasin recalls being outcast by Bollywood after she filed a legal case for credits in her first playback song

Neha Bhasin is a popular singer and songwriter. Over the years, she has given Bollywood some amazing songs including Dhunki and Swag Se Swaagat. However, her journey wasn’t an easy ride. She has had her share of ups and downs in the industry. Speaking of that, Neha recently joined Bollywood Bubble for a candid conversation. In the latest episode of Let’s Talk With Bollywood Bubble Podcast, Neha opened up on facing gender discrimination in Bollywood. That’s not all, she also recalled fighting a legal battle for credits in her first playback song and lot more.

Neha recalls facing gender discrimination

When asked how difficult it was to carve a niche for herself as a woman in the industry, Neha said, “If you speak first technically, I was a husky voice and to sing with a man was difficult. You need a much higher range of voice for that. This is a technical problem. And India mein woh gaane jyada bante the. If you hear, the women’s voices were thinner, more suprano voices technically wherein my voice is more like a base. I come in the low-mid range of voices.” She went on to add that it’s not simple for a women to make a name for herself and added that times have now changed. Neha also mentioned that she was a ‘famous nobody for many years’.

Neha Bhasin recalls her struggling days

The singer went on to add that struggle is not always about money. She said, “Sometimes its struggle to find a voice in the industry, struggle to stay relevant, struggle to be a somebody, struggle to have success, struggle to stand by your scruples and yet make it. It’s very difficult.”

Neha Bhasin recalls being outcast by Bollywood

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Furthermore, Neha mentioned that she wanted to be a global pop star but it wasn’t possible back then. She said, “My struggle was that I was trying to fit in a world I didn’t really belong in which is Bollywood. Maine pehla gaana Bullet ek Dhamaka jaise film mein gaaya tha. Anyway, woh toh kisiko pata nahi hai. Uske baad mera pehla proper gaana hai Ek Look Ek Look from Aryan: Unbreakable and the music director decided not to give me credit for it and credited the producer for the film and mujhe backing vocalist ka woh de diya tha. Jab humne fight karne ki koshish kari toh mujhe daba diya. (When I decided to fight, they suppressed me) Then I had to fight the case in the court. So, at the age of 23 I am fighting a case for credits and now this case blew out of proportion and I had to put a stay order on the film and all of that.”

Neha further recalled that after the controversy no one wanted to work with her. She added, “The whole case was traumatic.”

Neha talks about not getting due in Bollywood

The singer went on to add that her proper song in Bollywood was Kuch Khas Hai from Fashion (2007). However, her struggle didn’t end there. She added, “I felt like I didn’t get my due. People loved the song but they didn’t know who I was. I got nominated but didn’t win it which is okay but I used to feel very invisible at that time. I felt very hurt, very alone, and unseen.” It took a very long time for her to be recognized by people.

During the conversation, Neha recalled how she felt when people thought Dhunki was sung by Sunidhi Chauhan. She said, “Again I felt I am not getting my credit. I felt what is the problem? Why can’t people just see me or what am I doing? Every song I did and in every industry was a hit whether I’ve sung in Tamil, Telugu or Bollywood. It created a lot of pain and sadness inside me.”

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Recalling an incident, Neha said, “I remember at one of the awards show, one of the actresses was on stage and she forgot to mention my name. I see it very differently today but imagine what kind of powerful manifestor I can be that I am feeling so shitty about my life and this woman has not said my name. She said everyone’s name but mine and I didn’t win that award also that day.”

Watch the video below:

During the candid conversation, Neha also spoke about being slut-shamed and suffering from anxiety after Bigg Boss.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Neha Bhasin opens up on suffering through a mood disorder: I fight anxiety and my demons every day

Nawaz Kochra

Nawaz Kochra has been an experienced journalist in the entertainment arena for the last 9 years. Worked with the biggest brands in the media fraternity, he now heads the editorial desk at Bollywood Bubble. In addition to that, he even hosts a podcast called, Let’s Talk with Bollywood Bubble. Someone who is calm, yet a firecracker, and holds a balanced opinion about things, Nawaz is strong-headed and determined. He loves films as well as web shows and TV (yes, he is from that generation!), and that’s why writing about them is more of a passion for him than just a job.