Hemaa Sardesai Opens Up About Her Decision to Leave Bollywood
Renowned playback singer Hemaa Sardesai, celebrated for delivering iconic tracks such as 'Aawaara Bhanware', 'Ishq Sona', and 'Badal Pe Paon Hai', has recently disclosed the profound reasons behind her departure from the Bollywood music industry. This revelation came in response to an Instagram post by influencer Hemant Dalvi, who highlighted her versatility and career. Sardesai, who collaborated with legends like AR Rahman, chose to step away at the peak of her success, citing a steadfast refusal to compromise her personal values and principles.
The Turning Point: A Stand Against Compromise
In a detailed comment, Sardesai expressed that her decision to distance herself from Bollywood was driven by an unwavering commitment to her virtues. She stated, "It is true that I decided to move away from the industry after major success of my songs, coz I refused to compromise my virtues, values & principles. And hated to see others do that." This stance made her journey challenging, as she often found herself as the last choice for many music directors due to her strict 'no-compromise' policy.
Challenges in the Studio and Career Sacrifices
Sardesai recalled facing numerous obstacles, including frequent walk-outs from recording studios when pressured to compromise. Despite this, she was blessed with opportunities like singing 'Awara Bhavren' for AR Rahman, a song that remained number one for over 14 weeks. However, the road remained tough. She described how she was typically approached only when film directors or producers insisted on her voice, or during conflicts between music directors and their preferred singers. Often, she was called directly to the studio with only 15 minutes to learn and record a song, relying on divine grace to deliver hits.
- She rendered more than 100 Bollywood songs under such pressured conditions.
- Most of these tracks became super hits, loved by audiences nationwide.
- Her resilience and talent shone through, even in adverse circumstances.
The Final Straw and Move to Hollywood
The emergence of singing reality shows led to an influx of over 50 female playback singers in the industry. Sardesai shared that after 'Badal Pe Paon Hai', she learned that many upcoming singers were compromising their virtues to compete with her. As an 'Ambassador For The Girl Child', she found this blasphemy unbearable. This realization prompted her to make one of her biggest career sacrifices: leaving Bollywood. She revealed, "God took me straight away to Hollywood then," where she achieved international success, including releasing the American single 'Power of Love' with Grammy-winning producer Tony Mercedes.
Legacy and International Achievements
Hemaa Sardesai's career extends beyond Bollywood, with notable accomplishments on the global stage. She is the only Indian singer to win the Grand Prix at the International Pop Song Festival in Germany and has performed at the International UNICEF Concert in Europe. Her song 'Badal Pe Paon Hai' from Chakde India continues to resonate, especially with the rise of India's women's cricket team. Through her journey, Sardesai exemplifies integrity and talent, leaving a lasting impact on the music world while staying true to her values.
