Film producer Shilpa Ganesh, wife of Kannada actor Ganesh, has added another accomplishment to her repertoire — playback singing. She has lent her voice to a romantic track in the upcoming Tulu film Picture, marking her singing debut in her mother tongue. What began as casual karaoke sessions with friends and family has now transformed into a full-fledged studio recording experience for Shilpa.
A Journey from Karaoke to Studio
Shilpa shared her journey, stating, "Growing up, I trained in classical singing and Bharatanatyam for a while, and I always felt thrilled whenever people appreciated my singing. But I still wasn't convinced that I could sing well. My friends and family often encouraged me to sing after hearing me at our karaoke sessions. They would tease Ganesh, saying he should cast me as a playback singer in his films. However, we never wanted to impose ourselves, so I simply decided to go with the flow."
She added, "I'm happy that when it finally happened, it was for a Tulu film. That made it extra special. Music director Samuel Aby felt my voice suited the romantic track Gokuladha Radhe and simply said, 'Madam, please do it.' There were no frills around it. I just went to the studio and sang."
A Unique Recording Experience
Interestingly, Samuel did not want her to rehearse beforehand. "I recorded both the Tulu and Kannada versions in a single day. The experience left me feeling very happy. Friends from the industry messaged me saying, 'Neevu munche yaake haadilla madam?' (Why didn't you sing earlier, madam?) That was enough validation for me," she said.
Shilpa's debut has been well-received, with many encouraging her to pursue more singing opportunities. The track is expected to be a highlight of the film Picture, which is slated for release soon.
