📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

Meet the Indian Shakira of the Film Industry - Neha Kakkar She grew up with a dream to sing someday like her sister. Having such talent at home, she never felt the need to get any formal training in singing.

By Punita Sabharwal

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Entrepreneur India

They are the 35 boldest entrepreneurs of India who are changing the game in various industries and together they represent the optimism, inventiveness, and boldness of India's millennial entrepreneurs. They have not just questioned the conventional wisdom but answered it with their fiery and risky business undertakings. They have inspired every young Indian to not shy away from breaking the status quo, rewriting the rules and transforming the world.

Entrepreneur Magazine is glad to present Neha Kakkar, Singer who made it to our 35 under 35 special.

From a contestant on a reality television show to now being a judge for future singers, life has come full circle for this vivacious singer. 2016 was a year that belonged to Neha Kakkar with some chartbuster hits like Kala Chashma and Kar gayi chull. 2017 looks much more promising for this young talent.

Neha Kakkar started singing at the tender age of four. Being a sibling to Sonu Kakkar and Tony Kakkar, music was an everyday phenomenon at home. She grew up with a dream to sing someday like her sister. Having such talent at home, she never felt the need to get any formal training in singing. This further led to her aim to participate in Indian Idol 2. "Istarted with Bhajan-Sandhyas, Mata-ki-Chowki from the age of four until 16 when I auditioned for Indian Idol 2," shares Neha.

Not making it to the finals left her devastated. "People appreciated my voice saying that you sing well but nobody ever told me that I am a great singer and I wanted to prove that. So I polished my voice a lot from that time onwards so that people actually appreciate my voice," says Neha. Talking about life afterwards, Neha says, "I got my first blockbuster break for the movie Cocktail, where I sang "Second Hand Jawani'. She went on to deliver hits like "Dhating-Naach', "Sunny- Sunny', "Aao Raja', "Manali Trance' and many more.

On judging the reality show, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs, she says, "Having shot three episodes till now, every time I audition somebody, I actually feel their emotions. I go into the flashback when I was a
contestant myself." When asked if she would get into business anytime soon, she shares, "If ever, it has to be a clothing line."

(This article was first published in the February issue of Entrepreneur Magazine. To subscribe, click here)

Punita Sabharwal

Entrepreneur Staff

Managing Editor, Entrepreneur India

Business News

James Clear Explains Why the 'Two Minute Rule' Is the Key to Long-Term Habit Building

The hardest step is usually the first one, he says. So make it short.

News and Trends

Fashion Startup Lyskraft, FlexiCloud Internet, and AI startup Control One Secure Early-Stage Funding

Here are the Indian startups that announced early-stage funding rounds.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Growing a Business

Your Comprehensive Guide to Becoming an SEO Expert – and Making Money While Doing It

Whether you're looking to earn more money or grow your digital presence, becoming an SEO expert could be a major windfall.

Marketing

5 Steps to Take to Start Your Small Business Blog Today

The first step: Get to know WordPress, up close and personal.

Business News

These 'Expressive Avatar' Deepfakes From a Billion-Dollar AI Startup Look Scary Real — Here's Who's Already Using the Technology

Is that a real person or an AI clone? New technology makes it nearly impossible to tell.