Singer Nikhita Gandhi has built a career across film music, independent releases and live performances, but she says the journey was never carefully planned. Known for songs such as Qaafirana, Tere Pyaar Mein, Burjkhalifa and Do You Love Me, Gandhi credits curiosity rather than commercial ambition for shaping her career. “I’ve never chased commercial success,” she says. Trained as a dentist, she was studying in Chennai when music gradually became her profession. She says, “Unexpected artistic choices define me as a person. They’re something I actively pursue, and that’s a big focus for me in 2026 as well.”Pritam’s ‘Aloo’ nicknameHaving worked on several songs with composer Pritam, Gandhi says their association extends beyond playback recording. “Since I also perform live with Dada, there’s a bond that’s bigger than playback singing. We’re friends,” she says. Pritam often calls her “Aloo” — a nickname Gandhi takes in good humour. “He says I’m like a potato because I’m in every dish. According to him, you’ll hear my voice everywhere,” she shares. Nikhita adds that what she appreciates most is Pritam’s support for her work with other composers, including AR Rahman, Amit Trivedi, Sachin-Jigar and Tanishk Bagchi.‘There’s more music than ever before’She believes the biggest challenge facing musicians today is visibility. With streaming platforms making music more accessible than ever, she says artists are competing in an increasingly crowded space. “There’s more music than ever before, and it definitely makes it harder to break through the clutter,” she says. For independent musicians, promotion can be as demanding as the creative process itself. Limited marketing budgets often make it difficult to reach audiences, even when the music finds appreciation. “Getting your music discovered and reaching relevant listeners is one of the biggest challenges in today’s streaming ecosystem,” Gandhi says. Despite the challenges, she believes originality remains essential. “Being unique matters more than ever,” she says.
