3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anusha Mani: Art brings people together , AI can't replace that
Anusha Mani, celebrated for her distinctive voice in Bollywood hits, is venturing into acting with the OTT series 'Hai Junoon.' She expresses concerns about AI's growing influence on music creation, emphasizing the importance of human collaboration and the spiritual essence of art.
With a voice that has defined hits like Gulaabo, Tera Rasta Chhodoon Na, and Lazy Lamhe and many others, Anusha Mani has long been popular name in film music. Known for her unique tone, heartfelt delivery, and the emotional depth she brings to her performances, Anusha recently added a new feather to her creative cap: her acting debut in the OTT series Hai Junoon.
In a candid conversation, the playback singer-turned-actor opens up about the evolving music landscape in the age of AI, the thrill of live concerts, her personal rituals, and what truly brings her joy offstage.
Anusha Mani in the OTT series Hai Junoon
AI is rapidly entering the music space, from voice cloning to composing melodies. How do you see it shaping the future of music and the role of musicians?
I think this is the most dangerous aspect of AI.
Music creation is a spiritual experience, extremely collaborative and immersive. To achieve the same results through technology is a mockery of the art form. Being an artist, it's hard enough to sustain in this industry as self-employed freelancers, and to have AI come and take over is as scary as this world can get for an artist.'
Would you ever consider working with AI-generated music or tracks?
Being true to my beliefs is very important to me.
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Creating music is a collaborative experience, and art brings people together in a way nothing else can. In a world where people are more lonely than ever, I would never encourage or be a part of an AI-generated track.
How different is the energy of a live performance compared to a studio recording? Do you have any pre-concert rituals?
The experiences are poles apart. A live recording is a very intimate experience. A few people creating a song and putting their talent and creative ideas into a collaborative effort.
You can take your time to evaluate, erase, change, or repeat until you're satisfied with the job. A live concert is all about being present in the moment, it's instant gratification. There's no room for errors or any possibility of rectifying it.
The highs of a live show are incomparable.
Pre-concert ritual is a vocal warm-up, breathing exercises, some stretches or cardio if I have the time or energy, and a small prayer of gratitude to the universe, and a prayer to keep everyone on stage safe.
You've performed everywhere, from weddings to major festivals. Is there a performance that has stayed with you creatively or emotionally?
There isn't one single venue or event. Each one brings its own set of challenges and wins. Like a wedding gig where the audience enjoyed thumris -- where mostly people just want to dance -- or a BMP festival where I did a tribute to the 90s pop era, the joy and nostalgia I saw in people's eyes was really gratifying.
Do you tailor your setlists for different cities and audiences, or is it mostly fixed in advance?
We have a fixed set list that is rehearsed and set for every show. We do sometimes incorporate regional songs — like doing a Tamil song in Chennai — or switch the set list if people want to just listen to songs instead of dancing. I break into some ghazals or ballads if I feel like the audience really wants an immersive experience rather than a party atmosphere.
Looking back at your journey, what were some turning points that shaped your musical career?
I think singing songs like Lazy Lamhe, Tera Rasta, to Gulaabo — there's been some variety in the songs I've sung. I think the journey is long, yet to be explored, and I'm very excited to be working and finding new avenues to bring my art to the world through music, and now acting.'
What does a perfect day off look like for Anusha Mani?
A day off basically means a lot of playtime with my four-legged child, Buddy, at home, a good nap while watching murder documentaries, hanging out with my family, or cleaning my house.
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