Antara Mitra on Gerua, Janam Janam, SRK, Bollywood Music & Her Journey | Az Iz Podcast

In this episode of Az Iz Podcast, host Nakash Aziz sits down with the incredibly talented Bollywood playback singer Antara Mitra for an unfiltered conversation about her musical journey, Bollywood, iconic songs, memorable collaborations and experiences in the Indian music industry. From lending her voice to some of Bollywood's most loved romantic songs like Gerua and Janam Janam from Dilwale, featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, to the energetic Manma Emotion Jaage, Antara has been part of several unforgettable musical moments. She takes us through her journey and the stories behind popular songs like Saree Ke Fall Sa from R... Rajkumar, Bheegi Si Bhaagi Si from Raajneeti, Jaaneman Aah and Ishqa from Dishoom, Itni Si Baat Hai from Azhar, Aira Gaira from Kalank, Ding Dang from Munna Michael, Fikar Not from Chhichhore, Dil Hi Toh Hai from The Sky Is Pink, Mehrama from Love Aaj Kal and Kesariya (Dance Mix) from Brahmastra. Her musical journey has brought her opportunities to work with some of the biggest names in the Indian film industry, including Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Sushant Singh Rajput, Shraddha Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Emraan Hashmi, Jacqueline Fernandez, John Abraham and Tiger Shroff through their film soundtracks. She has also collaborated with celebrated music composers and artists including Pritam, Sajid-Wajid, Sonu Nigam, Arijit Singh, Mohit Chauhan, Mika Singh, Shaan, Nakash Aziz and many more. 🎙️ Guest: Antara Mitra 🎤 Host: Nakash Aziz 🎧 Podcast: Az Iz Podcast Chapters: 00:00 Best Moments from the Episode 01:18 Introducing Antara Mitra | The Friendship with Nakash 04:07 From Indian Idol Contestants to Lifelong Friends 08:40 Growing Up in a Small Town & Battling Self-Doubt 12:30 The Untold Stories of Antara's Indian Idol Journey 16:21 Making It to the Top 5 | The Raw Maslandpur Story 20:34 Growing Up in a Bengali Musical Family 23:40 Jagjit Singh, Gulzar & Her Early Musical Influences 26:00 Making Mixtapes & The Pre-YouTube Era 28:50 From Indian Idol to Dreaming of Playback Singing 29:25 How Antara Became a Vocal Casting Expert with Pritam 31:28 Learning the Recording Studio Business from Scratch 32:54 Pritam's Mentorship | The Power of Scratch Singing 35:21 Moving to Mumbai & Starting Life from Zero 38:22 Her First Recording Assignments & TV Serial Songs 41:53 Why Antara Chose the Recording Studio Over Live Shows 43:20 Living in a PG, Surviving on McDonald's & Early Struggles 45:48 The Bengali Community That Made Mumbai Feel Like Home 50:03 Self-Entertainment vs Professional Playback Singing 51:47 The Shreya Ghoshal Moment That Changed Her Singing 55:10 Voice Texture, Practice & The Secret to Becoming a Better Singer 01:02:37 Learning from Udit Narayan, Shaan & The Legends 01:08:31 Facing Rejections, Insecurities & Finding Her Place in Music 01:15:35 Why the Song Matters More Than the Singer | Pritam's Ethics 01:24:05 What Makes a Singer Truly Special? Finding the X-Factor 01:33:09 Working with Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan & Bollywood Directors 01:55:44 Independent Music, Brutally Honest Feedback & Reality Show Judging 02:09:42 The Evolution of Music & Antara's Academic Journey 02:13:33 Aaj Ki Party, Social Change, Life Philosophy & AI 02:23:03 Never Have I Ever | Personal Confessions & Celebrating Friendship In this conversation, we explore: Antara's journey from Indian Idol to becoming a recognised Bollywood playback singer. The making and memories behind Gerua and Janam Janam. Her experiences recording songs for Shah Rukh Khan films. Working with some of Bollywood's biggest music composers. The changing landscape of playback singing and the music industry. Her most memorable recording sessions and career-defining moments. Life beyond the microphone and her personal musical philosophy. Tune in for an honest, nostalgic and entertaining conversation with one of Bollywood's most versatile voices. AZ IZ PODCAST Unfiltered conversations. Untold stories. Unforgettable music. Hosted by Nakash Aziz. Subscribe to the channel for more conversations with the legends and voices of the Indian music industry. #AntaraMitra #AzIzPodcast #NakashAziz #Gerua #JanamJanam #BollywoodSinger #PlaybackSinger #BollywoodMusic #Dilwale #Pritam