Check the slideshow above This interview will be more enjoyable watching on the video – you will learn why (which will be uploaded in time). I was looking forward to meet the second female playback singer, after Neha Kakkar, in my column – Neeti Mohan of Aasma group. We met at Nityanand Shetty’s newly opened restaurant Pebbles in Andheri. The lady came casually attired and looked as fresh as a daisy. After placing the order for Spicy Guava (room temp for the vocalist) and Lychee Honey mocktails we went with Crispy Potato, Cheese aur Subz ki Sheekh and Paneer ke Shikanje for starters. The oriental appetizer was scrumptious, sheekh exuded subtle flavors with cheesy topping and shikanje was melt-in-the-mouth. To begin from the beginning, Neeti was music teacher’s favorite while she studied at the Boarding school in Pilani, Rajasthan. “I was the main singer in the choir. I took part in music competitions and went on a winning spree.” Then Channel V happened, now she enthralls audiences globally with her playback and when she tours the world with A R Rehman as a part of his group. Vishal Dadlani heard her and Ishqwala Love came by. When I told her I enjoy hearing that song, she promptly sang it and graciously dedicated it to me – Thanks Neeti! I simply loved it. The health-conscious, non-veg-turned-veg singer wanted to skip the main course but I insisted we try some – so Veg Pulao, Dal and Bhindi Mirch Masala (fresh, tender ladyfingers). Though Pebbles is a seafood specialty restaurant serving coastal and Pan Asian cuisines, they excel in Indian and vegetarian dishes too. Neeti has also sung a fun song Saadi gulli aaja with young heartthrob Ayushman Khurrana for Nautanki Saala. “Tu ne maari entry is a peppy, energetic song which I loved recording,” reminisces Neeti and we have the pleasure of listening to her live. We recently heard her sing for the fragile and delicate Sonam in Bewakoofiyan and a western number for versatile Vidya Balan in Shaadi ke Side Effects. Realising I am a Tamilian, she croons one of her Tamil songs Nenjukkulleh and even explains the meaning of the song to me…wow Neeti, you are too good (even I am not well-versed with Tamil songs)! She has done a film but is not interested in taking it up as a full time career… “Not any time soon,” she says. She has trained in classical music and is a part of the living legend of music A R Rehman’s troupe of which she gushes, “I am living my dream.” Being the eldest in a family of four female siblings, does she miss not having a brother? “Not at all,” she is emphatic. Being the eldest, all three sisters emulate her and practice the timeless tradition of calling the sibling older to each as ‘Didi’. Every day she gives a new name to her beagle Frodo, (named after her fave Hobbit from Lord of the Rings) and sings songs for her muse. “The moment I break into a song in front of him, he just looks up and must be thinking, ‘here she goes again!’,” laughs the singer. It was a high when, “I sang Kambal ke neeche for Ismail Darbar in Kanchi with both Shakti and Mukti dancing on it in the movie!” she says. For a musical finale to our lunch session, the cute singer sings a song written, composed and set to music by herself – on Chai (yes tea!) and when I come out of my trance, we decide to go with our sweet finale. Winding up with Angoori Rabdi for dessert, the sweetest Neeti too gave a huge ‘Thumbs Up’ to the food and service at Pebbles, promising the dapper owner Nityanand, “I will come back with my family for dinner.” Rapid Fire Questions with Neeti Mohan Foodie….. Yes…but I am careful. I also avoid having anything chilled. Can you cook? Basics. Reality shows you would like to do… Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. Single or dating? Single. Shopoholic…branded clothes… Sometimes. Mostly wear branded items. Your most popular song so far… Tu ne maari entry yaar dil mein bhaji ghanti. Idea of fun… Long drive and loud music with family or friends. You don’t leave the house without… My recording bag Dream destination... Iceland (but it’s chilly out there Neeti). Fitness mantra… Eat in moderation and I go for long walks. Dishes you relished at Pebbles... Spicy Guava and all the starters. (she skipped the main course).

(Pics by Amar Mehta)