‘No one can sell or buy Hema’: Sardesai urges artists to stay original

For over three decades, Hema Sardesai has stood out in Bollywood as a playback singer who not only delivered chartbusters but also held firm to her principles. From Goa to Bombay, she rose in the 1990s with hits such as Jaanam Samjha Karo and Badal Pe Paon Hai. What distinguishes her is not just her voice but also her insistence on saying no — to compromises, double-meaning lyrics, and the pressures of fitting into industry moulds.

Born in Bombay to Goan parents, Sardesai grew up in a household where faith and music were inseparable. Her family encouraged her individuality. “My parents and my sister always told me, ‘Be original, never imitate anyone,’” she recalls. “Even today, when people hear my songs, the compliment that matters most is that my voice and my style are different.”

As a child, she sang in church choirs while training in Indian classical music — a duality that shaped her versatility. Still in her teens, she began winning inter-collegiate singing competitions in Bombay, admired for her ability to balance control with emotion.

Breaking into Bollywood, however, was not easy. “There were no reality shows then,” she says. “We struggled. We had to prove ourselves through principles, values, and virtues — no compromise.”

The sound of the 1990s

Her persistence paid off in the 1990s, when a series of hits made her one of the defining voices of the decade. From the romantic Aawara Bhawre and the spirited Badal Pe Paon Hai to the playful Jaanam Samjha Karo and the street-smart Apun Bola from Josh, Sardesai’s songs became instantly recognisable.

“It’s not like anyone who listens to Bollywood hasn’t heard these songs,” she says with quiet pride. “Even children know them. And even today, people sing and love them. God gave me those songs to sing.”

Delhi holds a special place in her memories. Coca-Cola organised her shows in malls and public spaces, which drew massive crowds. “Their top people told me, ‘You got the most response among all singers.’ They even advertised me as the ‘queen of songs.’ That love from Delhi is something I can never forget.”

Her music continues to find new audiences. Recently, a Bhojpuri remix of her song Main Kudiyan Jaani attracted nearly 78 lakh views in a month.

A singer with a conscience

Sardesai’s career is also defined by what she rejected. She refused to lend her voice to songs that clashed with her values. “When I was in the industry, I got offers to sing double-meaning songs. I refused. No one can sell or buy Hema. I have followed the rules, and I have followed such paths where God says, ‘You are my daughter.’”

Her concerns extend to the way talent is nurtured today. She acknowledges that reality shows have created opportunities but warns of corruption. “Reality shows are a good thing because they bring forward many Indian artists. But I have also heard that in some shows, singers are chosen by giving money. That is very sad. Making such mistakes with real talent is a disaster. How will the true evolution of singers happen if this continues?”

Her message to the industry is clear: “Whatever you do, don’t expect anything other than the music and the voice from the singer. We are all answerable to God and karma. Don’t take that karma on yourself.”

The stage as sanctuary

For Sardesai, performing live is the truest form of connection. “In the studio, there is a kind of happiness. But on stage, the love of the audience that comes back to you — there is a completion in it. I have even said to God, ‘While singing, take me from this world.’”

She is mindful, however, of how technology is reshaping music. “With AI today, anyone can become a singer, even if they are not one, because voices are tuned in the studio. But if the song gives people awareness or joy, then I have no objection. Still, I feel evolution happens only when the art is pure.”

Gratitude and grace

Looking back, Sardesai attributes her journey to divine grace rather than personal ambition. “I feel my career is made divine. Everything was gifted to me. And I also have a relationship with Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji — his blessings have carried my life forward.”

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Her greatest pride is never compromising on her beliefs. “I always believed music is not about fame but about touching hearts. If my songs have done that, then I have achieved everything.”

She remains deeply grateful to her listeners. “God bless everybody. For the love people have given me — from Bombay to Goa, from Delhi to the world — I am thankful from the bottom of my heart. And I promise, if there is any issue for my people, I will fight for them too. That is also part of my song.”

A philosophy in performance

Her recent words at a festival captured her guiding spirit. “I am very happy that I am a very integral part of this festival,” she told the audience. She explained that her presence was not about glamour but about the intent behind it. Mukesh Gupta of Rafi’s Arts, who organised the event, impressed her with his warmth. “When he called, I felt — where there is love, there is God. And if good personalities are behind something, I had to be here.”

For Sardesai, cinema itself is a medium of meaning. “Cinema is a means to spread awareness to people. If there is good cinema where there is a message, advice, or a way of life that people can understand, then such cinema must be encouraged. And film festivals like this should continue.”