Mumbai:
She took the audience by surprise appearing in Saat Khoon Maaf and singer Usha Uthup says sheis looking forward to some meaty roles in Bollywood now.
The 64-year-old singer played a loyal help to Priyanka Chopra's character in the film directed by Vishal Bhardwaj.
She even lent her voice to the hit song Darling in the film.
"I am waiting for good roles, looking for something meaty. In the meantime I have done a bit of acting in Keralaand Bengal. I hope I get some offers in Bollywood, another good role like I did in Saat Khoon Maaf', Usha said.
She is nominated in the best playback singer category alongwith Rekha Bhardwaj for the track Darling at theupcoming IIFA awards. The song has already got her a Filmfare award this year.
"I hope I win the IIFA award too," said Usha.
Besides being nominated, the singer is going to perform at the IIFA Rocks in Singapore on June 8, the night before theawards ceremony. She will be performing in collaboration with Leslie Lewis and Hariharan to mark 100 years of Indian Cinema.
"The combination of me, Hariharan and Leslie Lewis is amazing. Who would imagine the three of us teaming up? Ourperformance is a tribute to 100 years of Indian Cinema. It's been a real tough call shortlisting songs from so many decadesand from among hundreds of hit tracks," she said.
This is the first time she would be collaborating professionally with Lewis and Hariharan. Usha says she islooking forward to the performance as they have been friends for years.
"It is really amazing because we have all been great friends for so long. I have had various opportunities to jamwith Leslie when he used to perform at the Oberois in Mumbai. Once in a while he used to bring his guitar along and wewould jam together. He is an amazing musician. We've never done anything together professionally. This collaboration issomething I am really looking forward to," she said.
She has been enthralling listeners for over 40 years now with hit Bollywood tracks like Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Ek Do Cha Cha Cha and Ramba Ho. She recently sung for Kahaani and Don 2 besides Saat Khoon Maaf.
Usha says her singing career is the most happening right now.
"I have been working since 1968, its been over 40 years now. People ask me, 'What? You are still singing? But its not 'still', it's only now that I have reallystarted singing, now that things are really happening. It's just fantastic. I couldn't have asked for anything better.I get very excited when people are shocked by my energy and my passion for work. I know that I am quite an inspirationfor the younger generation. They work so hard and I do believe I am a source of inspiration for them as they think, 'If she can do it at that age, we can do too'," she said.
Usha says she is busy travelling and performing stage shows besides appearing in reality shows.
"I am busy with a lot of shoots, reality shows. My basic thing is the stage, I keep performing. Between travelling,trying to take a nap on the flight and working on the shows, it's just an amazing life. I couldn't ask for anything more.Life is really on a high right now," she said.
The 64-year-old singer played a loyal help to Priyanka Chopra's character in the film directed by Vishal Bhardwaj.
She even lent her voice to the hit song Darling in the film.
"I am waiting for good roles, looking for something meaty. In the meantime I have done a bit of acting in Keralaand Bengal. I hope I get some offers in Bollywood, another good role like I did in Saat Khoon Maaf', Usha said.
She is nominated in the best playback singer category alongwith Rekha Bhardwaj for the track Darling at theupcoming IIFA awards. The song has already got her a Filmfare award this year.
"I hope I win the IIFA award too," said Usha.
Besides being nominated, the singer is going to perform at the IIFA Rocks in Singapore on June 8, the night before theawards ceremony. She will be performing in collaboration with Leslie Lewis and Hariharan to mark 100 years of Indian Cinema.
"The combination of me, Hariharan and Leslie Lewis is amazing. Who would imagine the three of us teaming up? Ourperformance is a tribute to 100 years of Indian Cinema. It's been a real tough call shortlisting songs from so many decadesand from among hundreds of hit tracks," she said.
This is the first time she would be collaborating professionally with Lewis and Hariharan. Usha says she islooking forward to the performance as they have been friends for years.
"It is really amazing because we have all been great friends for so long. I have had various opportunities to jamwith Leslie when he used to perform at the Oberois in Mumbai. Once in a while he used to bring his guitar along and wewould jam together. He is an amazing musician. We've never done anything together professionally. This collaboration issomething I am really looking forward to," she said.
She has been enthralling listeners for over 40 years now with hit Bollywood tracks like Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Ek Do Cha Cha Cha and Ramba Ho. She recently sung for Kahaani and Don 2 besides Saat Khoon Maaf.
Usha says her singing career is the most happening right now.
"I have been working since 1968, its been over 40 years now. People ask me, 'What? You are still singing? But its not 'still', it's only now that I have reallystarted singing, now that things are really happening. It's just fantastic. I couldn't have asked for anything better.I get very excited when people are shocked by my energy and my passion for work. I know that I am quite an inspirationfor the younger generation. They work so hard and I do believe I am a source of inspiration for them as they think, 'If she can do it at that age, we can do too'," she said.
Usha says she is busy travelling and performing stage shows besides appearing in reality shows.
"I am busy with a lot of shoots, reality shows. My basic thing is the stage, I keep performing. Between travelling,trying to take a nap on the flight and working on the shows, it's just an amazing life. I couldn't ask for anything more.Life is really on a high right now," she said.
