How a Girl from Faridabad Became a Playback Legend

Born in Faridabad, Richa Sharma first performed at age eight on a jagrate, earning 11 rupees for her bhajan. Trained by her father and later at a music academy, she diversified into ghazals, Punjabi beats, and Rajasthani folk. A pivotal move to Mumbai led to a breakthrough when a live bhajan impressed film music directors, resulting in her 1996 debut with "Salma Pe Dil Aa Gaya." Over the next two decades she voiced hits like "Chhalka‑Chhalka Re," "Kal Ho Naa Ho," and the blockbuster "Billo Rani" from "Gol." She consistently returned to spiritual music, delivering extended Sufi compositions, notably the 2006 farewell song for Babool, and received honors including the 2003 Best Female Playback Singer award and a 2011 G (Cine) Award.