The beautiful and talented actress Ragini Khanna is all set to professionally embrace a new facet of her performing art personality. She has just released an unplugged version of ex-superstar uncle, Govinda’s album, Mujhse Pyaar Karte Ho. Both the original and cover have been written by her mother, Kaamini Khanna.
“I have been singing since the age of five. Here, I must thank my mom, Kamini, for making me take up music. As a child, I had sung for many TV serial title tracks and commercials. Interestingly, I was also a part of the orchestra in the original number as well. I have studied Hindustani classical vocal for 15-17 years, under Pandit Jagannath Prasad, in the Rajasthan Gharana,” says Ragini.
“It is always a pleasure to work creatively with my mom, for although both of us have different world views, she is very accommodative of any idea beneficial to the project,” she adds.
Kaminiji, who is a very well-known writer-singer in her own right, is the daughter of legendary classical singer, Late Smt. Nirmala Devi.
Asked as to why she then chose acting/hosting over singing when she first came onto the scene (Bhaskar Bharati, Sasural Genda Phool and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Season 5), she says, “To be honest, I chose what I got. Being a performer, I grabbed the opportunity to croon when it came now, but yes, after proper riyaaz, which had taken a back seat due to other preoccupations”.
Looking ahead, she is open for original compositions as well. “I am not really thinking in terms of how much moolah. I have the need to do good work. You will not imagine the amount of free work I have done, to satisfy the artist within.”
Here, Ragini adds that besides singing, she will continue to act as well. “I am looking for interesting work on the small screen and web as well.”
Point out that her last film, Gurgaon, tanked at the Box Office, and she says, “I am very happy with the critical appreciation that the film got (6.6/10 on IMDB). Years down the road, when people will pick up a DVD, they will choose a film which has quality and not just BO numbers. Didn’t films like Andaaz Apna Apna and Agneepath, which performed lukewarm on release, later go on to become cult films? Last but not the least, a film’s commercial success or otherwise is dependent on other factors such as promotions, etc.”
Way to go, Ragini!!
