In an industry, where family generations and nepotism seems the norm, there is a trio of brother-sisters too who have been creating waves in the Indian music industry without any of them.
Sonu Kakkar, Tony Kakkar and the most charismatic of the three, Neha Kakkar seem to know exactly what it takes the center stage. Ironically, they are not trained or educated in music, in a formal sort of way. They were born with gifted voices and honed the skills with sheer hard-work and resilience. One after the other, they all have been able to create their distinct marks with their unique styles and a similar love for good music.
SONU KAKKAR: THE ELDEST ENCHANTRESS
Surprisingly, this family did not have a musical legacy. It was Sonu Kakkar, the eldest among the three, who entered the music industry initially. The younger siblings followed. Their father believed in their talents and thus, despite all the family criticism, they took a flight to Delhi (from Rishikesh) for better work opportunities. The Kakkar sisters sang in Hawans and Jagratas (Hindu gatherings to offer prayers) in Delhi for practice as well as the earned money.
Sonu Kakkar entered the industry in 2004 and rest, as they say, is history. Her claim to fame has been the hit number, ‘Baabuji Zara Dheere Chalo’ by Sandeep Chowta. Her voice seemed to have a folk-music touch with an edge that very few singers can boast of. Her distinct yet soulful voice had managed to pick the right notes behind ‘London Thumakda’ in Queen as well.
NEHA KAKKAR: BIRTH OF A NIGHTINGALE
Neha Kakkar was inspired by her elder sister and began singing at the age of 4 years. She entered the industry as a contestant in Indian Idol 2. She did not win the show as a contestant, but Neha Kakkar did not give up even after not being enlisted in the top 8. She went on to create good music, be it on social media or personal albums. Her sheer hard work and determination helped her launch her first solo album with ‘Meet Brothers’ and thereafter, there was no looking back.
All the dance, peppy numbers and slowly the soulful ones too started falling on her way. Her big break came with the ‘Second Hand Jawani song’ in the movie ‘Cocktail’ and then the ‘Sunny Sunny’ song with Honey Singh in the movie ‘Yaarian’.
PASSION TO PURPOSE TO PROFESSION
Neha Kakkar is a name to reckon with in the industry today. She has teamed up with all big names in the industry already. Be it Guru Randhawa, Arijit Singh, Honey Singh or Badshah, her voice and singing techniques have found appreciation with one and all. She also did an online anthem on Shahrukh Khan, her all-time favorite that ended up garnering millions of views in a very short span of time without any formal publicity.
There is no scope for passion, without the correct direction. The girl had the talent as well as the correct vision. As of now, she is the ‘female rockstar’ of the Indian Music Industry. She is even known as the ‘Indian Shakira’.
ROLLING WITH REALITY TV
Her youth, freshness, and quirkiness are visible in all her endeavors. Neha Kakkar has been an active part of the reality TV. She did a stint with Kapil Sharma and Ali Sagar in Comedy circus as well. She has now gone on to judge a series of singing reality shows like Sare Gama Little Champs, amongst others and the 10th Season of Indian Idol, where she herself started in the 2nd season. This is undoubtedly a mean task very few have the grit to achieve.
THE INDIAN SHAKIRA
Some people have the looks while some have the voice, some have the personality, and some have the likeability. Neha Kakkar has it all. She is also a selfie-queen with regular posts on her social media accounts with her beautiful pictures. Her concerts are immensely popular.
Though eminently successful, Neha Kakkar comes across as a normal, passionate and an innocent girl next door with the freshness of youth. She loves to stay connected with her fans as well, by going live and posting solo numbers on her social media handles. In today’s times, mostly each frontline movie feature songs sung by Neha Kakkar. As a result, in her own words, she receives ‘one or two new interesting offers on a daily basis’. At a mere age of 31 years, this genuine singer has already achieved what very few people are able to in their whole lives.
TONY KAKKAR: CHASING DREAMS
Tony Kakkar is the youngest of the lot. After two successful sisters as singers, Tony Kakkar also set his heart in music. He has been creating many impressionable solos already, but his big break came with the ‘Coca Cola Song’ in the movie ‘Lukka Chuppi.’ He is a music composer as well and has been volunteering for higher artist rights on music. His claim to fame composition has been the ‘Mile Ho Tum Humse’ song, again sung by Neha Kakkar. It went on to cross 776 million views on Youtube, becoming the highest viewed Hindi song ever.
TOGETHER THEY ARE A TEAM
Despite being in the same industry, these siblings do not compete with each other. They rather support each other and love to team up for good numbers. They are often spotted posting pictures and updates about their outings on their combined Instagram handle – ‘the Kakkar’s.’ Without a mentor or a family name; it’s the ‘family’, they have stuck to. Their evolution and growth itself is an inspiration for millions of budding singers. They are living proof that people with great passion can make the impossible happen.
