Born in India and brought up in the United Kingdom, Hard Kaur is making waves in Bollywood. Her foot-tapping numbers, Ek Glassy Do Glassy and Move your body from Johnny Gaddaar, have become a rage. And she's only just started. Hard Kaur's songs in Ugly Aur Pagli and Singh Is Kinng are becoming chartbusters already.
She talks to Nithya Ramani about herself, and her movies, and also gives us a taste of her music.
How did you enter the music industry?
I was a dancer, originally. When we moved to UK from India in 1991, I did not even know how to speak good English. So I was bullied a lot in school. Being a dancer, I was into music as well. I grew up with music like ghazals, qawwalis and Bollywood music. All I knew about Western music was Michael Jackson and Madonna.
But I couldn't understand rap. Since no Indian woman has ever rapped before, I wanted to be the first. Plus, I am a Punjabi and have this deep voice, which suits rap very well.
What were your parents' reaction?
In India, people are more modern. They push you and motivate you to do what you like. Indians in England are still old-fashioned. They do not like girls in their family to go dancing and singing. They want them to pursue studies only. I never had an interest in studies; I always wanted to be in the entertainment business.
Being a single mother [my father passed away when I was five years old], she has always been independent, and has brought me up to be the same. I would not have reached where I am now, if it weren't for her.
I don't care for society. They talk about only those who are successful. When I started, nobody encouraged me. Now, people are proud to call me their friend.
Video: Sanjay Sawant
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