Singer Sona Mohapatra recently collaborated with “next-generation composer” Vishal Mishra for her comeback song in the upcoming Saand Ki Aankh. And recounting the “best compliment” she received from Vishal, Sona says, “He said, ‘Sona, you act and bring out so much verve, personality and character in a song, just like Kishore Da used to’. Kishore Kumar has been my biggest inspiration as an artist, and nothing could’ve made me happier!”

Ask Sona what took her five years to sing another Bollywood song, and she quips, “I don’t hanker after Bollywood songs because I’m first and foremost an Indian singer, and then a Bollywood singer. So while Bollywood is good for the resume, rock, folk, pop, ghazal, bhajans, thumri and sufi are good for the soul.

That Sona had a ball recording the song is evident from the way she describes working on it. “It’s a lovely up-tempo anthem about wanting to bring glory to your people with your deeds.

The 43-year-old dedicates the latest song to all women athletes to “celebrate their success”. She says, “We don’t have an anthem for the excellence of our female athletes like Mary Kom, Dutee Chand, Hima Das, Vinesh Phogat, Dipa Karmakar, and PV Sindhu, to name but a few. Women in India have been at the forefront of sporting achievements in the last few years.

The singer, however, also adds, “I do appreciate the appeal that Bollywood has. And when a song as catchy and meaningful as this comes my way, I’m grateful.”