Sona Mohapatra is known for voicing her opinion on social issues. In recent times, the singer has raised her voice against the gender pay-gap in the music industry. She was also one of the first to come out in support of #Me Too movement in India. Mohapatra has now shared a reprised version of a popular romantic song, 'Zaalima' from the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Raees (2017). The love ballad was originally sung by Arijit Singh and Harshdeep Kaur.
But Mohapatra's reprised version is nothing like the original song. The two-minute-40-second video sees Mohapatra in a quirky avatar with weird animation that instantly draws you in. The singer, who believes that the Hindi film industry has sidelined female singers, is using her craft to highlight the issue.
"In these times, you realize that it’s mostly musicians who have the craft and talent to deliver without too many resources or people helping them. My DIY video should be taken with a pinch of salt, although any good comedy does come from a truthful place. Our film music has completely sidelined the strong, solo female voice in the last decade and it’s time for all of us to notice,” she said.
Talking about the state of musicians and the impact of COVID-19 on musicians, the singer said, "Musicians have been hit the hardest in recent times. There are no residuals or royalties for creators here, unlike the West. And unless we step out to play concerts on stage, we don’t make money. It’s only sweat labour in India."
"The lockdown and post-COVID era will hit musicians even harder with no stages to play in and the economy focusing on essentials. In these grim times, most artistes in my community have been setting aside their own emotional state and performing online to spread joy and love. And I am so proud of all of them," she added.
Watch both songs below.