EXCLUSIVE: Aastha Gill on her single ‘Paapi’, “I have been working on it for two years”; also reveals how Salman Khan provided her with ‘ghar ka khana’ in Hong Kong

Singer Aastha Gill, known for her chartbusters like ‘Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai’ and ‘DJ Wale Babu’ among others, has come up with her latest single called ‘Paapi’. The song is a dance number which is also performed by Aastha in the music video directed by Piyush-Shazia. It is composed by Puri while Prateeksha Shrivastava, Aastha and Charan have come up with the lyrics.

In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama, Aastha spoke about the journey of the song, her bond with Badshah and Salman Khan and why she is a proud 1990s child.

How would you describe ‘Paapi’ and how was your experience of bringing this song to life?

Honestly, I have been working on the song for the past two years. In between, we had left it as we weren’t able to crack the antara. But recently, I took up the song again. I sat with the co-writer of the song Prateeksha. We were able to crack it in one session itself. She came up with this beautiful composition. I wrote something; she wrote something. And when it was made, I was like, “Mil gaya! Yehi karna hai mujhe abhi!”. Until I get a kick, I can’t decide whether I want to release a song. Puri has done a great job in producing the song. He was the same person who produced ‘Naagin’. When this one was made, I knew it would be a hit. Then everyone at Warner (Music) loved it and I knew this was a big one.

Any reason why you zeroed in on the word ‘Paapi’?

When Puri made me hear the beat two years ago, I instantly thought about the Spanish ‘Papi’. But I felt this won’t make any sense. However, I thought we can do this in Hindi as well. That’s how the idea came that Hindi ‘Paapi’ can be a very good hook.

The music video of the song seems to be shot lavishly with quite a few costume changes

It was challenging. It was an 18-hour straight shoot. There were three changes (of costumes) back-to-back. For 18 hours, we hadn’t slept or eaten. During my shoots, I don’t eat anything heavy. So, I used to munch something in between, like an apple. But the energy was so good. Piyush and Shazia did a beautiful job. Because they had already done their homework for the video, there were no issues during the shoot as they knew what they wanted from me. I knew what I had to do in front of the camera. Everything went on so well that the 18 hours just flowed.

Singers who can dance and perform, like you do, seem to have more advantage over others

It’s definitely an advantage. It’s like a package, which sells more. If you are a complete package of everything, it’s easier for you to get accepted by people.

Badshah has been your mentor. How important has he been in your life?

Very important! Even before I thought that I can do it, Badshah bhai thought. He gave me this vision saying yeh tu kar sakti hai. He gave me that strength; that’s why I am here today. He gave me the right platform. I did so many shows with him that now there is no fear of the stage. While supporting each other, we have also seen challenges. We have also done shows where there were no people in front of us. So, to handle that kind of stage also we learnt by encouraging each other. I learnt a lot from Badshah bhai, like how to engage the audience.

Your first hit song ‘Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai’ was also with Badshah. How much did you expect this song to become a rage?

To tell you the truth, I was not even aware that I was recording this song for Bollywood. After I recorded the song, I realized that Disney is coming up with their first film in Bollywood, Khoobsurat (2014) in which this song will be used. Badshah bhai told this to me and the next thing is Rhea Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor walking in. I was stunned. I was like, “Yeh kya ho raha hai?” For me, it was very new. I was not ready for that. But that song became a rage. Even today, the value of that song is such that whenever I go through some ups and downs, I tell myself, “Arre abhi toh party shuru hui hai, chill kar” (laughs).

You were a part of Salman Khan’s Da-Bangg tour six months back in December 2024. How was it being on an entertainment tour with him?

I had also been on the Da-Bangg tour 4-5 years back. But at that time, I had gone as a female singer in Badshah bhai’s team. At that time, I met Salman sir. After that, I had gone to Bigg Boss for some promotion. So, he knew me from before. This time I met again. He meets you with so much love. When we were doing the Da-Bangg show in Hong Kong, he made us sit on the large table in his suite and gave us ghar ka khana to eat. He is a very family person. I also felt that vibe because I am also a very family person. He likes to keep everyone together. This time we met for a short span because he had tight security. But it was very good. He praised my performance.

This was like a big transition for me. Earlier, I went as a background singer with Badshah bhai. Now, it was my own stage. So, I was very happy. I was very emotional that day.

You are known for dance numbers. Have you ever thought of moving away from that image, at least as an experiment?

I have surely thought of that. I will probably do it in an EP (Extended Play). I am already working in an EP which will be in a different vibe. But I am a party, dance and energetic person. So, whenever I work on such songs, I put my 80 percent in that song. I feel that’s why people connect so well with all these songs. That’s why I like to work on dance numbers. That is my personality also. I also have another side, which I keep concealed. I don’t like crying in front of anyone. You will never see me cry. As that saying goes about crying in rains… (laughs). Jokes part, I will let people see the other side of me in the EP I am doing.

You have done Indi pop as well as movie songs. Do you experience any difference while working for both?

There is a lot of difference. My career actually was started because of Indi pop. I think from 2012-2013, the era of Indi pop returned. And my journey started from 2014. So, I think I was also a part of bringing it back. I feel lucky and blessed to be able to do that. I know how much our audience loves Indi pop. In the 1990s, there was a TV show where you can call them and ask them to play a song you wish to listen to. I used to do that and used to listen to Indi pop songs throughout the day. It wasn’t easy at that time to listen to songs; like you just go on the internet and listen. Now, a lot of people must be searching my name and listening to my songs. Thinking about this makes me feel very good.

Who was your favourite Indi pop artiste during those days?

Alisha Chinai because I used to love her voice and videos; she was a package. There was this phase where Sonu Nigam ji also did some lovely songs in Indi pop. ‘Tu… Kab Yeh Jaanegi’ used to be my favourite song. There was this VIVA band. Me and three other friends used to perform like VIVA band back then (laughs) in a room. I have lived that era to the max. I have an emotional connect with the 1990s.

Also Read: Singer Aastha Gill shines in glamorous gold ensemble at her Cannes debut

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