Chinmayi

“I have been dubbing since 2006.”

“There is mental as well as physical fatigue. You have to cry, scream, keep on repeating the same dialogue till you get it right.”

“To be honest, until I started dubbing, I didn't realize the amount of work of a dubbing artiste puts in. Especially the artistes that dub for villains. They really stretch their vocal cords to a different dimension.”

“The MGR Sivaji awards are organised by the PRO stalwarts in the industry whom I actually respect.”

“I've been passionate about singing for as long as I can recall.”

“Music inspires me, and I'm grateful that I've been able to make a career out of something that I'm so connected to.”

“I come from a very strenuous, strict, disciplined classical music background. My grandfather, noted Carnatic classical exponent Dr. Sripada Pinakapani, was a Padma Bhushan recipient.”

“It was one of the best experiences in my life to work with Director Prem.”

“I agree that when you sing for Bollywood, the reach is bigger. But I don't want to concentrate on any industry in particular.”

“A song like 'Kilimanjaro,' which is such a fun, entertaining track... Singing the song was an amazing experience.”

“It is difficult to have the guts to speak up about any kind of sexual assault.”

“Few years ago when I visited a palliative care centre in Chennai for the first time, it completely moved me. It's an emotionally draining experience. I saw and met patients who were abandoned by their families, and there is complete sense of hopelessness. Ever since, I have been a supporter for the need for funding and awareness of palliative care.”

“I got recognised for my work in 'Guru' as 'Tere Bina' became extremely popular, but very few people know that I have sung major lyrical portions of the song 'Maiyya' as well.”

“There's a marked difference between a sexual predator, coercion tactics, and a man hitting on someone with the intention dating/wanting to get to know a girl he likes, however awkward, unpolished it may be.”

“Of all my dubbing projects, the toughest one has been 'Eega!'”

“No singer who sings for Rahman sir would ever say they were nervous to sing for him, especially during the session.”

“Indians take great pleasure in celebrating a genius, and then go into mindless criticism once the celebrity starts doing well.”

“By the time I was 14, I had seen only three Tamil films - 'Anjali,' 'Bombay,' and 'Puthiya Mugam.' And I loved the music in the films. When I found out Rahman sir was the man behind the music, I made up my mind that I wanted to sing for him.”

“At the end of the day, I am singing the composer's creation, and I follow the instructions given to me. What I feel may be a right take may not work for the composer or his vision on how he thinks the song should sound.”

“I have won many awards for my singing, and I have sung in 8 languages.”