#KetchupTalks: "Music is a part of me without which I cannot physically live," says singer-songwriter Sukriti Bhardwaj

The powerful vocals of “Who Rules the World” in The Royals have us hooked, so we sat down with Sukriti Bhardwaj, the voice behind the anthem to delve into the track and her journey as a singer-songwriter.

If you’ve watched The Royals, you couldn't have missed that one particular voice that is deep and commanding, echoing the catchy line, “la la la la, who rules the world” playing in the background during every banger moment of the show. It’s a voice that doesn't just accompany the drama; it elevates it, marching confidently to high-energy beats and infusing the scenes with a rich aesthetic intensity. But even if you haven’t tuned into the show yet, you’ve likely come across the track online. It’s the kind of song that gives you goosebumps not just for its vibe, but for how seamelessly it fuses a English-Hindi rap and melody into a bold anthem for a modern fairytale that blends royalty with a sharp contemporary edge. But whose the voice behind that anthem? It's Sukriti Bhardwaj, a singer-songwriter for whom this isn’t her first rodeo. We've heard her before in Be Happy, where she lent her voice to Nora Fatehi’s Sultana and other tracks from the film writing and singing them all.

If you hear Sukriti’s voice, it stands out for its textured depth and lyrical finesse, seamelessly weaving together classical undertones with a modern sensibility, a blend that feels both timeless and fresh. In this interview, Sukriti opens up about her creative process, the experience of crafting music for The Royals and Be Happy, the challenges she’s faced, and how she’s finding her voice both literally and artistically in the evolving world of music.

Also Read: #BehindTheLens: In conversation with RUUH and JOH about The Royals and more!

Here's what she had to say! 

What is your earliest music memory that made you fall in love with it, and what led you to becoming a singer-songwriter?

I have been into music for as long as I can remember. There was no particular moment, but I definitely remember my younger self trying to repeat the murkis and vocal dynamics I would hear singers sing. I always wanted to be a singer, but I was scared it would not be practical. I have a thicker texture than your conventional female voices. At least when I was a kid, “thin” voices were the norm. I was afraid I couldn’t sing as high as the female singers I grew up listening to did.

As I grew older, I understood that music is a part of me, without which I cannot physically live. So I decided to be a singer-songwriter. I thought I would make songs that would suit my voice. That was the motivation, but the funny thing is that, now, I can sing decently high and I also make songs that challenge anyone’s vocal range. I learned that music is not only about being able to sing a certain way or play something complex, it is also about expressing yourself.

When you're making music, writing and singing, what's your usual approach? Do you follow a certain process?

When I write and compose my originals, lyrics and melody usually go hand in hand. I usually compose while improvising chord combinations and seeing what works. Sometimes the words drive the melody, and other times the opposite happens. But after working in the industry for a while, I have made myself more and more flexible. I can write lyrics for a pre-composed melody, or have somebody compose a melody to lyrics I have already written. I love to compose while on the go. Ideas usually strike me when I am riding my scooty or driving around town. I often stop at the side of the road to record a voice memo on my phone. If it is for a commercial project, I just look at references and improvise. To sum up, I have tried many processes to make songs. The bottom line is that if your ideas are clear, you can make a great song!

You did 'Who Rules the World' for The Royals. How does it feel when it played the entire time as a background score, and what was it like putting together writing and singing this entire piece that has contemporary beats and rap?

Oh, it was so exciting! I watched it the moment it was out! Each time it would play, I would get all jumpy and excited. The visuals in this entire series are such a treat, especially the intro sequence where the song plays. We had a rough idea about the story, and the producers Pritish Nandy and my music composer Harsh Upadhyay explained what they needed. We ended up delivering something they could use in multiple scenarios because the lyrics were written as per the plot and the power-play among the protagonists. The first line of the song -“My baby baby don’t you cry, come to mama” - was, I feel, so cool, and till the end, that is what stuck and remained unchanged. The rap writing experience was very much fun, but this is not the first time I've done it. I did that for Sultana or Nora Fatehi in Be Happy as well. I think having that experience gave me faith and confidence that I can knock it out of the park. The recording experience of Who Rules The World was also fun. We played with so many vocal textures. I was really playing to my strengths, and that was very fulfilling and well accepted by the listeners.

You also wrote and sang five songs for Be Happy. What was it like writing lyrics and singing for a film that had children and dancing involved, especially considering how heavily the film relies on music to tell its story?

Be Happy is my debut film work and I am immensely proud of what we have created. The entire Be Happy album is a mixed bag because, as Indian cinema goes, we use music extensively in pivotal points of our stories. Since this film is a roller coaster ride, the songs were quite different from each other. It was a learning and exhilarating experience to tap into my childish, emotional, confident and also my spiritual side to write and sing well. I was on a roller coaster too!

What’s the most exciting and most challenging part of being a singer-songwriter these days?

As an artist, of course the validation I get from fans, friends, and family is very exciting. The feeling of being on stage and connecting with so many people really changes you and makes you feel very grateful for your talent and hard work. I think the “business” part of the music business is what makes it really challenging. It is hard to be creative and business-minded at the same time for many artists. But it is a really important aspect of being in this line of work.

Your voice has a unique texture and heavy weight. Was it ever a hindrance in your music journey, or was it something that gave birth to a unique form of music that you sing?

It used to be a hindrance, or so I thought. I think what I needed was a good vocal teacher, and when I grew up, I found some great teachers who taught me how to sing in different textures, how to expand my range, and how to use my voice in a way that sounds good. All voices are unique, and with the correct training and learning to emote well with your voice, it can make it even better. I think my music has a lot of international influence because I have spent more time listening to English songs. My texture did not sound too weird to me when I heard some great voices from the West. I understood that I have a different voice, and I just need to use it well.

If you could collaborate with a musician from another era or culture, who would it be and why?

Nina Simone. I am in love with her voice and it is just fascinating how she used to play with melodies. I would have loved to improvise with her, talk to her, and just soak in all her brilliance.

In a time when algorithms shape taste, how do you stay honest to your own sound? What advice would you give to aspiring young singer-songwriters out there?

I do not think it comes easy to me to lose my own sound. Even when I try to go with the algorithm’s way, I end up adding my own element to whatever I create. I think it has something to do with the way I was brought up. I do not second-guess myself, and I trust my own ideas. All thanks to my Mamma and Papa. I would say the same to aspiring young singer-songwriters - trust yourself, algo or no algo!

Which song is your favorite from Sukriti's playlist? Let us know in the comments below!

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