'I gave up Bollywood. I would not compromise...': Female singer who worked with AR Rahman opens up on quitting at peak of her career

At the height of her career, Hemaa Sardesai was everywhere — from chart-topping hits like Awaara Bhanware and Ishq Sona to iconic tracks like Badal Pe Paon Hai from Chak De! India. Yet, despite this massive success and working with legends like AR Rahman, she chose to step away from Bollywood. Her decision shocked fans, but it was rooted in an unwavering commitment to her principles and values.

Recently, in an Instagram post by Hemant Dalvi, where he talked about her versatility as a singer, Hemaa thanked him for the post and recalled a time when female playback singers were few in number, just seven or eight, and every studio session tested her resolve. Refusing to compromise her virtues, she often walked out of recordings, earning both admiration and resistance. Her breakthrough came with AR Rahman’s Awaara Bhanware, which dominated the charts for over 14 weeks. Even so, the road ahead remained challenging.

Belting out hits

Many music directors kept her at the periphery because of her strict no-compromise stance. However, when film directors or producers insisted on her voice, she was called straight to the studio, learning and rendering songs in minutes under immense pressure. She shared that with God’s support, those sessions often turned into major hits, and she went on to record over 100 songs, each loved widely by audiences.


She further added that as all-India singing contests began producing a new wave of talent, the industry quickly expanded from a handful of female singers to more than 50. After Badal Pe Paon Hai, Hemaa learned that some rising singers were willing to compromise their values to compete, a reality she could not accept. Already recognised as an ambassador for the girl child, she found it impossible to watch the erosion of the principles she held dear.

Quitting Bollywood, finding fame in Hollywood

Choosing integrity over fame, Hemaa made one of the toughest career decisions of her life and left Bollywood. Yet, her journey didn’t stop there. She found doors opening internationally, including in Hollywood, where her talent and perseverance were met with new opportunities.

Hemaa became the first Indian singer to release an American single, Power Of Love, produced and published in Hollywood by Tony Mercedes, the multiple Grammy-winning mogul behind Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You, she claimed. The single was recorded at the Los Angeles studio where the late Michael Jackson once worked, with Grammy-winning producer Jared Lee Gossalin, known for Shrek, mixing the track. She commented that The release in New York drew high praise from Tony Mercedes, who likened her voice to Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, calling it powerful, commanding, and deeply moving. For Hema, this collaboration was a “God-graced” recognition of her talent and her unwavering commitment to values.

Hemaa Sardesai's international accolades

Hemaa’s international accolades extend beyond Hollywood. She is the only Indian singer to win the Grand Prix at the International Pop Song Festival in Germany, performed at the International UNICEF Concert in Europe, and became only the second female singer, after Lata Mangeshkar, to perform at the 50th-year celebrations of India’s independence. These achievements underscore how her dedication to art and principles allowed her to break barriers, proving that true talent and integrity know no boundaries.

Even years after leaving Bollywood, her songs remain timeless. Tracks like Badal Pe Paon Hai continue to be celebrated, often in connection with India’s women’s cricket team, a reminder that the impact of artistry rooted in conviction never fades.