A talented singer’s big break came with a catchy song from a blockbuster film, catapulting her to fame. and later solidified her position as a leading playback singer.
Published: November 3, 2025 6:23 PM IST
Before she became a household name, a young singer was just another hopeful voice in the vast world of Bollywood. Her big break came when she lent her voice to a lively, high-energy song for the blockbuster film Race, featuring Katrina Kaif. The track quickly became a sensation, and her voice was praised for its unique charm and energy. Overnight, she went from being relatively unknown to a singer everyone wanted to hear and know about. This was the moment that set the stage for a remarkable career in the Indian music industry.
Which singer is this?
The singer in question is Monali Thakur, who is currently celebrating her 40th birthday in the presence of her family and friends. Born into a musically inclined family, Monali was trained in classical music from a young age. This early training laid the foundation for her versatile singing skills. Monali also gained recognition when she participated in Indian Idol, which further honed her performance abilities and gave her exposure to a national audience. In addition, she took formal lessons from acclaimed music teachers who helped refine her voice and technique, preparing her for the demanding world of playback singing.
The breakthrough of Monali Thakur
It became her biggest breakthrough when the opportunity to sing “Zara Zara Touch Me” for Race came, she gave it her all, ensuring that her rendition matched both the energy of the film and the on-screen charisma of Katrina Kaif. That one song changed everything, not just in terms of popularity, but also in opening doors to more big projects. It was later, with the soulful track “Moh Moh Ke Dhaage” from Dum Laga Ke Haisha, that she achieved another milestone. For the unversed, when Monali Thakur got to know about winning the prestigious National Award for this song, she was at the airport receiving the news. While it was indeed a big moment for her, finding out about such an honour in the middle of an airport made it quite a unique experience to process.
More about Monali Thakur
Over the years, she has delivered numerous memorable tracks that span different genres and moods. Songs like “Cham Cham” and “Sawaar Loon” showcased her ability to bring both sensuality and emotion to the screen. Each performance reflected her dedication and training, and her growing fan base admired not just her talent but also her humility and hard work.
Story Highlights
Monali Thakur’s big break came with the song “Zara Zara Touch Me” from the film Race, featuring Katrina Kaif.
Monali won the National Award for Best Female Playback Singer for “Moh Moh Ke Dhaage” from Dum Laga Ke Haisha.
Monali has delivered numerous memorable tracks that span different genres and moods, showcasing her versatility and talent.
Monali was trained in classical music from a young age and further honed her skills by participating in Indian Idol and taking formal lessons.
Monali Thakur’s journey from a hopeful voice to a National Award-winning singer is truly inspiring.
