A childhood dream, a groundbreaking girl band, and a voice that travelled from Delhi’s school stages to Bollywood and the South, her story is one of grit, instinct and artistic courage.
Published: November 18, 2025 9:12 AM IST
In every era, music finds a handful of voices that don’t just sing, they shape memories. Neha Bhasin belongs to that rare tribe. Long before Bollywood hits brought her fame, she was the girl who stood on school stages in Delhi, singing her heart out with a confidence that surprised even adults around her. Many believed she’d one day earn a special place in Indian music, and they weren’t wrong.
Her journey, however, didn’t begin with the glamour of film studios. It began with a childhood filled with stubborn passion, a path-breaking girl band, and years of discipline that slowly carved out a distinct artistic identity.
How did Neha’s early life shape the artist she became?
Born on 18 November 1982, Neha’s relationship with music began almost as soon as she could hold a mic. At nine, she performed Mariah Carey’s “Hero” at a contest and won—an early sign of the clarity, strength and emotion her voice carried even as a child.
School events became her playground. Teachers and classmates already knew she wasn’t like everyone else when she walked onto a stage. Later, Neha trained in classical music under maestro Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, a phase that grounded her unique tone in technique and discipline.
How did she become part of India’s first all-girls pop band?
During college, Neha auditioned for ‘Coke V Popstars’ on Channel V, one of India’s biggest music talent hunts at the time. The competition was fierce, but her voice stood out, raw, bold and confidently modern.
Neha not only made it through but ended up winning the show at just 18.
That victory created history.
It led to the formation of India’s first all-girls pop band, Viva, a cultural moment that arrived when India’s pop scene was at its peak. From television to radio, Viva became a youth sensation, representing a generation eager for new icons, new sounds and a new definition of girl power.
What happened after Viva disbanded?
The band eventually broke up, but Neha walked out with something priceless: visibility, experience, and a fan base that didn’t forget her voice.
After Viva, she shifted her focus to playback singing. This phase became the turning point of her musical journey.
Which songs made Neha a star in Bollywood and beyond?
Her breakthrough came in 2007 with ‘Kuch Khaas Hai’ from the film Fashion. The track earned her a Filmfare nomination and instantly put her among the industry’s most promising voices.
More hits followed:
Neha never restricted herself to one language. She recorded extensively in Tamil and Telugu too, delivering hits like ‘Pesugiren Pesugiren’ and ‘Adu Nuvve’, making her one of the few singers loved equally across industries.
Her versatility earned her multiple awards, including two Filmfares.
Why does her journey continue to matter?
Because Neha Bhasin is more than a voice. She’s an evolution of Indian pop, Bollywood playback, and independent music.
Her journey reminds us that reinvention is not a phase but a necessity, and passion, when paired with courage, can create a legacy that outlives trends.
- Neha Bhasin rose to fame as part of India’s first all-girls pop band, Viva.
- Her breakthrough in Bollywood came with the song ‘Kuch Khaas Hai’ from Fashion.
- She continues to be celebrated for her multilingual versatility across Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu music.
