Celina Sharma Exclusive: What happens when contemporary pop meets timeless artistry? New-age popstar Celina Sharma has teamed up with music legend Sonu Nigam for their unique single, Centre Of Peace-an intimate and emotionally resonant track about finding calm amid life’s uncertainties. And honestly, it is exactly the kind of message we could use in our everyday lives, isn’t it?
Exploring themes of healing, self-discovery and inner strength, the song was released yesterday. In an exclusive interview with Mimtaz from Filmibeat, the 24-year-old singer opened up about her collaboration with Sonu Nigam. Calling herself a “fan-girl,” Sharma praised the legendary singer’s humility and shared her thoughts on healing and what finding her own “centre of peace” truly means to her.
Here are the excerpts from the interview:
1) You’ve had TikTok hits, collaborations and now a song with Sonu Nigam. And You’re just 24! What’s one career milestone that still feels completely surreal?
I think the Sonu Nigam song definitely feels surreal. He’s a legend that I grew up listening to. I also got to open up for Ella Mai at an arena in Cape Town earlier this year with a full live band and that was incredible. I’ve had a lot of amazing moments over the last eight years, but I feel like the best is yet to come.
2) ‘Centre of Peace’ is your most introspective and emotionally vulnerable work yet. Was there a particular phase in your own life that taught you the importance of emotional healing?
I think it was early last year that I was reflecting on my life and my journey and realised that I want to be an authentic artist. Music is my form of emotional healing and I wasn’t using it as an outlet until now. I am finally making music where I am comfortable talking about tough topics that I have not been comfortable talking about up until now.
3) The single talks about healing and finding inner calm. What is your actual centre of peace?
For me, my centre of peace is definitely god but I also find peace in my family, my friends and my music.
4) When you go through difficult or emotionally overwhelming periods, what helps you find your way back to yourself?
This is something that has changed a lot in recent times. I used to bottle a lot of things up and I don’t think that was a particularly healthy habit. Now I’ve learnt to express myself through my music and this is my way back to myself.
5) What was the most “fan-girl” moment you had while working with him?
I’ve been fan-girling throughout. It is truly an honour and a privilege to work with such an iconic artist and I don’t take such opportunities for granted at all. We are doing something very special together this weekend. I’m not sure if it will be before this article is published or not but I think when it happens, that will be my biggest ‘pinch me’ moment.
6) Did Sonu Nigam give you any advice during the making of the song that you think you’ll carry throughout your career?
He’s been so sweet and supportive. Even now, every time I text him to show gratitude, he responds back with so much kindness and grace. I wouldn’t say there is one particular piece of advice, but I’ve learnt so much about how to carry yourself as an artist from Sonu ji. He’s had a career that’s spanned decades and he still does not have an ego and treats my team and me so well.
7) What would you say to someone listening to ‘Centre of Peace’ who is currently going through a difficult chapter and doesn’t know how to begin healing?
Please really listen to the words, but equally importantly please listen to the music. Every instrument choice and every musical decision in this record is very intentional. We re-made this song like 15 times over the course of 18 months to get it right. I hope you can feel our emotion and pain in the record.
8) Is there an Indian artist you would love to collaborate with next?
I want to continue exploring India from a musical standpoint. I love working with Indian artists but I am also trying to work on how I perform in Hindi. On Centre of Peace, you can hear me singing in Hindi. In fairness, Sonu Nigam is one of the biggest legends, so I don’t think I can really top that. I think my next Indian collaboration will be an entirely musical decision, even if they are not necessarily popular.
