MUMBAI: Versatile would be an apt way to describe 'Manmarziyan' singer Shilpa Rao. Right from crooning peppy numbers like 'Saaiyan Re' from ‘Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love and ‘Ishq Shaavan’ from 'Jab Taak Hai Jaan' to romantic tracks like ‘Meherbaan’ from ‘Bang Bang’, the girl from Jharkhand has collaborated with almost every A-list composer in the music industry. She is also one of those singers whose voice suits most actresses on screen. Currently, apart from her film projects, she is working on a single which she plans to release this year.

“The year 2015 is something that I am really looking forward to. I have a few projects like Danis Tanovic’s ‘Tiger’, and also I am planning to release my single this year,” said Rao. She recently recorded a song ‘Le Chal Mujh’ for the film ‘NH 10’. The music is composed by Bann Chakraborty and the lyrics are penned by Abhiruchi Chand and Bann Chakraborty. Talking about her experience of working with Bann Chakraborty, she said, “It was extremely good working with him. He is someone who is willing to take suggestions and will allow you to improvise the song in a way an artiste wishes to.”

The brief given to her was simple, keeping in mind the subject. “The song was romantic and yet intense. It talks about the relationship of a couple wherein the girl asks her better half to take her away from the situation that they are in,” explained Rao.

She admitted that having creative freedom is something that is important to her. “As an artiste, there are times when you listen to the lyrics of a song, and you have your inputs. If you are given the freedom to add elements to the song, it is great. As an artiste I feel it is important to keep on upgrading yourself, and you cannot have a particular style,” she further explained. This is one of the prime reasons she shares a great rapport with music composer-duo Vishal Shekhar and Pritam.

 ‘NH10’ is all set to hit the theaters on 6th March, 2015.