The latest foreign face in the Indian film industry is pop singer Ann Mitchai, a popular face in her home country, Thailand, who made her Bollywood debut in Ishq Actually this year, as the second lead opposite actor Rajiv Khandelwal. Mitchai, who has a very successful pop music career in Thailand, and was in Mumbai to finalise her record deal. Mitchai grew up watching Bollywood movies and is well versed in the Indian classical dance form, kathak.

Likay, or music drama, is a traditional performing art of central Thailand and the singer has been practicing this folk opera since she was 5 years of age. Today her name is synonymous with Likay back in Thailand.

While the concept for the songs is her own, she has roped in Sheryl Verghese, Eddie Avil and Jaspreet Jasz to pen the lyrics for her, while Eddie Avil (movie Sixteen) has composed the music on the album. The dance is choreographed by Dhiraj Bakshi.

Excerpts from an interview with the dashing Ann Mitchai:

Your album title Superstar taken from your lead single which you shot in Mumbai on your last visit? What are the other tracks and are the songs mostly uptempo or punchy like Superstar?

There are some 6 songs in the album and all of them are up-tempo dance tunes. There is Dance like we’re crazy which is going to be our second single released from our album.

On your last visit to Mumbai you had said that you wanted to include a Hindi song in your album, have done it?

Yes I have a tune called Chali Hawa. It definitely has a very Bollywood vibe to it...hope the listeners like my work.

Are you planning on making any more music videos in Mumbai?

Well yes that’s the plan for sure....after we release the album and our first single with the music video Superstar...we plan to test the market if the response is good then for sure we plan to shoot another fun video.

Why did you plan on releasing this album on an Indian label. There are many labels back in Thailand too? 

Yes many people have asked me the same question, why India and why not Bangkok. Well I have been a performing artist all my life and I have been greatly influenced by Bollywood since my early years, having been a big fan of Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi....I would watch their movies and would try and emulate some of the dance moves in my live shows back in bangkok which my fans started loving and asking more of the same....somewhere down the line my love for India and Bollywood grew exponentially. I have released quite a few albums in Thailand...and India seemed to be the most natural move as India/Bollywood is growing. phenomenally and I desired to be part of it as an Actress, Singer andPerforming Artist.

You also starred in the Bollywood movie Ishq Actually, have you received any more offers?

Yes I am in talks with a few people as offers have been coming in, but I will divulge all this only once I sign on the dotted lines.

Do you also plan to use any of your Thai influenced songs into Bollywood movies anytime, so that people will know about Likay tradition?

Well that would be fantastic if someone is keen to explore that side of me in Bollywood....as I have been a Likay performer all my life.

What response did you get to your role in the Bollywood movie?

The reviews have been mixed but nonetheless this is my first Bollywood film, and  with gods grace and the love of my fans I belive there will be many more to follow wherein I will be able to hone my skills and put forward my acting skills.

Can you tell us something about your family and how you got into music?

I was born into a family of some of the greatest Likay performers, with more than 20 years of experienced performances generating happiness for audiences across Thailand and in several foreign countries. Influenced by my elder brother’s talent for Likay, I started to learn more about it when I was just 5 years old. My brother and I were invited to perform Likay shows on several occasions. During recent years, I have managed to experiment with the use of some modern arts with my Likay performance, reflecting in the combination of Bollywood and Thai folk dance. I was surprised that my fans love my Indian dance and it implicitly drove me to present this combination of the two traditional arts in my performances. Once in my lifetime, I was honored with a Royal Award for cultural heritage conservation from His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The award was considered as the highest honor for me and my family. I was born and brought up amidst a truly admired culture and traditions. Therefore, I not only love Thai culture, but also praise Indian arts, especially the dancing. Likay requires you to do a lot of singing so music happened in my life because of Likay now I listen to all kinds of music Thai traditional/pop music/rock.

What are your future plans?

I take life as it comes and at this point of time my entire energy is geared towards the release of my debut album in India.

Interviewed by Verus Ferreira