The following year, Chauhan recorded the title song of Aaja Nachle (2007) and "Sajnaaji Vaari", both critically and commercially well received. Chauhan received her twelfth Filmfare nomination with "Chor Bazaari" of Love Aaj Kal (2009) preceded by "Dance Pe Chance" from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008). In 2010, she received her second Filmfare award with the item song "Sheila Ki Jawani" (2010) and was nominated for international styled carnival song "Udi" from Guzaarish (2010). The year marked her International singing debut, where she was featured in an alternate version of the song "Heartbeat" by Enrique Iglesias.
In 1995, Chauhan performed at the 40th Filmfare Awards with the group "Little Wonders", when late music director Aadesh Shrivastava heard her and recorded her voice for the film, Shastra.[2] She made her career debut at the age of eleven, with the song "Ladki Deewani Dekho" from the film, alongside Udit Narayan.[12] During the year, she won the first singing reality show on DD National titled Meri Awaz Suno, where she was honoured with the "Lata Mangeshkar Trophy" for the best female singer of India.[13][14] Besides, she recorded her first solo album, Aira Gaira Nathu Khaira which was ultimately promoted as a children's album.[15] Chauhan then realised her "limitations" and got formal training in classical singing from Gautam Mukherjee.[13] For the next two years, she worked as a background vocalist.[11]
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2010 marked Chauhan's international singing debut, where she featured in an alternate version of the song "Heartbeat" titled as "Heartbeat (India Mix)" alongside Spanish recording artist Enrique Iglesias, included on a Special Indian Edition of Euphoria.[88][89][90] During the year, she performed a holi number, "Chhan Ke Mohalla" from Action Replayy and a fast-paced Punjabi flavoured dance number "Ainvayi Ainvayi" from Band Baaja Baaraat.[91][92] The year marked her only collaboration with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, where she recorded the international styled carnival song "Udi" from Guzaarish. Complimenting her "fiery" vocals in the song, Sukanya Verma wrote: "Sunidhi Chauhan aims to burn the floor with her fiery, spunky performance in Udi".[93] She was also part of the soundtrack album Housefull, where she performed "Aapka Kya Hoga (Dhanno)" and "I Don't Know What To Do" in her usual "sensuous voice".[94] Apart from recording the title track and "Sanu Guzra Zamana" for Reshammiya's Kajraare, Chauhan was heard in Pritam's cabaret number "Parda" from Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai which has influences of "Piya Tu" and "Duniya Mein" while brought in an improvised "true retro feel".[95][96]
During the year, Chauhan collaborated with Vishal-Shekhar for three projects; Break Ke Baad, I Hate Luv Storys and Tees Maar Khan. Both the songs, "Bin Tere" from I Hate Luv Storys and "Sheila Ki Jawani" from Tees Maar Khan were commercial success and were included in The Express Tribune's "Top 10 Bollywood songs of 2010".[97] Described as the "hottest item song of the year", the song along with its crew faced a controversy over the "raunchy" lyrics, though Chauhan felt that the "song has been written in sync with the storyline of the film and does not intend to hurt the female sentiments".[98] She won her second Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer for "Sheila Ki Jawani" and was nominated in the same category for "Udi".[99][100] During the year, she appeared as a judge alongside Anu Malik and Salim Merchant in the 5th season of the Indian television music competition, Indian Idol.[101] Along with ten other artists, she performed a 30-minute segment titled the Universal Music of Love comprised Sufi, folk, Indipop and world music performances during the 2010 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony.[102][103]
Chauhan's first release of 2014 was the Vishal-Shekhar composed "Punjabi Wedding Song" from Hasee Toh Phasee, which was a duet with Benny Dayal.[132] The "foot-tapping number" became popular at weddings that were scheduled soon after the film.[133] She was next heard in Rahman's traditional tuned "Tu Kuja" from Highway. According to The Times of India, "Though a devotional number, Chauhan's voice mixed with the music creates a very Western effect" to the song.[134] Apart from rendering Hitesh Sonik-composed "Ghoom Gayi" included in the album Hawaa Hawaai, She made an on-screen appearance in its music promotional video.[135][136] Moreover, Chauhan performed the "Mardaani Anthem" from Mardaani which was about women empowerment.[137] During the year, she recorded the track "Adhure" from Mary Kom sung in her "gentle", "soft" voice.[138] Apart from rendering "Qawali and rock fused" title track of Daawat-e-Ishq along with Javed Ali, she collaborated with Vishal-Shekhar again for Happy New Year's "Dance Like a Chammiya".[139][140] She then made her second appearance in a music video, titled "Baal Khade" from Khoobsurat, along with composer Sneha Khanwalkar and Sonam Kapoor.[141] She also lent her voice for the recreated version of Rajasthani folk song "Engine Ki Seeti" from the film.[142] Apart from Bollywood films, Chauhan lent her voice to the title track of the romantic thriller TV series Ek Hasina Thi.[143]
Describing her singing style, Chauhan said; "I have no particular style; instead I only go with the music and the lyrics, and feel free to express my emotions through singing".[187] Though her singing style has a strong western influences, she has recorded some semi-classical songs in her career, including songs from Rang Rasiya.[188] She has not performed any classical songs or a ghazal and has expressed her interest on releasing a ghazal album.[188][189] Though known for her high pitch renditions, she personally prefers soft and soothing songs.[190] Believing that singing all kinds of songs makes her grow as a musician she revealed that her "weakness remains for soft melodies".[191] "Even on live shows, I first sing my fast numbers to get the audience into the groove. But once they are happy with their favorite numbers, I switch on to slow scores".[191]
Chauhan has also been influenced by many artists outside the country like Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey,[199] Celine Dion[200] and Whitney Houston.[201][6] According to Chauhan, she started listening English songs after she turned 11, and she grew up listening to "Always Be My Baby" by Carey.[202] Chauhan who admires the work of Shakira was keen to be part of the Indian version of The Voice, since she served as a coach on the American version of the show.[203]
Naming Chauhan as her most favourite singer, Shalmali Kholgade found her musical skills "utterly" inspirational.[236] Shaan (singer) confessing to being a massive fan of Sunidhi and said "She is just amazing" and loves to see Sunidhi singing live.[237] Papon called her a "versatile vocalist" and complimented how she "brings life into any kind of song".[238] British Indian rapper Hard Kaur affirmed that Chauhan as a person is as "good as her voice".[239] Composer Shantanu Moitra perceived that Chauhan is an artist who would "excel in any time and age".[240] Mika Singh stated that "Chauhan serves as a role model for the youngsters".[241] Singer Shibani Kashyap remarked that Chauhan is a fabulous singer who "can sing all types of songs with the same ease".[242] Singer Himani Kapoor considers Chauhan her Idol "because of the range she sings in".[243] Singer Monali Thakur admitting to be a huge fan of Chauhan has said that "she has always really admired the singer".[244] Director and Composer Vishal Bhardwaj considers Chauhan as his favourite singer that he wants to make more music for.[245] Prakriti Kakar,[citation needed] Aditi Singh Sharma mentioned Chauhan as an inspiration for herself.[246] Aastha Gill considers Chauhan her ultimate Idol and "loves the texture of her voice".[247] Neha Bhasin credited Chauhan for bringing the "much-needed" change in the music industry.[248]Shilpa Rao also credited Chauhan for paving the path for original, unique, and different voices and said, "You are the pioneer and many of us wouldn't be on music records if it weren't for you to change the scene".[249] Sonu Nigam has said that the industry calls Chauhan his female version.[250] Chauhan's work has been praised by Shefali Alvares,[251] Ankit Tiwari,[252] Neha Kakkar,[253] Richa Sharma,[254] Amit Mishra,[255] Jonita Gandhi,[256] Vaishali Mhade,[257] Sukhwinder Singh,[258] Kaushiki Chakraborty,[259] Pawni Pandey,[260] Shashaa Tirupati,[261] A. R. Rahman,[262] Amit Trivedi,[178] and Raghav Sachar.[263]
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