Shalmali’s ‘Awaara’ Sets the Mood for Love and Longing

The music video, featuring actor Siddharth Menon, visually translates this sentiment, showcasing love in its most intimate and unspoken moments—a smile, a touch, or a quiet connection that speaks louder than words.

Talking about the song, Shalmali Kholgade adds, 

'Awaara was first a Marathi song titled Ha Vaara, which I composed for an Marathi film called June in 2020. I knew then, that at some point I had to have it written in Hindi. When Rajan Batra stepped in to write the lyric, it felt like a match made in heaven. Rajan’s understanding of the meter, melody and meaning of the song brings out the exact emotion the composition demands. He is masterful with his words. This coupled with the fact that, Siddharth Menon, who stars in the Marathi film June, kindly obliging to feature in the music video, felt like I couldn’t have asked for a better way to present the song. I’ve been blessed with some beautiful friendships and camaraderie with the people I’ve worked with on this song.’

Shalmali has been a trailblazer in India’s independent music and live performance scene, consistently pushing boundaries beyond her Bollywood chartbusters like Pareshaan, Balam Pichkari, Lat Lag Gayee, and Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai.

Recently, she headlined the main act at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, delivering a mesmerizing live performance that left thousands spellbound. Her dynamic stage presence and vocal prowess earned her the ELLE Spotlight Performer Award, solidifying her status as one of India’s most electrifying live performers. Additionally, she has been at the forefront of genre-fluid collaborations with both international and indie artists, further showcasing her versatility and artistic evolution.

With Awaara, Shalmali continues to reinvent herself as an independent artist, proving that her music is more than just heard—it is deeply felt.