Abhinanda who has just returned from Qatar is super excited to see the reception she got from the audience. ETimes caught up with the versatile singer for an exclusive chat and Abhinanda spoke highly about the wholesome experience.
“It’s really a proud moment for me to represent India in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. We have been practicing for these performances for a really long time, music is life for me, and it’s indeed a joy to represent my own music to the world audience. Every day we performed in front of more than 40,000 audience. I have never seen such enthusiastic audiences ever in my life. It’s really an experience to cherish lifelong,” said Abhinanda who still can’t control her excitement.
When asked if she got a chance to meet the champions Argentina and Lionel Messi the singer admits she didn’t get to meet them but can feel the same excitement, “No, I couldn’t meed Messi or Argentina team since I was posted at the fan zone. That’s why I didn’t get the chance to meet the players. But I saw so many Argentina supporters overjoyed rooting for their team. In fact, I am also an Argentina fan. So it was amazing and it was thrilling because seeing all those jerseys together and rooting for their team was great. I could feel the vibes.
Did Abhinanda have any fan girl moment during the World Cup in Qatar? Well, the singer says she had a unique fan girl moment in her own way. “My fan girl moment was a different one. I couldn’t meet the players since I was away from the main stadium. I had three days in hand for three performances. So, it was a super busy schedule. But I definitely earned a lot of fans in Qatar because they loved my performance and my energy because football is all about energy, speed and all. So yes, this was a different kind of fan girl moment for me,” she shared.
When we asked whether she was a bit nervous because this was a mega football event Abhinanda promptly answered, “I have been performing for a long time now. For every performances, I always have tickling in my stomach since I want to give my best. This time it’s FIFA World Cup, so I was obviously looking forward to this event for a long time. Finally I got the opportunity and I didn’t want to miss it or underperform. Thankfully, I had a lovely experience because I was all prepared and I had a gala event.
Since she has been performing in front of international audience along with her shows across India for years is there any difference in audience reception? “I think Indian audience is the best and they will always be the best because the kind of energy, the kind of expectations, the kind of knowledge they have on music is not at all easy. But trust me I had audiences, basically Asians and Africans, at the fan zone who were dancing to the Bollywood music. It was amazing to see their enthusiasm. You don’t know the language or the songs and you still enjoying the music, dancing and taking photographs, waving lights, throwing positive energy – all were just amazing feeling that can’t be explained in words. The reception was way more than expectation.
Since starting her journey winning a reality show Abhinanda has come a long way and the singer-performer has made a name for herself in the music industry. She did a play back for Nana Patekar, and Mahi Gill starrer ‘Wedding Anniversary’. Her recently released singles like ‘Zee lene do’ and ‘Khud Me Hi’ has also been lapped up by all. And, even after representing India for 31 times in various International platforms Abhinanda feels, “Being a part of the FIFA World Cup 2022 will always be etched in her heart.”