Heer on Working With Sonu Nigam and AR Rahman: ‘I Learn Something From Every Singer’

Singer Heer is carving out a musical identity defined by experimentation rather than a single genre. Her recent releases, ranging from the intimate Oh Tabassum and Dheere Dheere to the energetic Roop Di Rani and Hellallallo, along with the familiar Chhaap Tilak, reflect her interest in moving between contrasting musical moods.

That versatility has also brought her into the studio with a wide range of artists, including Sonu Nigam, Faheem Abdullah, Shilpa Rao, Tanishk Bagchi, Guru Randhawa and Paradox. She has also collaborated with prominent creative figures such as A.R. Rahman, Javed Akhtar and Irshad Kamil.

For Heer, working alongside artists she once listened to as a fan remains a special experience, but she says the excitement eventually gives way to a deeper focus on the music itself.

Heer on Collaborating With Sonu Nigam and Other Artists

Heer admits that stepping into a studio with artists she grew up listening to can initially feel surreal.

“It’s always special and, frankly, a little surreal. When you’ve grown up listening to someone and then find yourself in a studio sharing a song with them, there is a certain excitement,” she said.

However, she believes that once the recording starts, the personal excitement has to take a back seat.

“But once you start recording, you have to let that go and become part of the song. That’s when the real magic happens. I feel truly blessed to be working with them.”

For Heer, these collaborations are therefore not simply career milestones. They have also become opportunities to observe and learn from musicians with vastly different experiences.

What Heer Learned From Sonu Nigam and AR Rahman

Speaking about Sonu Nigam and A.R. Rahman, Heer described both as institutions in their respective fields.

“They are both institutions, so there is so much to learn from them,” Heer said.

She says much of that learning comes from paying attention to subtle choices rather than receiving formal instruction.

“With artists like them, you notice the smallest things, their thought process, how they approach a lyric, when they choose to hold back and when they let the emotion take over. Those things teach you a lot without anyone actually having to teach you.”

That observational approach has become part of her own musical development, particularly as she continues to work across different styles.

Why Heer Enjoys Musical Versatility

Heer’s recent discography moves between romance, high-energy tracks and traditional influences, and the singer says she deliberately avoids restricting herself to one sound.

“I think versatility is something I naturally enjoy. I get bored if I keep doing the same thing. I want to be able to sing something soft and intimate one day and something completely energetic the next.”

Rather than viewing each release as another version of the same artistic identity, she sees individual songs as opportunities to discover new aspects of her voice.

“Every song gives me an opportunity to discover another side of my voice.”

That approach is reflected in the variety of projects she has taken on so far.

How AR Rahman Changed Heer’s Approach to Music

Among her collaborations, working with A.R. Rahman appears to have had a particularly meaningful influence on how Heer thinks about singing.

“Working with A.R. Rahman has definitely changed the way I approach music. He has such a unique way of looking at a voice and understanding what it can bring to a song.”

The experience encouraged her to listen more carefully and rely more on instinct instead of trying to control every aspect of a performance.

“It has taught me to listen more carefully, trust my instincts and not overthink everything.”

Heer also remembers her first visit to Rahman’s studio as an overwhelming mixture of emotions.

“I remember the first time I walked into his studio, I did not know if I am nervous, excited, anxious or just overwhelmed, it was too many emotions at once.”

Independent Music and Film Songs Shaped Her Differently

Heer’s musical growth has taken place across both independent releases and film music, and she believes the two formats have taught her different things.

“My independent music gave me the freedom to experiment and understand what I enjoy musically, while film music has taught me to adapt to a story and a particular emotion. I think both have shaped me in different ways.”

Independent music has offered room for personal experimentation, while playback and film-oriented projects require a singer to respond to a character, narrative or emotional context.

For Heer, the combination has helped broaden both her creative instincts and her understanding of performance.

Heer Wants to Explore Classical and Folk Influences

Looking ahead, Heer does not appear interested in settling into a fixed musical formula.

She says she would like to explore classical and folk-inspired music, while remaining open to sounds that are less familiar to her.

“I would love to explore more classical and folk-inspired music, but also something completely new and unexpected. I’d rather keep experimenting and let the music take me somewhere new.”

That willingness to experiment remains central to Heer’s evolving musical identity — one shaped by collaborations, contrasting genres and a continued curiosity about what her voice can do.