Usha Uthup’s Journey from Nightclub Singer to Bollywood Star

Image sources: Dailyhunt

Renowned singer Usha Uthup recently opened up about her early days as a performer in an interview with Times of India. She revealed that her first professional contract was with a hotel where she earned ₹750 per month, which was a significant amount back then. Usha also shared that she was the highest-paid nightclub singer of her time.

Usha has lent her voice to several popular Bollywood songs over the years, including tracks from iconic movies such as Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971), Disco Dancer (1982), and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001). She also recalled how her association with legendary actor Dev Anand led to her singing for his film, Hare Rama Hare Krishna.

Speaking about her experience as a singer in the industry, Usha said, “It was by chance. My aunt helped me to get a few gigs and I always liked to sing for everyone. So I signed my professional contract with a hotel. And that was really something fantastic because, at the end of it, I got 750 rupees. Not for one show, but I got this amount for a month. I was standing and singing at the club and it was fantastic and I was the highest-paid singer in those days, I mean as a nightclub singer. So the thrill of earning that money was something else.”

Re-reported from the story originally published in Hindustan Times