Tulsi, T-Series baron Bhushan Gulshan Kumar's sister, has ventured into playback singing with "Humko Deewana Kar Gaye" and says she always wanted to be a singer.

"Ever since I can remember, music has interested me. Even as a child I would keep humming songs. One day, dad (Gulshan Kumar) heard me and loved my voice. He suggested that I take up singing professionally. I was just six years old then."

Tulsi started her singing career with devotional songs.

"I come from a very religious family and I am a religious person. I first wanted to seek the blessings of god before kick-starting my career. That's why I got into devotional songs."

In her home production "Humko Deewana...", she lends her voice to Katrina Kaif in the title song with Himesh Reshammiya. Excerpts:

Q: When did you decide to pursue singing as a career?
A: Ever since I can remember, music has interested me. Even as a child I would keep humming tunes of songs. One day dad heard me and loved my voice. He suggested that I take up singing professionally.

I was just six years old then but I knew I wanted to be a singer. I joined the Suresh Wadkar Academy and now for the last four years, Arvind Jha has been my guide.

Q: How supportive was your family about this decision?
A: It was my father's dream to see me sing. Even my mother has consistently encouraged me and helped me to remain focused.

Q: You started off with devotional songs. Why the shift to mainstream songs?
A: I come from a very religious family and I am a religious person. I first wanted to seek the blessings of god before kick-starting my career. That's why I got into devotional songs. I have sung for around six-seven devotional albums.

Also, I have done a lot of remixes and sung numerous cover versions. So I wanted to experience the whole gamut of songs before I actually get into mainstream songs.

Q: Will devotional songs take a back seat?
A: No, not at all.

Q: Any role model?
A: I look up to my brother. He has worked very hard from a very young age and faced a lot of difficulties. He has inspired me to work hard and make it on my own merit.

Q: Which is the first Hindi film song you recorded for? How was the experience?
A: The first ever song I recorded for a Hindi film was the title song of "Humko Deewana Kar Gaye". Anu Malik, who has scored the music for the film, was very patient and made me feel very comfortable. I sang it along with Sonu (Nigam). The song has shaped up really well and is rocking the charts.

Q: Who is your favourite singer?
A: From the previous lot of singers, I adore Lata Mangeshkar-ji and Asha Bhosle- ji. From the current lot, I really, really like Sonu Nigam.

Q: Which is your favourite song?
A: I like all the songs by Lata-ji. But my favourite is "Chand phir nikla" from the movie "Paying Guest".

Q: Future projects?
A: I have sung a song "Mohabbat ke" for "Aksar, which has just been released. Although I sang first for "Humko Deewana Kar Gaye", the song for "Aksar" released first with Himesh Reshammiya.

My track from "Tom, Dick and Harry" has also just been released. I am also singing for Priyadarsan's "Chup Chupke" releasing on June 9.

Q: You have sung Malik and Reshammiya's version of the title song of "Humko Deewana Kar Gaye". Which do you prefer?
A: I really like both of them. These composers are such big names and I am glad I got to work with them at the very start of my career.