"I don't want to be stereotyped, that's why I am coming out with different songs. I will always have dance songs like 'Ek Paheli Leela'. I trained in classical music for 12 years from late Pandit Ganesh Prasad Mishra of Benaras gharana. I want to balance between genres," Kanika told PTI.
The singer's first step towards serious numbers is a dark song 'Chhil Gaye Naina' from Anushka Sharma-starrer 'NH10'.
"'Chhil gaye naina' is on a particular situation. It is different from anything that I have done so far. They asked me not to sing but speak. I am expressing my emotions by talking in that song. The whole point is to bring the emotion out," she said.
Kanika, 33, recently recorded a song for Universal Music India to promote cricket and its positive spirit amid the ongoing World Cup fever. The song is a Hindi cover of Swedish DJ Alesso's 'We Could Be Heroes'.
"It was a lot of fun recording this song. Universal called me one day and said they got a great idea to do a fun song on cricket. We decided to do a Hindi version of 'We Could Be Heroes' by Alesso. It was a great experience," she said.
Kanika, who made her playback singing debut in the industry with 'Baby Doll', said she had planned to begin her Bollywood career with dance numbers as she feels it is easy to establish with such songs.
"I planned it like this that I will do commercial, dance songs because it is much easier to break in the industry with this and when I make my name then I will bring in the art I love like Sufi and old time music," she said.
The year is looking up for her as the 'Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan' hitmaker is set to bring her own single.
"I am now bringing out my own single and also doing some big international collaboration. I am taking Hindi music abroad," Kanika said.
The singer wants to work with acclaimed music director Pritam, whose work she finds "perfect".
"I love Pritam. His melody, lyrics, songs have everything.
They are the perfect combination. Every song he does is perfect," she said.
Kanika has sung for Bollywood's leading ladies like Deepika Padukone, Jacqueline Fernandez, Anushka and Sunny Leone.
