I was very competitive as a kid: Neeti Mohan

Singer Neeti Mohan, known for her hit songs like Ishq Wala Love, Jiya Re and Bang Bang, will be seen as a coach on &TV’s forthcoming singing reality show The Voice India Kids.

She is not new to the reality space as she has been on the winning side of two singing shows - Popstars and Music Ka Maha Muqabla.

In an exclusive conversation with Tellychakkar.com, Neeti spoke about her first experience as a coach, childhood memories and more.

Excerpts...

You are donning the hat of a mentor for the first time. How excited are you?

In The Voice India Kids, we call ourselves coaches and not judges as we are here to train them. The kids are very talented and versatile...so we will only polish them further. I am happy as I am from a reality show background, so I totally understand the nervousness. I have gone through all of these emotions. So now as a coach, I will motivate and inspire the kids.

Do you remember your childhood days?

Yes! The kids are from various parts of the country, away from their homes. I took them out for picnics and it was a lot of fun. There are enjoying a lot as it is like a summer camp for them.

Tell us, how were you as a kid...

As a kid, I used to hang around music or live bands. Whenever my parents and I used to attend weddings and if I wasn't around them, they knew where to find me. Along with my sisters, I used to be near the Dj or the music system. I think that was my identity and my parents learned that I was a music-lover. If there was a Madhuri Dixit song playing, my sisters and I would try to copy those steps. We used to make our bed a stage and also turn old clothes into costumes. Those were the best days.

An old song you would have loved to lend your voice to?

Songs from Guide and Lekin, along with semi classical songs. I used to listen to them and prepare for my school competitions. I used to take up tough songs so that I could win the trophy. I was very competitive.

How is your bond with the co-coaches?

They are amazing. They are ragging me, but I am enjoying it. Audiences would see our bonding, even though we would try to woo the kids to be on our teams. But yeah, 'ek naari padegi dono Shekhar and Shaan pe bhaari!'

Your sister Shakti Mohan is also a judge on a dance reality show, have you taken any tips from her?

Shakti asked me to be myself. And to just show the contestant genuine love. If I fall in love with a kid's voice, I would definitely tell him/her that.

We wish you good luck, Neeti!