Alisha Chinai Biography: Life Story, Career, Family, Songs & Achievements
Introduction
Alisha Chinai, often hailed as the “Queen of Indipop”, is a celebrated Indian pop and playback singer, known for revolutionizing the Indian music industry with her bold, stylish, and catchy songs. Famous for evergreen hits like Made in India, Kajra Re, Tera Chehra, and numerous Bollywood chartbusters of the ’80s and ’90s, Alisha brought glamour and modernity into Indian pop culture. She is regarded as one of the pioneering female voices who gave Indian pop its global identity.
Personal Information
- Full Name: Sujata Chinai (popularly known as Alisha Chinai)
- Date of Birth: 18 March 1965
- Birthplace: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Occupation: Playback Singer, Pop Artist
- Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Physical Appearance
- Height: 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm)
- Weight: Approx. 58 kg
- Hair Color: Black (often dyed in stylish colors)
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
Early Life & Family Background
Alisha was born in Ahmedabad and raised in a musically inclined Gujarati family. Her passion for singing was evident from childhood, and she was inspired by both Indian and Western music. By the early 1980s, she had begun to carve her space in Bollywood with her youthful and modern singing style.
Musical Journey & Career Highlights
Bollywood Playback Singing
Alisha made her playback debut in the early 1980s and soon became one of the most sought-after voices of the time. She lent her voice to numerous hit songs for leading actresses of the era.
Some of her most popular Bollywood songs include:
- “Raat Bhar Jaam Se” (Tridev, 1989)
- “Tere Ishq Mein Nachenge” (Raja Hindustani, 1996)
- “Tera Chehra” (Judaai, 1997)
- “Kajra Re” (Bunty Aur Babli, 2005, with Shankar Mahadevan & Javed Ali)
Indipop Stardom
Her 1995 album “Made in India”, produced by Biddu, was a game changer in Indian pop. The title track became one of the biggest pop anthems of the decade and made Alisha a household name.
Other successful albums include:
- Babydoll (1988)
- Aah… Alisha! (1986)
- Alisha (1990)
Collaborations
She collaborated with top composers like Anu Malik, Nadeem–Shravan, A.R. Rahman, Vishal–Shekhar, and Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy.
Awards & Achievements
- Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer (1996) for Kajra Re.
- Recognized as the “Indipop Queen” of the 1990s.
- Multiple platinum-selling albums in the Indian pop music industry.
- Pioneered the trend of stylish, youth-oriented music videos in India.
Personal Life
Alisha Chinai has always been known for her glamorous and bold persona. She has largely kept her personal life private, focusing on her career and artistic journey.
Legacy & Influence
Alisha Chinai is remembered as the trailblazer of Indian pop music. Her daring style, experimental albums, and catchy tunes gave rise to the Indipop movement of the 1990s. With Made in India as her signature track, she left an indelible mark on Indian music, inspiring generations of female singers to explore pop beyond Bollywood playback.
FAQs
1. What is Alisha Chinai’s real name?
Her real name is Sujata Chinai.
2. Which was her most famous pop album?
Made in India (1995).
3. Did Alisha Chinai win a Filmfare Award?
Yes, for Kajra Re (Bunty Aur Babli, 2005).
4. Has she sung for Bollywood films?
Yes, she has sung many iconic Bollywood tracks from the 1980s to the 2000s.
5. Why is Alisha Chinai called the “Indipop Queen”?
Because she popularized Indian pop music with albums like Made in India.
