Jun 23, 2026 11:30am IST
Parineeti Chopra On Recording ‘Namami Shamishan’: “It Was Born From A Beautiful Morning During My Pregnancy” (EXCLUSIVE)
Parineeti Chopra makes her return to music, but this time it isn’t for a movie. The actress has put out a deeply spiritual offering — “Namami Shamishan,” a devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Shiva.
For Chopra, the track is far more than a musical release. Rooted in a lifelong family tradition of devotion and shaped by her experience of pregnancy and motherhood, “Namami Shamishan” is a prayer she has lived with for years. Conceived during a quiet morning of meditation, the song reflects her belief in the healing power of faith, music and mindfulness.
In this conversation with Variety India, Chopra opens up about why she chose this particular hymn, how pregnancy strengthened her spiritual connection, why she considers devotional music a responsibility rather than a commercial pursuit, and why she now wants to make music a bigger part of her professional life.
Here are excerpts from the interview :
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Was there a specific moment that led you to record this song?
It was during my pregnancy. Like I said, I used to hear it every morning as part of my daily ritual. It brought me closer to my faith, to God. I anyway meditate every day, but it brought me more to a meditative level and I used to just hum or sing “Namami Shamishan” all day. The idea just came to me one morning. I was just sitting in my room and looking at the sun. It was like 6 or 7 in the morning, I was just singing it and I just recorded two, three lines on my phone, just like a voice note and I sent it forward and it just kind of took off from there. So yeah, it was just one of those beautiful mornings during my pregnancy.
Why did this particular Shiva hymn stand out for you?
I have been a Shiv Bhakt since birth. Our entire family has Shiv Bhakts. When I got married to Raghav, I realized he and his dad too are Shiv Bhakts. “Om Namah Shivaya” is what comes out of our mouths consistently.
And I wanted to sing this because this is the one that used to affect my mood the most. It used to calm me down the most. It was the most familiar. It was mine. You know, it just felt like this is the one that I have grown up with. This is the one that brings me the most peace. So it had to be “Namami” and nothing else. It’s like you know different people have different favorites: “Om Jai Jagdish,” some want “Hanuman Chalisa,” for me it’s “Namami.” So, I had to bring this one out into the world.
Did you have multiple interpretations of how you wanted it to sound?
No, there was only one version in my head. I just needed the right people to help bring it to life. I wanted it to have a haunting yet meditative quality that makes you close your eyes. I didn’t want a fast-tempo kirtan vibe—I wanted it to feel like a morning meditation, with subtle drums and an Indian soundscape. It should feel like you’re sitting alone on Kailash Parbat, surrounded by stillness.
How is singing devotional music different from regular playback singing?
There’s much more responsibility because you have to get it right. These are our ancestral shloks and stutis—they weren’t created by us. They are sacred words, so you have to ensure the pronunciation, emotion and intention are right. You can’t commercialize them or approach them with any agenda. They have to remain pure, full of faith and devotion. So yes, it’s very different from playback or pop music. You are presenting this as your prayer, and that carries a unique responsibility. You can bring your personal emotion to it, but you can’t distort or commercialize it.
Did Raghav encourage you to release the track?
He’s my biggest supporter. In fact, he scolds me for not doing enough! He’s the one who pushes me because he hears me singing all day. He always says, ‘You were born to sing. You were born for music.’ He once told me that his father used to sing “Namami Shamishan” to him every day. So when I recorded the track and kept it a surprise. When I played him the finished version, he didn’t realize it was my voice at first. He thought I was introducing him to a new rendition. About 10 seconds in, he looked at me and said, ‘Wait, is that you?’ I said, ‘Yes, that’s my voice.’ It was a special moment for him, and now it’s on his phone and part of his daily routine, too. To me, that’s success. If someone makes it part of their day, that’s enough for me.
Devotional music has found a renewed audience. Do you see yourself as part of that trend?
I want my devotional music journey to remain personal. I’m not doing it for attention or commercial reasons. I am doing it because this is who I am. Devotional music is a huge part of my life, and I want to create my own versions of what’s meaningful to me. It has nothing to do with trends. I’m at a point in my life where I want to share this music in my voice because I feel I am meant to do it.
Have you played this for your son Neer?
If I hear it every day, the whole family hears it every day, so that should answer the question.
Do you see music becoming a bigger part of your professional life?
Absolutely. I’m already doing it. I have acted for many years, but music has always been a huge part of my life. Now,I want it to be a bigger part of my professional journey as well. I have already started that journey. I released a song now, and I released one a few years ago, too. I want to do it more frequently. So yes, I am fully in it now.
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