Akriti Kakar Looks Back at 2023: From ‘Big Band Theory’ to Her Favorite Songs

After years of scoring hits like “Saturday Saturday” and “Iski Uski,” Akriti Kakar spent 2023 on what she refers to as her “dream project” – a collaborative song series called Big Band Theory. In its second season, Kakar roped in fellow Indian music stars to reinterpret Punjabi folk.

Understandably, it counts as one of the highlights of the year for Kakar, who also collaborated with hip-hop artist Agsy on the song “Lipstick.” Below, Kakar shares with Rolling Stone India her favorite songs, concerts and memories from the year gone by.

Favorite song of 2023

“I worked on my dream project Big Band Theory Season 2 this year and it was truly a big tick in my bucket list. Composing and reinterpreting Punjabi folk tunes with legends like Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan, friends like Romy, Nikhita Gandhi and Shashwat Singh and family including my mother Nirmal Kakar and sisters Sukriti & Prakriti. Just how beautifully everyone’s energies came together to make this project happen has been a dream come true. It was surely one of the hardest things I’ve done, considering the scale of things and also mainly independently produced sans a label. But it happened and got such incredible reviews and love from seniors, audience and media alike globally.”

“This album had 5 songs namely ‘Heer,’ ‘Mawaan Te Dhiyaan,’ ‘Sui Ve Sui,’ ‘Kala Doreya’ and ‘Aya Ladiye.’ Picking a favorite would be picking one out of my five kids and that won’t be fair. They’re all equally special for me.”

Favorite song by another artist you had on loop in 2023

I really loved “Ranjhan Aaya” by Akshay & IP. Though it’s all folk songs from Punjab, I really loved the treatment and zone they’ve created by not spoiling the original form yet making it so familiar and fun and classy all together.

Favorite new Indian artist discovery in 2023

Definitely not new, but Rochak Kohli has started his own independent label where I’m in love with a few songs he’s composed and sung. Especially loved “Karein Kya” a lot.

Favorite live show you played in 2023

I did a whole bunch of gigs this year but the most precious one was the one I did 29 days after my son Mehraan was born. It felt like I had a rebirth on stage. I valued each and every single note I hit, every little eye contact and interaction with the audience singing out aloud, every little coordination with my band who’s been my backbone for nearly 12 years now! It felt all so new yet the most familiar feeling.

Favorite international or Indian artist’s concert

I attended my dear friend Papon’s concert recently where he sang ghazals, and I truly enjoyed that! Also I attended Shankar [Mahadevan] ji performing with his sons Siddharth and Shivam for the first time and it was truly magical. I sadly missed Backstreet Boys when they played in India due to me performing in another city that very day.

Top learning as a musician in 2023

To not shy away from expressing my true self through my music. Not merely following trends to be relevant on social media. Not overanalyzing. Not judging myself before the audience does. And even when they do, not worrying about it. Making music for myself to please myself has been my number one learning. My audiences will only then be able to enjoy it fully.