MUMBAI: After belting out a number of hits for films, singer Akriti Kakkar is now launching her non-film album titled 'Akriti.'

The album which will feature seven tracks, will see Akriti donning the hat of composer as well. "I have given the music for five songs," she says. Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan has composed for two of the tracks. The lyrics for the album have been penned by a couple of a lyricists including Rani Malik, Neelesh Misra and Manoj Yadav. The album which is launched by Sony Music is slated to release on 6th April with the first video of the album to hit the tube on 4th April.

Talking about the album Akriti says, "I have not stuck to any particular genre for the album. Though I have sung for various films with number of composers there was an urge in me to explore other formats. With this album I wanted to put forth things that I couldn't do in my films."

The album says Akriti "does not stick to any particular genre." There is a soft romantic number, a drama oriented number, a tribute song to Noor Jahan, "I have been a big fan of her since my childhood and wanted to pay my tribute to her through this track," says Akriti.

Though non-film as a genre does not seem to be the current flavour with sales dwindling Akriti seems to be very positive about launching the album. "I don't think there will be a better time to launch the album also I don't think the condition will improve. As an artiste I would like to see the genre reviving. But today there is no separate platform for the artistes to express their talent apart from films. The media does not give it any airtime which is unacceptable. Also the budget of the albums are not that much hence promotions and marketing become a problem."

She further adds, "There has been a lot of hue and cry about the not-so-good tracks ruling the charts. But if you do not give the audience anything good they will choose bad music. I do not regret singing tracks like Marjaani from Billu or Jhonny Gaddar, they are my bread and butter. But at the end of the day every artiste needs something to gratify their creative needs."

The Hindustani Classical Music trained singer made her debut with the song â€?Chham Se Vo Aa Jaye' in Dus. Since then, she's been part of a number of big projects, which include Namaste London, Welcome, Kismat Connection, Golmaal Returns and many more. "I have been fortunate to work with some big music directors and have belted out several hit tracks." 

The singer is also a product of the reality show phenomenon having won the 1999 Sa Re Ga Ma National Talent Hunt (Junior/Children's Special) on Zee TV. She has hosted several reality shows like Amul Voice of India Mummy Ke Superstars and participated in a few. Says the singer, "Reality shows give you platform to showcase your talent. However, your career gets set only once your talent is noticed." 

Akriti has her plate full with projects like Do Dunni chaar composed by Meet Brothers, Papu Can't Dance Saala, Life Isse Gaale Laga Le by Lalit Pandit. She is also working with the trio of Shankar Ehassan and Loy for Tere Bin Laden, a spoof film on terrorism, remake of Step Mom and Its My Life by Boney Kapoor. She will also be busy with her concerts and live shows. "Its a great platform where I will also promote my album," she concludes.

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