Global pop sensation Dua Lipa is set to serve up a slice of musical heaven to her Indian fans. The songstress would be performing in India for the second time (she first performed in 2019) as a part of her Asia tour for her album Radical Optimism. As the three-time Grammy winner gets into a conversation with Bombay Times she talks about her return to India.
Excerpts followed…
‘Love an excuse to come to India’
With India holding a special place in her heart, Dua’s enthusiasm performing in the country is palpable. Dua says, “I always love an excuse to come to India. It is such a beautiful country, and I have tons of fond memories from visiting. With all my shows, I’m always wanting to create a fun and energetic space to reconnect with so many of my fans that I have not been able to see in so long.”
‘Indian tour is going to be epic’
Talking about the show she mentions, “There is going to be lots of dancing and lots of sweating – it’s going to be epic.”
With just a few days away from the tour, Dua admits she “cannot wait”. “We just officially kicked off the Radical Optimism Tour earlier this month in Singapore, and each show has been an absolute blast. We unfortunately didn’t get to bring the Future Nostalgia Tour to Asia the last time around, so we are making up for a lot of lost time, and it’s been so much fun.”
‘My last Indian trip has always stayed with me’
Dua was last in India for a personal trip last year. She called it “magical” back then in a post. “It was so magical! I met so many incredibly kind and wonderful people on my trip and just left feeling so inspired. Between the delicious food and the beautiful places, it was a trip that has always stayed with me, and as soon as we started planning this tour, I knew India had to be included.”
‘Was blown by Woh Ladki Jo and Levitating’s mashup’
In 2023, a netizen had created a mashup of Dua’s hit number
Levitating
and a popular Bollywood track
Woh Ladki Jo
(from the film
Badshah),
which featured Shah Rukh Khan and Twinkle Khanna. The mashup caught on really quick and started trending online. The New Rules singer, who had also heard the track back then, says, “I was blown away when I first heard the mashup of
Woh Ladki Jo
and
Levitating
. It was amazing!” Revealing who her favourite Bollywood actor is, she says, “I love Shah Rukh Khan!”
‘Grateful for everything the last decade has brought’
2024 is also special as 10 years ago in 2014, Dua was signed by the label she is represented by. “It’s insane to think about,” she says, adding, “I’m so grateful for everything the last decade has brought, and each year is even better than the last. This year I got to fulfill a huge dream of mine to headline the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, and next year we’ve got two sold out shows at Wembley Stadium! It’s mad!”
As she reflects on her decade long journey she adds, “
I think it’s so important to look back and recognize how far you’ve come. Having that perspective really helps keep everything grounded and centered for me.”
‘Beautiful to hear from fans that my work has influenced their life’
Dua was also recognised as one of the most influential people in the world in 2024. However, she doesn’t look at it as a “responsibility”. “I take it as a huge honor but it’s always a beautiful thing to hear from fans that my work has influenced their life in a positive way,” she signs off.
