From reality TV to her Bollywood debut in Haunted 3D, to carving out a space in music and films, Tia Bajpai It has been a journey marked by reinvention. Now, after a break of three years, Lilly returns with the international film Rose – Chapter 1 and the music project Love Mafia, where she sings in five languages. In this exclusive interview with ETimes, Tia talks about working across cultures, the challenges of being an outsider and how artists like it. Priyanka Chopra and Irrfan Khan made global ambitions feel within reach.
With Love Mafia you have sung in five languages: English, Hindi, Swahili, Korean and Latin. What was the most difficult emotional shift in expressing love in such different cultures?
What became clear in Love Mafia is that love is universal, but its expression is deeply cultural.Love is different in every language…but it feels the same everywhere.The challenge was not pronunciation, but emotional translation. Hindi lets you linger in love, English makes it straighter, Korean holds it back, Swahili gives it an earthy rhythm, and Latin makes it feel almost eternal.Each language required a different emotional grammar. Couldn’t bear the same feeling. Each song required unlearning and relearning love from the perspective of that culture. That was the real challenge and also the biggest takeaway.
Working with international producers Roman prince How did the global production process differ from what you experienced in India?
The difference was in intent and depth. In India, we often work with instinct and speed, and there is beauty in that spontaneity. But here, every detail was built with precision. Each of the 11 songs was treated like a cinematic piece, with carefully constructed layers of sound, silence and emotion.This wasn’t recording music…it was building emotions layer by layer.It was also a very collaborative process. There was no hierarchy. Instead of being told what to do, there was a constant push to explore what I was feeling. This completely changes your performance. You don’t just give a voice, you become part of the story.
After a three-year hiatus, what did returning with an international project change for you—as an artist and as a person?
Those three years were more of a period of reflection than a break. I stopped chasing visibility… and started choosing meaning.There were questions, doubts, and a great deal of clarity as well along with moving away.The biggest change is that you no longer have to constantly watch. Before, there is always a rush to prove yourself. Now, the need to create something meaningful is stronger.As a person, there is more peace. As an artist, there is more fearlessness. The focus has shifted from fitting into spaces to creating work that feels true.
Looking at the journeys of actors like Priyanka Chopra and Irrfan Khan, do you think their transition to Hollywood has helped pave the way for artists like you to explore global platforms with more confidence?
Their journeys were important because they changed perceptions. They showed that Indian talent can exist on a global stage without losing its identity.Before that, world class work felt distant. After that, it became something that could realistically be aspired to. They didn’t just open the doors, they made the way visible.This type of representation gives many artists the confidence to think beyond their limits.They didn’t just cross over…they changed the way the world saw us. And that’s really inspiring.
Coming from a non-film background and starting with reality TV, how difficult was it to be taken seriously as an actor in Bollywood?
It’s a long process. Reality TV provides visibility, but not credibility. When you’re outside the industry, you’re constantly proving yourself. Simply put, visibility is easy…credibility takes years.There is no protection, no ecosystem. Every choice feels like a test. And sometimes, even after you’ve proven yourself, you’re seen as temporary.It takes time for people to stop looking at where you’re coming from and start recognizing what you’re bringing.
You once mentioned being replaced by a child star in a major film – how did that moment shape your understanding of the industry’s power dynamics?
That moment brought clarity. He made it clear that talent is only part of the industry. That’s right here, talent matters… but power often decides. And other factors such as access, influence and power also play a role.You can give your best and still not be the last choice. Accepting this reality is important.He shifted from seeking validation to building something independent and personal.
You were also called “difficult” for turning down certain roles. Did it feel like there was a cost to staying close to your options?
Every “no” protected the artist I wanted to be.But saying “No” always comes at a cost, especially when you’re not protecting strong connections. It is easy to be misunderstood.But every choice shapes you as an artist. There were moments of doubt, but in retrospect, those decisions helped keep him aligned with what felt right.It slowed down the journey, but preserved the authenticity.
Was your commitment to international work driven more by creative curiosity or the limitations you experienced in the Hindi film industry?
They were both. Driven by curiosity… the boundaries accelerated. There was a natural curiosity to explore something new, but also a realization that growth had to come from leaving familiar spaces.International work offered creative freedom. It made it possible to experiment with sound, language and stories in a limitless way.It wasn’t just globalization, it was creative expansion.
Do you think struggles like yours are changing for newcomers today, or do outsiders still face the same obstacles?
There is change, but it is gradual. Digital platforms have made access easier, but acceptance is still a journey.Outsiders continue to face challenges to be taken seriously and have equal opportunities. The difference so far is that these conversations are more open.There is more awareness, although the system is still evolving.Today, access has improved… acceptance is still catching up.
If you could go back and talk to your younger self from your Sa Re Ga Ma Pa days, what would you prepare yourself for emotionally?
The first thing would be to prepare for rejection. Not as something negative, but as something that shapes you.Travel is unpredictable, and things don’t always go as planned. But the only constant is your voice and believing in it.Patience becomes very important. While talent can open doors, resilience is what keeps you going.
