After 22 Years, India's Own Girl Band W.i.S.H. Steps Into Spotlight

India is a country with a rich musical heritage that has been running in our culture for centuries. With Indians embracing modern music culture, we still continue to thrive on our ancient music while enjoying the new-age musical rhythms. Despite the steepness of music in our culture and country, India failed to have a girls' band for two decades! 

But not anymore! After 22 years of hiatus after VIVA, the Indian pop girl band formed in 2002, consisting of Dum Maaro Dum singers Anushka Manchanda, Neha Bhasin, Seema Ramchandani, Pratichee Mohapatra, and Mahua Kamat. After VIVA, India had no girl-pop band till 2024, unless Chennai-born music producer and director Mikey McCleary, under the Sony Entertainment banner, spearheaded the all-women pop girl band W.i.S.H., which is now the first all-girls Indian pop group after 22 years. 

India's First Girl Pop Group After 2 Decades W.i.S.H.

The Indian pop girl group W.i.S.H., acronym for 'World Inka Stage Hai' (World Is Their Stage), is all set to take I-pop to global platforms after the rise in pop cultures of K-pop and J-pop worldwide. 

The sassy quartet of Ri, Zo, Sim, and Suchi, India's first girl pop music band in the mainstream, are all set to become girl power changers and trendsetters in the music world, and they believe W.I.S.H. to be a catalyst to take over global platforms, leaving an impact. Their vision is to not just make an impact but also celebrate sisterhood and female empowerment.

W.i.S.H. has recently dropped their debut single 'Lazeez' (Tasty or Delicious in Urdu), marking a significant milestone in the music industry celebrating modern women, encouraging self-love, and embracing each individual's unique beauty through the electrifying beats and catchy rhythms with appealing pop culture reference video featuring quirky food references, blasts of colourful looks, and vibrant choreography with a bold message and infectious energy which is too-hard to miss. 

Paving the way for young generations to clench their musical dreams, singer Ri, in a BBC Asian interview said "If young girls see us and then decide to be pop stars, that is amazing. You can do whatever you want. The world is your stage, it's your oyster, You just have to believe in yourself."

Meet Ri, Zo, Sim, And Suchi

W.i.S.H. isn't just about catchy tunes and impressive dance moves; it's about the unique personalities of each member. Ri, Zo, Sim, and Suchi (Suchita Shirke) all bring their individual flair to the group, creating an undeniable chemistry that shines through in their performances.

Riya Duggal aka Ri is said to be the "Mama bear" of the group and the go-to person for advice and pep-talks as she is an 'elder sister' to another group member Sim, and apart from music Ri loves make-up, sports and fashion and experimenting with looks while sharing a big-little sister camaraderie with Sim as she states "Sim is the only one who can bully me and I love it."

Zoe Siddharth aka Zo is the sweet, calm, and positive person in the group who likes everyone around to be happy and cheerful with a love for painting and art. She believes in the power of kindness and is assertive and a powerhouse of confidence yet shy and an ambivert. Zo describes herself as quirky and awkward and doesn't mind making a fool of herself, but she embraces the way she is. 

Simran Duggal aka Sim, is the quirky, fun rulebreaker of the group and life of a party with a love for junk food and shopping not for clothes but for snacks grocery shopping. With a tinch of drama and a bossy nature, Sim is a fun person but states "If you get on my backside, it's not gonna end well." Talking about sisterhood, which is very important to the group, Sim expresses her joy to be with her sibling Ri, as she says "I'm just happy I and my sister are together for this experience."

Suchita Shirke aka Suchi is an outgoing, "gunda" of the group, being called "brat" by group members for her restless naughtiness. She is a sports lover calling herself a "sporty spice" of the group. A footballer and a 'Gooner' (Arsenal Fans) who prioritises a healthy lifestyle. As Suchi runs away from shopping and prefers comfortable clothes, she also loves dressing up with a rowdy look but a soft heart like a coconut. 

The girls' group are already showered with widespread love from the audience, already creating a fandom of 40.6k followers on Instagram just weeks after their music's release as many people are comparing the girls with global sensations BLACKPINK, Ariana Grande, Jenna Ortega, Oliva Rodrigo and Lisa Hayden in one frame. While the girls actively share their lifestyle and insights on their official Instagram handle. 

It's clear that W.i.S.H. isn't afraid to use its platform to make a statement while challenging the stereotypes. Get ready for a fresh sound, powerful messages, and undeniable talent. W.i.S.H. is here to take the Indian pop scene by storm, with undeniable on-stage chemistry yet not losing their individuality bringing flair to the band. They're definitely a group to keep an eye on!

Do not miss to watch their widely-praised song 'Lazeez' here: