Subhi has officially carved her name into the history books by becoming the first South Asian artist to sing in Punjabi for a Hollywood animated film. Her song Higher Love which featured in The Smurfs Movie, is a celebration of cultural fusion one that blends global pop sounds with the lyrical rhythm of Punjabi. In an exclusive conversation with News 24 the singer shared, “I’m so grateful to have been part of this amazing track, Higher Love. At the time, I didn’t realize I was making history as the first South Asian artist to sing in Punjabi for a Hollywood animated film. It was actually my label that flagged it they did some research and confirmed it. When I found out, it felt surreal. What a proud moment to bring my language and culture to a global platform in such a joyful, celebratory way.
The Creative Spark Behind The Track
Interestingly, Higher Love wasn’t initially created with Hollywood in mind. Talking about this Subhi revealed, “Ty Ty Smith, who’s the co-founder of Desi Trill and also a producer on The Smurfs movie, brought this opportunity to us and I’m so grateful to have been part of this amazing track, Higher Love.”
When asked do you think this moment opens more doors for regional Indian languages in global entertainment? What would you like to see next or something about your upcoming projects! The global star revealed, “I think we’re already seeing a shift more and more South Asian artists are bringing Desi music to the global stage. The lines are beginning to blur, and there’s a growing openness to collaborating across languages and cultures. From movies to moments like the Oscars, there’s clearly more space now for regional Indian languages in global entertainment. And this feels like just the beginning. I’d love to collaborate with artists from around the world and continue experimenting with my vocals and songwriting in new ways. I’m excited for what’s ahead and truly hope this year brings more opportunities to build those bridges through music.”
Sharing The Stage With Icons: Shakti & Ali Sethi
When asked about the experience of working with legends like Ali Sethi and Shakti and what was it like sharing space with such iconic artists Subhi shared, “Opening for the legendary band Shakti was an unforgettable experience. They’re all masters of their craft, and yet, when I met them after the show, what stood out most was their humility. Despite their iconic status, they were down to earth, curious, and still so open to learning and growing. That kind of mindset was incredibly inspiring to witness. It was also a joy to open for Ali Sethi during his U.S. tour in Chicago. I’ve always admired his vocal style there’s so much soul and depth in the way he sings. I loved how he connected with the audience so effortlessly, often improvising and making each moment feel personal and alive. It reminded me of the power of presence on stage.”
Further on, Subhi also talked about her experience of recording the Punjabi track for the Hollywood film “Smurfs” and said, “When we first started working on Higher Love, none of us knew it would end up being pitched for The Smurfs movie. We were simply creating something we believed in, without any expectation of where it might go and there’s something so pure and fulfilling about that kind of creative process. The English sections had already been written by Natania and a few other amazing writers and I was brought in by Natania to add the Punjabi elements. When I stepped into the room to work on that section, it was pure magic. I wanted the Punjabi part to feel just as empowering and memorable as the rest of the song so the lyrics and melody had to shine. We jammed on a bunch of ideas until we found something that felt right. The Punjabi section brings such a cool contrast, it’s unexpected, but when it arrives, it adds a burst of energy and joy. I’m so proud of how it all came together.”
Turning Cultural Challenges Into Creative Strengths
When she was asked as a woman with particularly with roots in both India and the U.S. did you face any discrimination or unexpected challenges while trying to break into Hollywood or the international music industry? How did you navigate those moments? Subhi replied, “I’m truly grateful that my journey into creating music for Hollywood has been a smooth and welcoming one. People have believed in my talent and treated me with kindness and respect. I know that’s not always the case, so I don’t take it for granted.
I also think a lot of it comes down to timing being at the right place at the right moment, and being prepared when the opportunity comes. Of course, as a woman navigating two cultures, there are always subtle challenges, but I’ve focused on staying true to my voice, putting in the work, and surrounding myself with people who believe in what I bring to the table.”
