Nora Fatehi likes to colour outside the lines

It wouldn’t be quite right to say that Nora Fatehi is finally coming into her own, for she has been a sought-after star in Bollywood for almost a decade. However, the current era of hers finally feels…more her. She concurs. “My debut EP (yet to be released) is very close to my heart because it’s the first time I’m putting out a body of work that really represents who I am as an artist. It’s going to be a blend of sounds and all the influences that have shaped me, but in a way that feels fresh and global,” she tells Cosmo.  

When Fatehi signed a recording contract with Warner Music Group in 2024, she knew she was onto something. Since then, the 33-year-old has dropped one banger after another. The one that made the most noise still remains 'Snake', in collaboration with American singer-songwriter Jason Derulo. Talking about how it came together, Fatehi mentions that it was American producer Tommy Brown who felt it would be the best fit for Derulo and her to work on it together. “We (Derulo and Fatehi) both wanted to create something that felt global but still had that unique factor. We pushed each other to bring our best, and I think that’s why 'Snake' feels so powerful as a track, and visually as well. It was definitely one of those collaborations that reminded me why I love doing what I do,” she says.

Her latest single, 'Oh Mama! Tetema', in collaboration with Tanzanian musician and songwriter, Rayvanny is the kind of earworm you can’t shake off. For Fatehi, the track was about celebrating rhythm and culture unapologetically, while making sure the choreography stood out on its own. And this wasn’t the first time the duo teamed up. Back in 2019 they joined forces for 'Pepeta'—Fatehi’s very first international single as both singer and producer. “We vibe really well in the studio and on set,” she shares, adding: “We both push each other to experiment and bring our A-game. I think that synergy is what makes the track and video so special.”

Actor, performer, singer; Fatehi wears many hats, and on tracks like 'Snake' and 'Oh Mama! Tetema', she wore pretty much all of them at once. From vocals and choreography to styling and production, she was involved every step of the way. “I’ve always believed in being hands-on with my work because creativity has so many layers, and I love exploring all of them. For me, it’s about creating a full experience, not just one piece of it,” she says.

Seeking authenticity

When trying something new or stepping into uncharted territory, there’s always that pesky little voice in  your head that says, “What if I don’t get it right?” Even Fatehi isn’t immune to this. But, she has learnt that growth only happens when you push yourself beyond comfort. “For me, it’s about shifting that fear into motivation,” she claims. “I remind myself why I started, why I’m so passionate about creating, and that even if I stumble at first, it’s part of the process. Practice, discipline, and persistence are my biggest tools.” she adds. 

With Moroccan roots, Canadian upbringing, and a career based in India and beyond, Fatehi’s journey has been a mix of cultures, and she sees that as a superpower. “I feel that’s exactly what shaped me into the artist I am today,” she notes. The Moroccan connection gave her a sense of rhythm, tradition, and storytelling through music and dance. While Canada exposed her to global sounds and styles and opened her mind to diversity and blending genres. India taught her discipline, resilience, and the beauty of expressing emotion through performance. It gave her a platform to explore not just artistry, but also her connection with audiences. 

This range shows in her acting, too Her characters in this year’s The Royals and Be Happy couldn’t be more different. “For The Royals, I focused on understanding the emotional depth, motivations, and subtle expressions that made the character believable and layered. It was about internalising her world and mindset so that every gesture or glance felt authentic.” But for Be Happy, she had to tap into something which was more fun and expressive. “Switching between the two comes down to fully immersing myself in each character’s mindset and environment. I often use music, movement, or even wardrobe cues to help me transition,” she shares.  

Fatehi’s journey in the movie industry wasn’t without hurdles. Language was one of the biggest challenges she faced when she first moved to Mumbai in 2014. “Learning Hindi, and really understanding the nuances of expression and emotion on screen, took time,” she reflects. “Bollywood has such a rich history and a very specific way of storytelling, so understanding that while also staying true to myself was a learning curve,” she continues. Most of all, there were moments of doubt, when people questioned if she could fit in or connect with the audience. 

Reimagining the story

Fatehi wishes people saw this hard work and discipline more. “I want people to know that I’m deeply passionate about the creative process. I love experimenting, learning, and pushing my own limits, even behind the scenes. There’s a lot of thought, effort, and emotion that goes into everything I do, and that side of me isn’t always visible, but it’s a huge part of who I am as an artist,” she opens up.

​​In an industry where you can’t always control how people portray or perceive you, Fatehi responds by being consistent and aiming to expand her audience globally. “That means being very involved in my work, from the music I create, to my roles, to styling, choreography, and even how I present myself publicly,” she explains. “The more hands-on I am, the more authentic the final expression becomes. I also focus on building a strong personal brand and voice, so even if something gets interpreted differently, people understand who I am and what I stand for.”

From the American Music Awards earlier this year to the Louis Vuitton S/S ‘26 Menswear show at Paris Fashion Week, Fatehi has been everywhere lately. “To be personally invited by Pharrell (Williams), someone I deeply admire, was an honour,” she shares. “He’s someone who’s constantly redefining culture and fashion, so being part of that moment felt very special.” 

With an EP and a global tour on the way, plus a string of films in the works, Fatehi is making sure her fans never know what to expect next. She’s also headlining Kanchana 4, the next installment in actor-filmmaker Raghava Lawrence’s blockbuster franchise. “I want people to see different shades of me in each project, and I feel really fortunate to have such opportunities across films and music.” 

Editor: Snigdha Ahuja (@snigdha.ahuja)
Digital Editor: Sonal Ved (@sonalved)
Interview: Ananya Rai (@anniiiiiiiee)
Photographer: Amitava Saha (@amitabhbachpan)
Stylist: Who Wore What When (@who_wore_what_when); Pranay Jaitly (@pranayjaitly) and Shounak Amonkar (@shounakamonkar)
Cover Design: Mandeep Singh Khokhar (@mandy_khokhar19)
Editorial Coordinator: Shalini Kanojia (@shalinikanojia)
Makeup Artist: Kiran Denzongpa (@kirandenzongpa) represented by Feat. Artists (@featartists)
Hair Artist: Daksh Nidhi (@dakshhnidhi) represented by TAP (@theartistsproject)
Fashion Assistants: Shubham J (@d.shubham_j), Tapaswini Dalai (tapaswini_dalai), Niharika Singh (nihar1kaa), and Gopika (@goppikaaa_)
Location Courtesy: Istituto Marangoni, Mumbai (@istitutomarangoni_mumbai)

On Nora: Jacket dress, Qua (@qua.clothing); skirt, Moonray (@studiomoonray); jewellery, Radhika Agrawal (@radhikaagrawalstudio); footwear, Saint G (@saintgworld)