Monica Dogra / aka Shaa’ir

Monica Dogra was born in Olney, Maryland, to Dogra Hindu immigrants from Jammu, India. She grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, attending Oakleigh Elementary School, Montessori, and Dulaney High School. She pursued higher education at New York University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Musical Theatre. Her early life and academic background laid the foundation for a career that would blend her passion for music and performance across different cultural landscapes.

Dogra’s professional journey began significantly in 2005 when she co-founded the electro-rock band Shaa’ir+Func with guitarist Randolph Correia. The duo released their debut album, “New Day: The Love Album,” in 2007, followed by “Light Tribe” in 2008 and “Mantis” in 2010. Concurrently with her musical endeavors, Monica stepped into the film industry, making a guest appearance in the 2008 film “Rock On!!” Her acting career gained further momentum with a lead role in Kiran Rao’s directorial debut, “Dhobi Ghat,” in 2011, a role she initially declined but subsequently accepted. This marked a significant turning point, establishing her presence in both the music and film sectors.

Throughout her career, Monica has consistently expanded her artistic footprint. She has released five studio albums with Shaa’ir and Func and has acted in six feature films, including “David” (2013), “Fireflies” (2014), “The Spectacular Jihad of Taz Rahim” (2015), and “Teraa Surroor” (2016). Beyond music and film, Dogra has ventured into television, serving as a judge on India’s English music talent show “The Stage” and hosting four seasons of “The Dewarists,” a musical collaborative series nominated for a Cannes Lion. She also contributed to the Viceland Emmy-nominated series “Woman,” produced by Gloria Steinem, and appeared in web series such as “The Married Woman” (2021), “Cartel” (2021), and “Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo” (2023).