 While Rao was studying at college, she met with Mithoon, who called her for recording of the song "Tose Naina" from "Anwar" (2007).Considering the song as her "most innocent rendition" she had done, Rao said, "This song is extremely close to my heart and has taught me what thrill and gratitude of music is and can be".Though Rao credits "Tose Naina" as her career debut song, the soundtrack of the film "Ek Ajnabee" (2005) has a semi-instrumental track titled "Stranger On The Prowl" which has Rao's alap incorporated within it.