Shaan: No more anchoring for me, I am excited about composing music

Shantanu Mukherjee aka Shaan has delivered numerous superhit songs in various languages. No wonder then that his first single, ‘Tum Ho Toh’, has become a chart topper soon after its recent release. The video, starring Taapsee Pannu and Saqib Saleem, and produced by Bhushan Kumar, is going viral online.

Shaan is a darling of music directors, having given such hits as Musu Musu Hasi, Woh Pehli Baar, Dus Bahaane, Chand Sifarish, Om Shanti Om and Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh. But he is one of the rare singers who has managed to balance his film commitments with his non-film songs. And he has some exciting projects ahead.

Excerpts from an interview:

Please share your experiences, growing up with music.

Music has always my companion and my consciousness. At home, I grew up with music constantly around me. My father Manas Mukherjee was a talented music composer and singer. My mother has been a singer. My sister Sagarika constantly hummed melodies at home. My parents are my first gurus who introduced me to music.

Please share your journey from pop to playback.

I never planned my career. Things happened and I just went with the flow. As a child I sang jingles for advertisements. Later on I began to sing remixes and cover versions. My first playback was in the movie Parinda when I was only 17. Since we had a strong western sensibility and Indian roots, when it came to singing… pop singing came naturally to me. My sister Sagarika teamed up with me and we recorded a few successful albums. Then I was offered Musu Musu and Woh Pehli Baar. I never looked back after that.

Following in your dad’s footsteps, you have become a music director. Tell us something about it.

My father has always been my inspiration… as a singer, a composer, as a human being. It is a natural advancement to take up composing. However, singing will always remain my first passion. Previously, I composed music for my albums. Recently, I have taken up music direction for movies.

What are your views regarding reality shows that are happening today?

Reality shows are the best thing that could happen to upcoming and talented singers. They get a crash course on music and where they stand among all the competition today. Few find success but they surely get a wonderful opportunity to learn and polish their skills further.

With the auto tune system being introduced into recordings nowadays, anybody can claim to be a singer. What are your views regarding this?

With auto tune and pitch correction becoming a norm in dubbing vocals nowadays, it surely has become easier for singers. The downside is that many voices that lack sensibilities of music and rendition are being preferred because of their raw and untrained tonality. This is very discouraging for trained singers.

You are a popular anchor and great mimic. You had also hosted popular reality shows on television. Will you consider doing the same in future if any such offer comes your way?

I enjoyed my stint as anchor/host and learnt a lot from it. I gained confidence in public speaking. However, now I am not too keen to pursue anchoring further. It’s a case of been there done that. But as they say, never say never. Mimicking is a forte… I get carried away, but often regret it as I feel I have hurt sentiments, although unintentionally.

What are your hobbies apart from music ?

Music is my primary passion and hobby. My passion has become my profession. Besides music, I enjoy travelling, reading and gaining knowledge and information on miscellaneous topics. I have a growing interest in politics as well.

You have also acted in movies. Do you want to continue acting in future?

I had first acted in Kalpana Lajmi’s film Daman. Then I acted in Balwinder Singh Famous Ho Gaya. I enjoyed acting. It was fun. However, I need to be cautious as not to take another acting assignment that will have disastrous consequences like my previous attempt.

How far is western influence affecting Indian music?

Bollywood music has always been influenced by the music from the West, infact a lot more in the ’50s and ’60s than now. Though we hear an occasional dub step, EDM or house music production in Hindi film songs, the melodies have largely been original these days. Over the years, the walls have broken and Bollywood music has been able to steer clear of any specific sound or structure.

What are your forthcoming projects as singer as well as music director?

As a singer, Gulzar Saab’s Conversation with Tagore composed by Shantanu Moitra and co-sung by Shreya Ghoshal is set to release very soon. My Nazrul Geeti album is also about to release. I have a few film songs but haven’t kept track. These days until the soundtrack is released you cannot tell if your song is there or not. As composers Superbia (Gourov Dasgupta, Roshin Balu and I) have quite a few releases this year: Great Grand Masti, Coffee with D, Baabaaa Black Sheep, Yaara, Bank Chor, Bombarriaa and Weekend. I am very excited and hoping as composers my team and I can make a mark and create a strong identity of our own.

Watch ‘Tum Ho Toh’ here: