Shaan: ‘My Cameo In ‘Brown’ Has Definitely Encouraged Me To Give Acting A Serious Shot’ (EXCLUSIVE)

For nearly three decades Shaan (real name: Shantanu Mukherjee) has remained one of Indian music’s most enduring and versatile icons. Known for his effortlessly smooth vocal texture, infectious energy and the innate ability to breathe life into everything from indie-pop anthems to emotional Bollywood playback tracks, he has served as the romantic voice for generations of cinema lovers. 

The singer is set to traverse a different sonic landscape as he takes the stage at Anandam – The Symphony of Devotion. Slated for June 27 at the Jio World Convention Centre in BKC, Mumbai, this grand, immersive devotional music spectacle will see Shaan sharing the stage with heavyweights like Sonu Nigam, Shankar Mahadevan, and the Nandy Sisters to reimagine traditional devotional music for a modern audience. 

In an exclusive interview with Variety India, Shaan speaks about the spiritual transformation behind singing for a higher power, the changing dynamics of the studio booth and stepping out of his comfort zone on screen.

How does your vocal approach, breath control and emotional delivery alter when you step on a stage like Anandam to sing for a higher power rather than a movie screen?

Commercial singing is fundamentally word-centric or poetry-centric. It is highly critical to pay close attention to the emotion and the expression of the song. Whether it is a film song, a happy track, or a sad ballad, you have to modulate your voice and deeply feel that specific emotion while performing.

Related Stories

Rekha Bhardwaj on ‘Kachaudi Gali’ and Viral Music Culture: ‘It’s Very Easy to Succumb to Mediocrity’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Shankar Mahadevan: ‘We Told Mr. Bachchan, ‘Trust Us, Kajra Re Will Be Bigger Than Nach Baliye’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Similarly, when rendering a spiritual or devotional song, it is not about being technical at all. It is strictly about channeling a sense of piousness, surrender, devotion, and the sheer elation that comes from singing in praise of God. Once you absorb those emotions into your system, the voice naturally emanates and communicates that sanctity. 

Do you feel modern, rhythmic arrangements make it easier for today's generation to tap into a spiritual side they previously found hard to access?

Compared to my own generation growing up, when I look at the youth today, I actually find them much more devotional, religious, and spiritually inclined. There is a visible resurgence of cultural pride, traditions, and bhajan singing.

With concepts like "bhajan clubbing" becoming trendy, devotional music has certainly become far more accessible and culturally cool for them. Beyond the trends, however, I see a genuinely deeper connection forming where the younger generation is actively engaging with their roots and traditions.

Does diving into spiritual music serve as an anchor or reset button for you personally? How does singing these melodies help you protect your peace?

I believe that everyone needs to tap into their spiritual side at some point in life. It fosters a deep sense of calm and allows you to settle into the belief that whatever happens is ultimately happening for your greater good.

That peace cannot truly manifest unless you surrender to a power or presence stronger and higher than yourself. In an industry defined by intense competition and constant uncertainty, you need a stable, solid anchor that gives you answers when all hope feels lost. For me, that stability can only be derived through devotion, faith, and spiritualism.

Events like Anandam unite you,, Sonu Nigam and Shankar Mahadevan together on one stage. Do you miss that sense of creative community in the studio today?

Oh yes, I deeply miss that sense of community. Back then, singers, composers, and writers worked cohesively together within the physical space of a studio. Today, things have become highly isolated. Everyone operates out of their individual home studios and dubs their parts remotely. Proper, collaborative music sessions are a rarity now.

Of course, we still experience that old camaraderie when we all run into each other at parties, where the fun spirits take over and we end up just singing away into the night. Whenever we meet, it is absolutely fantastic. However, I immensely miss the unique atmosphere of a physical studio—having the composer, director, lyricist, and co-singers all present in one room, creating magic through a genuine unison of collective energies. I truly wish we could bring that collaborative form of recording and music creation back.

You recently made an appearance in “Brown”. Is acting something you intend to pursue more seriously going forward?

I wouldn't look too deeply into my performance in “Brown” because it was a very brief cameo—I was literally in and out of the set. However, I am incredibly glad that the little role received such positive reactions. It has definitely encouraged me to give acting a serious shot and explore a few more of the opportunities that are currently coming my way. I am always game for trying new things, and the prospect of playing distinct character roles, experimenting with my looks, and expanding my horizons is highly exciting to me.