Shantanu Mukherjee
(born 30 September 1972), known as Shaan, is an Indian playback singer, actor and television presenter active in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Assamese, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Marathi and Urdu language films and a television host. He hosted the shows Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs, Star Voice of India and STAR Voice of India 2. In Music Ka Maha Muqabla, his team, Shaan’s Strikers, finished as the runners up to Shankar Mahadevan’s team. He appeared as a judge in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs 2014–2015 and The Voice India Kids 2016. In 2015 and 2016, Shaan was the winning coach in each of the first two seasons of The Voice. In 2016, in The Voice India Kids, he was the coach of the runner-up contestant. His two sisters Sagarika and Sagari are also a singer and actress.
Early life
Shaan with wife Radhika
Shaan was born on 30 September 1972 in a Bengali Brahmin family. His grandfather was Jahar Mukherjee, a well known lyricist, his father late Manas Mukherjee, was a music director and his sister Sagarika is a singer as well. He grew up in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Early years and music albums
Shaan began his career singing jingles for advertisements. After giving it up for a brief period, he returned and, along with jingles, began to sing remixes and cover versions.
Shaan and his sister signed up with Magnasound recording company and recorded a few successful albums, including the hit album Naujawan followed by Q-Funk.
He entered the pop scene with sister Sagarika, singing Biddu’s melodies and doing re-mixes. Then came Roop Tera Mastana, a remix album of R.D. Burman’s songs, that brought them further into the limelight. Later, Shaan launched Love-Ology after this.
In 1999, He wrote the lyrics of the ballad “Bhool Ja” on his album Tanha Dil, which appeared in the charts within days of its release and was popular on radio. In 2000, he sang a superhit song “Tanha Dil Tanha Safar”. This song is also used in his sister’s album Mere Liye in 2001.
In 2002, he won the MTV Asia Award for Favorite Artist India for best solo album for his album Tanha Dil. One year later, Shaan launched his album Aksar, which was successful and contained songs featuring international stars such as Blue, Mel C and Samira Said. For both the albums Tanha Dil and Aksar, Shaan sang, composed and wrote the lyrics of all the songs, except the title track “Tanha Dil”, which was composed by Ram Sampath.
He released Tomar Aakash in 2004, a Bengali album, along with his sister and featuring his father’s unreleased songs. He also plans to release an album remaking his father’s compositions with his sister in Hindi. He recently sang one of his father’s compositions on sets of STAR Plus’s Music Ka Maha Muqqabla.
In 2006, he released a song with MLTR, “Take me to your heart”. The song appears on his album Tishnagi, which is produced by Ranjit Barot and engineered by Ashish Manchanda. The song “Shuruaat” on his album Tishnagi was made into a music video to promote the film, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Apart from studio albums, he also sang several other albums songs such as Channel Hits, Bollywood Sensation 2, Club Class, A Reason To Smile, The Ultimate Party Album, Maa (his sister’s album), Mon, Akou Mon, Mere Liye (his sister’s album), Bodo Asha Kore, Hoyoth Prem, Khoji Tare, Notes from a peculiar time in Space etc.
Playback singing
Apart from singing on his own albums, Shaan has provided the voice for many of Bollywood’s leading actors. He made his debut as a playback singer where he sang a single line song “Kitni Hai Pyari Pyari” along with his younger sister in the film Parinda when he was only seventeen. The film was successful and established himself as one of the leading playback singers in Bollywood.
Shaan (left) with Vishnu Mishra (right)
Shaan sang, composed the music and wrote the lyrics of his songs on his albums Loveology, Tanha Dil, Aksar and Tishnagi, and has also composed music for many TV serials, winning the “Best TV music director award”. Shaan also gives advice on music and lyrics to the music directors for whom he sings.
Shaan has sung playback vocals for several hit Bollywood films, including Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi, Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai, Jhankaar Beats, Lakshya, Kaante, Dil Chahta Hai, Kal Ho Na Ho, Hum Tum, Dhoom, Dus, Salaam Namaste, Fight Club – Members Only, Koi Mil Gaya, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S, Don – The Chase Begins Again, Fanaa, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Masti, Om Shanti Om, Ta Ra Rum Pum, Partner, Welcome, Saawariya, Jab We Met, 3 Idiots, Taare Zameen Par, PK and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. Shaan sang “Hakka Bakka” in Ankhon Dekhi.
Shaan has provided the vocals for many Bengali, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Marathi, Assamese, Malayalam, Odia and Sindhi film songs. Popular songs by Shaan include “Musu Musu” (influenced by a hit Nepali song); “Wo Pehli Baar” from Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi; “Tune Mujhe Pehchaana Nahin” from Raju Chacha; “Apni Yaadon Ko” from Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat; “Nikamma Kiya Is Dil Ne” from Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa; “O Re Kanchi” from Asoka; “Yeh Hawein” from Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai; “Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe” and “Woh Ladki Hai Kahan” from Dil Chahta Hai; “Subha Ho Gayi Mamu” from Munna Bhai M.B.B.S; “Suno Na” and “Tera Muskurana” from Jhankaar Beats; “It’s The Time To Disco” and “Kuch To Hua Hai” from Kal Ho Na Ho; “En Panchhiyon” from Koi Mil Gaya“Prem Hoy je keno” from Teen Patti;”Dus Bahane” from Dus; “Shikdum” from Dhoom; “Main Aisa Kyun Hoon” from Lakshya; “Ladki Kyun” from Hum Tum; “My Dil Goes Mmmm” from Salaam Namaste; “Where’s The Party Tonight” and “Rock And Roll Soniye” from Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna; “Chori Chori Chhora Chhori” from Masti; “Ae Kemon Chelebaba” and “Amar Priyotoma” from Priyotoma; “Main Hoon Don” from Don – The Chase Begins Again; “Hey Shona” from Ta Ra Rum Pum; “Do U Wanna Partner” and “You’re My Love” from Partner; “Insha Allah” and “Welcome” from Welcome; “Bum Bum Bole” from Taare Zameen Par; “Aao milo chalo” from Jab We Met, “Kuch Kam” from Dostana; “Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh” from 3 Idiots; the popular songs “Chand Sifarish” from the movie Fanaa; “Dastaan-e-Om Shanti Om” from the movie Om Shanti Om; “Jab Se Tere Naina” from the movie Saawariya, “Do You Know” from Housefull 2, “Cinema Dekhe Mamma” from Singh is Bling, “Tere Naina” from Jai Ho, “Chaar Kadam” from PK, and “Aj Unse Milna Hai” from Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. He has sung a few Nepali songs in Nepali films and albums, among which the song “Adha Jindagi” has become popular.
He has many songs in Kannada films. He has lent his voice to Kannada actors such as Puneet Rajkumar, Darshan, Shivrajkumar, Ganesh and Duniya Vijay. A few songs to mention are; “Eno Onthara” from Hudugata; “Thara Thara Onthara” from Bindaas; “Amma Amma I Love You” from Maurya; “Shuruvaagide” from Maleyali Jotheyali; “Kudinotave Manamohaka” from Parichaya; “Jotheyalli Nee Baaro” from Jothegara; “O Jeevave” from Shyloo; the title track from the film Honganasu; “Savi Savi” from Chanda; “Nannaane Naa” from Thamassu; “Anthu Inthu” from Munjaane; “Kalli Neenu” from Dandam Dashagunam; “Warrenta” from Challidaru Sampigeya; “Miruguthide” from Parie; “Olave Neenillade” from Kalaakaar; “Bahumaanavade” from Ninagagey Kaadiruve; “Khushiyalli” from Prince; “Yeh Jambhada” from Love; “Ellindalo Ondu” from Prema Chandrama; “Yamma Yamma” from Rowdy Aliya; the title track from Dhan Dhan Dhana; “Gaaliyalli Kavanava” from Baaji; “Hottotho Munchene” from Preethi Nee Shashvathana; “Hudugi Hudugi” from Meshtru; “Naa Haadoke” from Bisile; “Nee Thandiruve” from Karthik; “Neeli Neeli” from Machcha; “Neenu Ninthare” from Kool; “Ninna Nenedare” from Sihigaali; the title track from the film Ale; and “Usire Usire” from Hebbuli.
He has recently recorded a playback for an upcoming Bengali feature film Network which is composed by Dabbu.
Musical show hosting
Shaan hosted the television show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa on Zee TV between the years 2000–2006, which won the Music Programme of the Year award at the Indian Telly Awards in 2003. In 2007, he left and was replaced by 21-year-old Aditya Narayan. At the same awards, Shaan won Best TV Music Director, for creating the music of the Zee TV show, Lipstick, for his friend Goldie Behl. He also appeared as the guest in the first episode of the new show Antakshari: The Great Challenge which aired on 9 February 2007 on Star One.
Shaan is now the host of a music show called Star Voice of India (SVOI) which airs on Star Plus. He was offered the role of host for Star Voice of India Chote Ustaad, but opted out to spend time with his family. However, he returned to host the next season of Star Voice of India.
In June 2015, Shaan was introduced as a coach in the first season of the singing-based reality TV show The Voice, appearing with a swollen face caused by an exercising accident. He was the coach of Pawandeep Rajan, the eventual winner. In 2016, in season 2, he again was the winning coach, of contestant Farhan Sabir. In 2016, in The Voice India Kids, he was the coach of the runner-up contestant.
International acclaim and other projects
Shaan is one of the few Indian singers who have collaborated with international singers. After working with blue for the song “One Love” and singing the theme song (“Shuruaat”) for the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Shaan collaborated with Michael Learns to Rock for his album Tishnagi. Shaan also composed six of the album’s nine tracks and penned most of the songs, excluding the number Take Me To Your Heart with Michael Learns to Rock. The video of this number has been popular too.
Shaan has sung the title songs for many TV shows, including the title song for the comedy show Khichdi, which airs on Star Plus. He also sang the title song for Shakuntala, which airs on Star One.
Along with singing, Shaan has acted in the movie Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence, also starring Raveena Tandon. His songs have appeared in the movies, Zameen and Hungama.
Shaan often performs for Pro Shows which are conducted as a part of the cultural festivals of various colleges. Among the prominent festivals where he has performed live recently are Moksha at NSIT (New Delhi), PULSE at AIIMS (New Delhi), Recstacy at NIT Durgapur, Spring Fest at IIT Kharagpur, REBECA at IIEST Shibpur, Mood Indigo at IIT Bombay, Ragam at NIT Calicut, Anakronos at Techno India, Alcheringa at IIT Guwahati, Riviera (festival) at VIT University and Crossroads at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) (New Delhi). Recently he has performed live in Fun@Work Oracle Event at Bangalore. Previously he had performed in an IBM event “Imprint 2008, Hyderabad” for IBM GBS exclusively.
Shaan performing at an IBM event IMPRINT 2008
He said in an interview that music directors are avoiding established singers to bring some novelty into the playback singing, while compromising on the quality. Auto tuning software ensures that even a rough voice can sound good during the final recording and release of the song.
Shaan has been a judge on many talent shows. Shaan is a team captain, judge and mentor on STAR Plus’s Music Ka Maha Muqqabla for the team Shaan’s Strikers. His team won the Runner-up prize, amounting to Rs. 2.5 million (Rs. 2.5 million) in this game show on 20 March 2010, losing to Shanker Mahadevan and his team, with 43.1 points to 46.3 points.
Shaan performed live alongside Atif Aslam, Malaika Arora Khan and Bipasha Basu for the first time in a series of concerts in Birmingham and London in the summer of 2012.
Shaan has also been one of the 4 finalists of the dance show Jhalak Dikhla Jaa 2013.
Discography
Shaan’s discography contains thirteen studio albums, thirteen compilation albums, seven remix albums, and eight other albums.
Studio albums
| Year | Details | Tracklist |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Alive & Kicking
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| 1993 | Keep On Moving
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| 1996 | Naujawan
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| 1997 | Love-Ology
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| 2000 | Tanha Dil
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| 2003 | Aksar
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| 2004 | Tumar Akash
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| 2006 | Tishnagi
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| 2010 | Khola Hawowa
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| 2011 | Bodo Asha Kore
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| 2014 | Hoyoth Prem
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| 2016 | Khoji Tare
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| 2018 | Notes From A Peculiar Time In Space
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Remix albums
| Year | Album details | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Oorja | Magnasound |
| Roop Inka Mastana | ||
| 1996 | Dance Masti | Dance Pool Sony Music |
| 1997 | Club Class | Magnasound |
| 1999 | Return of Dance Masti | Sony Music |
| 2002 | Dance Masti Again | |
| 2006 | Dance Masti Forever |
Compilation albums
| Year | Album details | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Channel Hits | Magnasound |
| 1997 | Party Zone | |
| Colgate – A Reason to Smile | ||
| 1998 | The Ultimate Party Album | |
| 1999 | Now That’s What I Call Indipop | Sony Music |
| 2000 | Smash Hits | Magnasound |
| 2001 | Santiago Fiesta Latina: Bollywood Goes Latino (Vol I, II and III) |
EMI Virgin Records |
| 2002 | Hitz Unlimited | Zee Records |
| Yaaron: Friends Forever | Sony Music | |
| Bhool Ja and Other Hits | Virgin Records | |
| 2004 | Shaan Se – Kya Aap Closeup Karte Hai? | Virgin Records |
| 2007 | Love Story | |
| 2012 | Best of Shaan | Universal Music |
Other albums
| Year | Album details | Languages | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Bollywood Jhumka Gira Re (as a singer) |
Hindi | T-Series |
| Bollywood Sensation 2 (as a singer and composer) |
Oriental Star Agencies | ||
| 1997 | Tumi Mor Anchalar Dhan (as a singer) |
Assamese | Vee Gee Audio Pvt. Ltd |
| Shardhanjaali (As a backing vocalist) |
Hindi | NK Production | |
| Anbe…India (As a backing vocalist) |
Tamil | Magnasound Sony Music |
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| 1998 | Maa (as a singer and songwriter) |
Hindi | |
| 2000 | Mon (as a singer) |
Assamese | Regional Music Centre |
| 2001 | Tumar Dekhu Priya (as a singer) |
Vee Gee Audio Pvt. Ltd | |
| Akou Mon (as a singer) |
Regional Music Centre | ||
| Mere Liye (as a singer and songwriter) |
Hindi | BMG Crescendo Virgin Records Raj Music Sagarika Music |
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| 2003 | Megharani (as a singer) |
Bengali | Regional Music Centre |
Filmography
Films
| Year | Film | Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Tarkieb | Special appearance in the song “Dil Mera Tarse” | Hindi |
| 2001 | Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence | Kaushik Nath | Hindi |
| 2001 | Asoka | Special appearance in the song “O Re Kaanchi” | Hindi |
| 2003 | Hungama | Special appearance in the song “Chain Aapko Mila” | Hindi |
| 2003 | Zameen | As himself | Hindi |
| 2006 | The Bong Connection | Special appearance in the song “Majhi Re” | Bengali |
| 2007 | Loins of Punjab Presents | As himself | English |
| 2008 | Hari Puttar: A Comedy of Terrors | As Himself | Hindi |
| 2014 | Balwinder Singh Famous Ho Gaya | Balwinder Singh | Hindi |
| 2014 | Teen Patti | As himself | Bengali |
| 2017 | Secret Superstar | Cameo | Hindi |
| 2018 | Helicopter Eela | Cameo | Hindi |
Television
| Year | Show | Language | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-2005 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa | Hindi | Host |
| 2005-2006 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 | Hindi | Host |
| 2006 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Ek Main Aur Ek Tu | Hindi | Host |
| 2006 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs | Hindi | Host |
| 2007 | Amul STAR Voice of India | Hindi | Host |
| 2008 | STAR Voice of India 2 | Hindi | Host |
| 2009 | 1st Mirchi Music Awards | Hindi | Host |
| 2009–2010 | Music Ka Maha Muqqabla | Hindi | Superstar captain of Shaan’s Strikers |
| 2010 | Ishaan: Sapno Ko Awaaz De | Hindi | Himself |
| 2011 | 3rd Mirchi Music Awards | Hindi | Host |
| 25 March 2012 | 4th Mirchi Music Awards | Hindi | Host |
| 2013 | Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa – Season 6 | Hindi | Contestant |
| 2014–2015 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs 2014–2015 | Hindi | Judge |
| 2015–2017 | The Voice India | Hindi | Coach/Judge |
| 2016 | The Voice India Kids | Hindi | Coach |
| 2017 | The Voice India Kids | Hindi | Judge/Coach |
| 2019 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs 2019 | Hindi | Judge |
| 2020 | Super Singer | Bengali | Judge |
Advisor
Currently, he is a member of the Board of Advisors of India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (I.I.M.U.N.).
Awards
Shaan’s song “Chand Sifarish” (from the movie Fanaa) and “Jab Se Tere Naina” (from Saawariya) won the Filmfare Best Male Playback Award and the Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer – Male, in addition to receiving several other nominations. In 2002, he won the MTV Asia Music Award for best solo album for his album Tanha Dil, however he did not go to Singapore and did not attended the Award Ceremonies due to his busy in his sister’s wedding ceremony. Following are the list of awards and nominations in different categories.
| Year | Category | Song | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTV Asia Music Awards | ||||
| 2002 | Best Solo Album | “Tanha Dil” | Won | |
| Zee Cine Award | ||||
| 2008 | Best Playback Singer – Male | “Jab Se Tere Naina” from Saawariya | Won | |
| 2007 | Best Playback Singer – Male | “Chand Sifarish” from Fanaa | Won | |
| 2004 | Best Playback Singer – Male | “Suno Na” from Jhankaar Beats | Won | |
| Bollywood Movie Awards | ||||
| 2007 | Best Male Playback | “Chand Sifarish” from Fanaa | Won | |
| Star Screen Awards | ||||
| 2007 | Best Male Playback | “Chand Sifarish” from Fanaa | Won | |
| Filmfare | ||||
| 2008 | Best Male Playback Award | “Jab Se Tere Naina” from Saawariya | Won | |
| 2007 | Best Male Playback Award | “Chand Sifarish” from Fanaa | Won | |
| 2005 | Best Male Playback Award | “Dus Bahane” from Dus | Nominated | |
| 2002 | Best Male Playback Award | “Nikamma” from Kya Dil Ne Kahan | Nominated | |
| 2001 | Best Playback Singer – Male | “Koi Kahein Kehta Raahein” from Dil Chahta Hai | Nominated | |
| Filmfare – South | ||||
| 2014 | Kannada cinema: Best Playback Singer – Male | “Kannalle Kannittu” from Shravani Subramanya | Nominated | |
| IIFA | ||||
| 2010 | Best Male Playback Award | “Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh” from 3 Idiots | Won | |
| 2008 | Best Male Playback Award | “Jab Se Tere Naina” from Saawariya | Won | |
| 2007 | Best Male Playback Award | “Chand Sifarish” from Fanaa | Won | |
Tours
- In 2004, Shaan toured India for his album Aksar.
- In June 2006, Shaan toured North America, singing for fans all over the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.
- In November 2006, he toured the Netherlands, Singapore, Fiji, Suriname, and Australia with fellow singer Sunidhi Chauhan.
- In April 2007, he toured Dubai and Oman with music director Jatin.
- In July 2018, he toured North America, as “Shaan Love in Concert” with Live2U.
- In October 2019, he toured North America with Live2U.