India was recognised on multiple occasions at Cannes 2024. Filmmaker Payal Kapadia garnered a lot of attention and praise for her film. We all imagine ourselves as lightMoreover, at the Bharat Parv event, playback singer Shaan took pride in introducing three rising pop stars to the audience including his 18-year-old son Mahi.
The talented teen, who debuted with his video single ‘Sorry’ earlier this year, has debuted with his second single ‘Jadugri’, produced by his elder brother Soham. Unmindful of the scale of the stage, the teen impressed the audience with his performance and the family enjoyed every moment.
After returning to Mumbai, Shaan, Mahi and Soham shared their Cannes experiences, strengthening their bond through music and sharing their journey through a video call. Their conversation was filled with laughter, memories and a deep appreciation for the time they spent together as a family.
Coming between his sons to fit into the frame, Shaan says, “Soham graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, which was a proud moment for us as parents. We were fortunate to witness his graduation ceremony first and were thrilled to see Mahi’s first international performance. It has been a wonderful and memorable year for our family.”
Mahi described her experience at Cannes as “incredible”. “The occasion was mind-blowing. I have to admit I was a bit nervous at first. But my family’s support helped calm that nerve. Cannes is a very special place, full of people who appreciate all forms of art. It was an amazing experience to be there.”
For Soham, the making of ‘Jaadugri’ was special as it involved his brother Mahi. He says, “Usually, my production work is quite solitary, involving following the artistes’ instructions and creating music accordingly. However, this project was different. Mahi’s involvement added a personal touch that elevated the entire process. His inputs and our shared creativity made the production incredibly seamless and smooth, along with composer Sudan Bhosle,” he adds, “This is a project that holds a special place for both of us, not just as artistes, but as brothers creating something meaningful together.”
Migration of Shan
Shaan’s album Lonely heart, Released in the late 1990s, it was a significant milestone in his career, marking his rise as a major pop star in the Indian music scene. Can the song ‘Sorry’ be considered a breakthrough track for Mahi? He hesitates to make such a comparison. While admitting that ‘Sorry’ may be a step towards achieving such success, Mahi does not consider ‘Sorry’ to be on a par with ‘Tanha Dil’ at this point. “My priority is to consistently release more music and connect with my audience through quality”.
Mahi acknowledges his resemblance to his father’s voice, but emphasizes his effort to maintain his individual musical identity. “I value dad’s advice about taking inspiration from diverse artists. I want to integrate all influences and discover my own unique style and expression.
Science of music
Soham’s approach to his education and subsequent potential career in the music industry is strategic and visionary. After pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Industry at USC, he preferred law, business and technology over traditional music training, which leveraged his existing musical foundation. “I intend to sort out contracts, production deals and copyright issues. This will combine artistic expression with business acumen,” says Soham.
Shaan says there is no pressure on his sons to follow in his footsteps. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Shaan has been supportive in nurturing his sons’ musical talent since childhood, but they have shown no interest in it. He says he gradually noticed their inclination towards music, even though initially they were focused on studies and sports. “Both of them were doing very well in studies, sports and other school activities. Soham has completed his graduation, but there is no pressure on Mahi to do so. I did not force formal training on them, but allowed them to explore music along with their other interests. Over time, as their passion for music grew stronger, I accepted their choice and encouraged them to pursue it wholeheartedly.”
Soham explains that there is no pressure from his parents to pursue music, but there is an underlying external pressure due to his family background. “This pressure is not direct, but exists in the environment and privilege we grew up in. We are proud of our family’s achievements and want to carry forward our parents’ legacy.”
Mahi agrees with Soham, he sees pressure as a positive force that motivates him and keeps him striving to improve.
Both his songs ‘Sorry’ and ‘Jaadugri’ are pop love songs, Mahi is ready to accept that image and says he doesn’t want to take himself too seriously right now; his focus is on continuing to make music in this genre.
Shaan thinks it’s a good idea for the three of them to work on a project together and suggests that it could happen eventually. “There are certain legal and contractual obligations that have to be fulfilled, but I hope we can overcome those challenges to make music together in the future,” he says.
