The young singer Maahi has just released his single ‘Jaan Se Zyada’. It’s a deeply romantic track in which he has also acted. The interesting bit about the video is the ending part where it is revealed that Maahi is actually playing the younger version of his father, the veteran singer Shaan. The video also features Maahi’s mother and Shaan’s wife Radhika Mukherjee. In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama, Maahi spoke about the excitement of playing his father’s younger version and the weight of expectations one has from him for being the son of Shaan.
EXCLUSIVE: Maahi on playing his father Shaan’s younger version in the video of his song ‘Jaan Se Zyada’: “I will keep watching it throughout my life”
How would you describe ‘Jaan Se Zyada’?
‘Jaan Se Zyada’ is a very special song, for me especially. It’s a kind of a song that speaks about eternal love. I have done quite a few songs of fun and college romance types. But this is an eternal love song. After watching the video, you will connect with it more. In the video also we are wondering what is the best example of eternal love. For me, naturally it is my parents.
How challenging it is to act and shoot in your own songs?
My training has been in music. In acting, I have had a little bit of training, not much. So, it is a challenge for me. The good part was that my co-actor Aadhya Anand, she is a proper actor; she has acted a lot. She helped me a lot throughout. And the director (Rajdip) Ray also helped me throughout this. So, I was able to act better because of them.
What was the biggest challenge for you for ‘Jaan Se Zyada’?
I think this is the first time that I am doing a lot of murkhis. Composition wise also it was very interesting. I have done very simple compositions. It’s a proper fun composition. For this, I need to give credit to Zain and Sam, the composers of the song, for also guiding me in the composition, in terms of variations, sur and also expressions. It’s a very heartfelt and intimate song. That was a challenge but I thought it came out well.
There is a twist at the end of the music video where it is revealed that you are playing your father’s younger version. This must be a big thing for you
It is a big thing. It is a kind of a video that I will keep watching throughout my life. I will hold on to very long. It is also special because there is also mummy ji in it. It also captures their love. They have been married for 25 years now. They have been together for even longer. It is very special to see my parents in love. And to have it in my own music video is even better.
What is your process like before every song recording?
Every morning, I do riyaaz with my guruji. Before every recording, if the song is very straining type, I don’t speak for a little while. I try not to exert my voice. I talk in a low tone and voice. And just before recording, I drink lots of water. I read somewhere that to heal your vocal chords, water is the best thing.
You mean, warm water?
Yes. Sometimes with honey. Sometimes I have kadha if it’s very bad. But the important thing is to drink a lot of water. I do that even before shows. I think it’s also good for your natural health.
At which stage in your life did you feel that you should become a full time into music?
During my childhood itself, I used to sing a lot with dad. But when I used to go on stage with dad, there was a safety net. I knew dad was always there in case I forgot the lyrics or didn’t get the sur. He would sing from his mic and cover me. But when I started my solo touring, I realized this is a different level only of adrenaline or passion or fun. When I started doing that, I realized that I want to do this for the rest of my life.
How much does your father guide you and is he like your critic also?
Jee bilkul. I have been asked this one question a lot – What advice your dad has given you for singing? My answer to this always is that the best advice dad gives is not related to singing. He is a father to me first. So, his advice is about life. Yes, he taught me how to sing. Along with that, he taught me how to play football, how to bowl and math; all these things. People always think ki singing ka best advice kya tha. But for me my most cherished advice from dad will always be about life. Like importance of keeping a smile on your face, being cool in a tough situation, etc. Dad is also my critic but more than that he is my guru.
You recently also sang the song ‘Tera Kya Karoon’ in the movie Nadaaniyan. How different is playback singing as compared to singing for a private song?
Initially, there was nervousness. I had to sing for two of my favourite composers – Sachin sir and Jigar sir. I was nervous, scared and jittery but dad calmed me down and made sure I gave my best in front of the mic. In playback, you have to give what the composers are asking. We all are working towards a big project. Everyone wants to make the entire film better. It’s not like only the song should do well. But when we sing for our albums, there is more space. We can try something in a different way or improvise. This is fun but playback is also a different sort of fun. There is also this pride that you are a part of a big team.
In our country, a son or daughter of a successful father is always compared to the latter. How much did you think about this before entering this field?
Honestly, during my childhood, I didn’t spend much time with industry people. I didn’t grow up with parties and all. I didn’t think about it too much until I started singing and started seeing the comparisons. There is this pressure and also a responsibility as my father, grandfather and bua (Sagarika) have worked very hard to make this legacy. So, it’s up to me to honour that legacy and make a name for myself too. It’s like a balance of both. That’s what I am trying to do. Right now, I have only taken one step at it (smiles). But I am getting there slowly.
Your father had so many iconic songs during the Indi-Pop era. Which one is your favourite?
It’s a lesser-known song. Of course, ‘Tanha Dil’ and ‘Bhool Ja’ are huge hits. The name of the song is ‘Na Kehna Nahin Aata’. It was a very fun song. It was released in his album ‘Aksar’. He also had some nice hits with bua like ‘Aisa Hota Hai’. In Indi-Pop also there are so many. By KK sir it’s ‘Yaaron’ and ‘Pyaar Ke Pal’. They are two incredible songs. That whole era was incredible. Sonu sir’s ‘Deewana Tera’. What a song it is; the entire album is good.
What’s next planned after ‘Jaan Se Zyada’?
I am working on an album. It’s an EP (Extended Play), technically. I had to do an EP for a long time. In singles, you can tell one story. But in EP, you can tell more. You have four pages to write. I want to share story and expression. I think with this EP, I will be able to share a longer story. We have been working on it for a long time, so I am very excited.
Also Read: Shaan talks composing songs for first time for OTT show Kill Dil: “I’m excited to get the youths’ reaction to the music”
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