EXCLUSIVE| Shaan on emotional stories on reality TV shows: 'Not a fan of personal stories that are forced on audiences'

Indian singer Shaan, who has delivered several hit songs throughout his career, has now collaborated with international sensation, Delson. The duo's latest song titled Bom Billi released recently. Each of the four versions of the song features Shaan in different avatars, and the singer couldn't be happier about the collaboration.

Opening up about his experience with Delson, Shaan shared that it's been wonderful working with him. "He is just wonderful. He is also a fantastic voice guide because when I sent my first draft of vocals, he very politely made me get more into the vibe of the track. It really helped me to discover a different style of singing, so it was wonderful working with him," he added, hoping that the two collaborate more in the future.

Having been in the industry for years, Shaan has not just seen successful days, but also days of struggles. The singer, however, doesn't like the word struggle and believes to look at them as challenges.

"I enjoy taking challenges in my life and I often create challenges for myself," he said, adding that at the moment, the biggest challenge for him is to stay relevant. "I’m not ready to retire yet, you know can I can't decide that I have done enough and to let the next generation take over. I still think there's a lot more fuel left in the tank," he explained, adding that the idea is to be able to reinvent to stay relevant and continue to explore more genres.

The singer has also had a few low points in his life - losing his dad early on, having no real financial backing in life. But Shaan shares that nothing he hasn't had a time as low as now after he lost his mother. Shaan's mother Sonali Mukherjee passed away in January this year.

"I don’t think I’ve ever had a low point than now that I have lost my sense of purpose, now that I have lost my mother. I am pretty down but the strength is somewhere coming from her," he articulated and remembered how his mother always backed him.

"I mean she always backed me, she was always proud of me and she always encouraged me and somehow, she’s giving me the strength to stay positive. I’m taking strength from the fact that she is in a good place and I don't want to weigh her down, I don’t want to pull her back. I want her journey onwards to be beautiful and with that thought, I believe she is with me she is me," he said.

Shaan further added that he will turn this tragedy into something that will motivate him to make his mother proud. "Because she’s my god now and I can’t hide anything from my god. I’ve to make my god proud of me," he said.

As for regrets, Shaan is of the view that whatever regrets he may have, he would like to rectify them while he is still around. The singer shares that he sometimes ponders as to how it would have helped him if he started his classical music training early on. Taking it in his stride, Shaan continues to train every day under the guidance of his Guruji. "There's no point regretting if you cannot rectify it. So if I have any regrets, I try and rectify it," he said.

Apart from his successful career as a singer, Shaan has also been a popular television presenter. The singer has hosted several shows including Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs, Star Voice of India and STAR Voice of India 2 and has also appeared as a judge in other music-based reality shows.

Asked about the debate revolving around the emotional stories that often feature on reality shows, Shaan expressed that he isn't a fan of such stories unless they emerge organically.

"I am personally not a big fan of personal stories that are forced onto the audience. If something happens organically, like if a moment urges a participant or a judge or anyone to discuss something that has happened to them personally, then that’s okay," he said, adding, "But definitely, the sad stories and quirky stories are working for the television audience and it's bringing in TRPs to the reality shows, which is why they are still using this as a part of the content. If people like it, they shouldn’t complain. Like I said I am not personally for it, but I’m sure it’s working, which is why they’re doing it on the television."

The singer, who is followed by 1.2 million users on Instagram, continues to be in touch with his fans via his posts. Apart from sharing professional updates, Shaan also makes sure to offer glimpses of his personal life every now and then.