Though not formally trained in music, singer Shaan Mukherjee lit up the 1990s with his fresh, raw voice. The infectious energy, expression and natural charm he brought to every song he took on gave him a special place alongside his contemporaries Sonu Nigam and KK.
On his 46th birthday today, here's looking at 10 romantic songs where Shaan makes your heart feel joy!
1. 'Musu Musu Hasi' — Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi (1999)
This was the year when Shaan made a successful transition from pop music to playback singing. His first Hindi song, 'Musu Musu Hasi', instantly connected with the youth and became hugely popular at the time. The song is about 'smiling'. Musu musu hasi (Nepali) means 'smile a little bit'. You can sense Shaan smiling behind the mike as he sings this with so much joy. That is a feature that has stayed with him — the smile in his voice.
2. 'Tune Mujhe Pehchana Nahin' — Raju Chacha (2000)
This Jatin-Lalit composition is minimalist, using only guitars, putting the focus completely on Shaan's voice. And he carried the romance inherent in the tune beautifully with his free-flowing rendition.
3. 'Woh Ladki Hai Kahan' — Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
This fun song about finding love and romance was just the showcase for Shaan's skills when it comes to bringing alive an old-world charm with his infectious energy.
4. 'Bolo Bolo' — Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001)
The entire soundtrack of Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein was memorable. 'Bolo Bolo', with its beautiful melody and Shaan's youthful voice, remains one of his best. Shaan gets smooth and groovy as he takes on this flowing melody with very few breaks for instrumentals.
5. 'Yeh Hawayen' — Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai (2001)
In an interview back in 2007, Shaan admitted that Abhishek Bachchan was the only actor to recommended his voice to composers, saying, 'I want him to sing for me'. And it is true that Shaan's fresh-sounding voice suited the young Bachchan during his initial days.
Shaan sang three romantic songs for Bachchan in Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai and went on to sing for him in Dus (2005), Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon (2003), Zameen (2003), Dhoom (2004) and Rakht (2004) (remember his recreation of Blue's One Love?) before other singers took over.
Shaan used a softer tone quite beautifully, alongside Alka Yagnik, for the soothing melody of 'Yeh hawayen zulfon mei teree gum ho jaye'. The song was composed by Aadesh Shrivastava.
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6. 'Suno Na' — Jhankaar Beats (2003)
One of the more memorable songs from Vishal-Shekhar's first hit soundtrack, 'Suno Na' rode on the honeyed singing of Shaan to portray young love in this easy-breezy romantic number.
7. 'Kuch Toh Hua Hai' — Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
This vibrant song about the realization of the side effects of falling in love was sung by Alka Yagnik with Shaan. These two have sung several duets together, and this is, perhaps, their biggest hit together. Shaan's silvery rendition was perfect for this peachy and peppy song.
8. 'Chand Sifarish' — Fanaa (2006)
Shaan won his first Filmfare award for Best Male Playback Singer for his rendition of 'Chand Sifarish' in the Aamir Khan-Kajol-starrer Fanaa. Composed by Jatin-Lalit with a good blend of alaaps, whistles, tabla beats, electric guitars and poetic lyrics, Shaan's swag helped to make this song an instant hit. This was also the first hit song where Shaan gave voice to Aamir Khan.
9. 'Aao Milo Chalen' — Jab We Met (2007)
This Pritam Chakraborty and Irshad Kamil song is a happy journey number in true Imtiaz Ali style and Shaan did complete justice to its expansive feel.
10. 'Jabse Tere Naina' — Saawariya (2007)
Shaan was the voice of a young Ranbir Kapoor, who was making his debut with this film, in 'Jabse Tere Naina'. To put it another way, this song was Kapoor's first appearance on the big screen. The song also became the soundtrack's biggest hit.
Composed by Monty Sharma, this song brought Shaan his second Filmfare award for Best Male Playback Singer. The singer brought a freshness and romance with his expressive singing, which the newcomer Kapoor did complete justice to with his on-screen performance.