At Cannes 2024, India celebrated an array of remarkable moments. Filmmaker Payal Kapadia garnered significant attention and accolades for her film, “All We Imagine As Light.” But another proud moment belonged to playback singer Shaan, who took immense pride in introducing three emerging pop stars to the audience at the Bharat Parv event, including his 18-year-old son, Maahi.
Maahi, a talented teenager who debuted with his video single ‘Sorry’ earlier this year, has now released his second single, ‘Jaadugari,’ which was produced by his older brother, Soham. Unfazed by the scale of the event, Maahi impressed the audience with his performance, and the family cherished every moment of this special experience.
Upon returning home to Mumbai, Shaan, Maahi, and Soham gathered for a video call to share their Cannes experience. During this sentimental conversation, they bonded over music and reflected on their individual and collective journeys. The dialogue was filled with laughter, warm memories, and gratitude for the time spent together as a family.
Shaan, positioned between his sons for the video call, proudly states, “Soham graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, which was a proud moment for us as parents. We first had the joy of witnessing his graduation ceremony and were then thrilled to see Maahi’s first international performance. It has been an incredibly fulfilling and memorable year for our family.”
Maahi described his time at Cannes as “incredible.” He expressed, “The opportunity was mind-blowing. I must admit that I was a bit nervous at first, but having the support of my family helped calm those nerves. Cannes is such a special place, filled with people who appreciate art in all its forms. It was an amazing experience to be there.”
For his brother Soham, producing ‘Jaadugari’ held special significance primarily because it involved Maahi. He elaborates, “Typically, my production work is quite solitary, following artistes’ briefs and creating music accordingly. However, this project was different. Having Maahi involved added a personal touch that elevated the entire process. His input and our shared creativity made the production feel incredibly organic and effortless, alongside composer Sudan Bhosle,” he adds, “It’s a project that holds a special place for both of us, not just as artistes, but as brothers creating something meaningful together.”
Shaan, well-known for his album “Tanha Dil,” a significant milestone in his career from the late 1990s, prefers not to draw direct comparisons between his success and that of his sons. When asked if ‘Sorry’ could be considered Maahi’s breakthrough track akin to ‘Tanha Dil,’ Maahi humbly declines, acknowledging that while ‘Sorry’ may be a step towards such success, it doesn’t yet reach that pinnacle.
. “My priority is to consistently release more music and connect with my audience through quality,” he emphasizes.
Maahi acknowledges the similarities in his voice to his father’s but also stresses his efforts to maintain his unique musical identity. “I value dad’s advice about drawing inspiration from diverse artistes. I want to integrate all the influences and discover my unique style and expression,” he explains.
Soham’s academic journey and strategic approach to a prospective music career are also notable. Opting for a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry at USC, he focused on areas like law, business, and technology over traditional music training, leveraging his existing musical foundation. “I intend to navigate contracts, production deals, and copyright issues. This will blend artistic expression with business acumen,” Soham notes.
Shaan emphasizes that there’s no pressure on his sons to follow in his footsteps. He reveals his supportive yet hands-off approach to nurturing their musical talents from a young age. “Both of them were doing very well in academics, sports, and other activities in school. Soham finished his graduation, but there’s no pressure on Maahi to do so. I did not impose formal training on them but allowed them to explore music alongside their other interests. Over time, as their passion for music grew stronger, I accepted their choice and encouraged them to pursue it wholeheartedly.”
Soham shares that while there is no direct pressure from their parents to pursue music, there is an inherent external pressure due to their family background. “This pressure isn’t direct but exists in the environment and privilege we grew up in. We are proud of our family’s achievements and want to live up to our parents’ legacy,” he says. Maahi agrees, seeing pressure as a positive force that keeps them motivated and striving to improve.
With both his songs, ‘Sorry’ and ‘Jaadugari’ being pop love songs, Maahi is ready to embrace that image and asserts he does not want to take himself too seriously yet. His current focus is on continuing to make music in this genre.
Regarding the potential of all three family members working together on a project, Shaan sees it as a good idea that might materialize in the future. He concludes, “There are some legalities and contractual obligations to clear, but I am optimistic that we can work around those challenges to create music together in the future.”
