NEW DELHI: Shankar Mahadevan recently shared fascinating anecdotes about his legendary career during an interview with The New Indian’s Rohan Dua. The conversation explored his groundbreaking work on films like Dil Chahta Hai , Kal Ho Naa Ho and Rockford.
“We created Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe while sitting in a Maruti Zen. The energy of the film guided us it was spontaneous!” Mahadevan recalled. On the title track of Dil Chahta Hai, he said, “The title wasn’t even finalized when we composed the song. It just fell into place.”
Discussing Kal Ho Naa Ho , Mahadevan highlighted its emotional depth: “You can’t plan timelessness. It comes from the heart, and that’s what resonates across generations.”
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Reflecting on Rockford, he recounted, “I quickly recorded the tune before catching a flight. Nagesh loved it, and soon it was iconic. I still remember the call from Gulzar saab praising our work it felt surreal!”
He also spoke about the enduring bond with his co-composers, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa: “There’s no ego between us. Our chemistry comes from mutual respect, which makes every project a joy to work on.”
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Mahadevan delved into his versatility as a singer, sharing, “I’ve sung in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi every language teaches you something new. Working with A.R. Rahman on Tamil tracks was a highlight of my career.”
The maestro attributed his success to authenticity. “Music should connect; that’s all that matters. Whether it’s devotional songs or Bollywood tracks, it’s the soul of the music that speaks.”