‘I don’t want to be in any camp, never been in one’

Singer Shaan says the music industry has come a long way, and today, the person who pays “controls the show”. He recalls, “In the early days of movie making, in the 1930s and ’40s, companies hired their own composers, singers, artistes and actors on a monthly basis. Somewhere down the line, in the last few years, the situation has become like this where music companies might insist to work with their artistes.”

Singer Sonu Nigam had mentioned in a viral video that only two music companies run the Indian music scene. Mention this to Shaan and he says it’s not necessarily two; a lot of people have got into that kind of space. “Basically, it’s about ‘What do I get if I give you this opportunity?’ Earlier, it was purely on the basis of talent and credit, and left to the discretion of composers or directors. Now more than just the movie and music, the person who is paying the money is controlling the show. If someone is making money, they want to make sure that it’s good business for them. Creativity has taken a back seat to the business aspect of things,” says the 47-year-old.

Favouritism, too, Nigam had alleged, is rampant in the music sphere. Shaan says he has consciously never been a part of any group or camp. “I am everyone’s favourite, I like to believe that,” he laughs, and adds, “I don’t want to be in any camp. I’ve never been in one. I never had to comply with anyone’s rules, or bow down to anything. I have been fortunate that way. You discover more about yourself when you do that,” he says.

I never had to comply with anyone’s rules, or bow down to anything. I have been fortunate that way.

SHAAN SINGER