Singer Shaan will soon star in music composer Ilaiyaraaja’s musical. The singer says that it was while recording a song for the film that he received the offer to play a part in the film. “While recording, I realised that there’s a lot of acting involved in the singing. The tempo was changing and there were a lot of impromptu reactions to the rhythm. That’s when the director offered me the role,” Shaan shares.

Elated to be collaborating with Ilaiyaraaja, he says, “Ilaiyaraaja is a living legend. He has composed some great music. Every time he calls me to record, I feel overwhelmed. I’ve had the fortune of singing a lot of songs for him in different languages.”

Apart from doing cameos in films like Secret Superstar (2017) and Helicopter Eela (2018), Shaan played the lead in Balwinder Singh Famous Ho Gaya (2014) and a pivotal part in Daman (2001). And while he was always getting acting offers, he turned them down.

Quiz him about it and he quips, “Radhika (Mukherjee; wife) told me that if I wanted to marry her, I would have to leave acting. And I was too scared to act again after looking at myself in Daman. Music ka career accha chal raha tha and I didn’t want to become a laughing stock.”

Going forward, Shaan would want to act in films that “convey positive messages”. The Tanha Dil singer adds, “After watching a few of my recent music videos, Radhika feels ki ab mujhse acting ho payegi (laughs). I’m in my late 40s and not getting any younger. So, I thought of giving it a shot.”