His soft-spoken voice belies his power-packed vocals in Bollywood numbers. His eagerness to learn new things is testimony to the fact that he wants to explore the vast diverse world of music. Meet Siddharth Mahadevan, the voice behind hits like Zinda (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag), Hulla Re (2 States), Pehli Baar (Dil Dhadakne Do) and Nachde Ne Saare (Baar Baar Dekho). Following in his father's (Shankar Mahadevan) footsteps, the 23-year-old has also composed music for a couple of Marathi and Hindi movies. The young artiste, who is riding high on the success of his latest number, Teen Gawah Hain Ishq Ke from the upcoming film Mirzya, shares his musical journey with Bombay Times.

Your earlier songs have been high-energy numbers. Was it a conscious decision to explore new genres with Nachde and Teen Gawah...?
Nachde is my first wedding song. Composer Jasleen Royal asked me if I would want to sing it. When I heard the track, I loved it as it's funky. I was excited as I hadn't sung a wedding number before. Teen Gawah... is a special song for me. It's a beautiful composition and Gulzar saab's lyrics are wonderful. I'm happy that I finally got a chance to sing a romantic song.

Are things easier when you work with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy?
I have a great time recording with them as they treat me like family. I've grown up watching them and it's been a learning experience. Today, they ask me for my inputs and I share my compositions with them. Ehsaan has even recorded guitar riffs for a few of my compositions. So, we share a fantastic relationship.

Did you always want to become a musician since you were exposed to it since a young age?
I've always loved music. When I was three, my dad realised that I had a good sense of rhythm and could repeat complicated patterns, which is a difficult thing to do for a kid of that age. The next year, my parents gifted me a pair of congas as I enjoyed playing percussion and musical instruments. Also, I come from a middle-class South Indian family where this art form is given a lot of importance. So, I learnt Carnatic and Hindustani classical music.

What challenges did you face when you started out?
Before I sang Zinda, everybody kept telling me to find my comfort zone and create an identity. I was confused about what the future held for me. I always knew that I would make a career in music. I had sung songs before Zinda. But you always look forward to a mainstream Bollywood debut as this is the most glamorous part of the singing industry. Thankfully, I got lucky that this song became popular. People soon started identifying me with a specific genre. Now, they want me to explore new ones. As a composer, I feel there is a lot of competition today and it's not easy to make your mark. So, both streams have equal challenges.

Since you are a composer too, does it help you understand other's compositions better when you are singing for them?
Singing and composing are two completely different roles. When you are composing, you are the captain of the ship. There is no end to creativity and what you can do. But when you are singing for someone else, it's a challenge to fulfill his vision. I enjoy singing as well as composing. I can't pick between the two. Both are equally dear to me.

Do you agree with composers trying out different singers before zeroing in on one voice?
I agree with directors wanting to try three voices for a song. But anything more than that is unnecessary. Today, directors like to try out more sounds as they never know which one might work. At the end of the day, it's all about the song. That is bigger than anybody and whatever has to be done to take it to the highest level should be done.

This is proving to be quite a happening year for Siddharth Mahadevan. While his Pehli Baar has turned out to make waves, he is also kicked about the music he's composed for a few Marathi films. In a chat with Bombay Times, the 22-year-old opens up about singing for his father, Shankar Mahadevan, and why composing is closer to his heart.

How did Pehli Baar happen?
We'd recorded the song almost a year-and-a-half ago. I was in the studio when SEL (Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy) were composing the track. The first part had lyrics in English that were penned by Loy. And for the hook, dad has written some dummy words. They wanted someone to sing the scratch and since I was around, they asked me to record it. Then, when the song was ready, Zoya (Akhtar) listened to it and she liked my voice. She asked me to come over and give the song a final shot. Actually, Sukriti Kakar and I sang the numbers with different feels. We had a blast behind the mike.

Was singing the song easy since your dad is one of the composers?
Nothing is easy in the industry because everything is professional. I had a goofy experience singing the number, because the brief given to us was quite simple. We were given a lot of freedom to experiment. Even picturisation-wise, Zoya had let the actors (Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma) choreograph the number. But yes, when I sing for my father, there's a sense of security. He knows my potential and won't be satisfied with anything less.

Did you have any tips to share with Sukriti, since she's a newcomer to play back?
Her sister Akriti sings with my father on his shows, and they are like family friends. We went to record this song together, and probably because I'm used to recording studios and have sung before, I was more comfortable than her. I didn't have any tips for Sukriti because she was quite cool herself. The best thing about SEL as composers is that they make artistes feel very comfortable. They don't intimidate you, and keep the studio set-up casual. That said, being nervous while recording is good as well because for me, it helps bring out my best. I was nervous when I recorded my first number too!

You've composed for a couple of Marathi films recently. How was the experience of working in a regional language?
I've sung in South Indian songs as well, but I don't understand them. That said, language is never ever a problem. Music transcends all barriers. In fact, I can say, Marathi is my mother tongue. My mom's Marathi and I speak the language.

What do you prefer - singing or composing?
Composing is dear to my heart. My brother Soumil Shringarpure and I have been writing songs from our childhood and have always jammed together. I also play drums and keys. We've been putting down tunes and playing for our family.


How important are awards for you?
Awards come with a lot of responsibilities. They drive you to achieve more. The RD Burman Award for New Music Talent (for Zinda in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag) is quite special because it's also the first award my dad got for Dil Chahta Hai!

Is there a difference between singing your own numbers and singing for other composers?
Whichever way, a music director is the captain. When you record your own number, you have lived with that song since its inception, since the time it was composed, produced and arranged. So, the tune comes naturally, and you probably relate 0.1% better to it. But with others' songs, you know about it only when you reach the studio. So, it takes a wee bit longer for you to own it. Singing another composer's song like you know it inside out is a challenge.

What's your present line-up?
I am working on films, a couple of theme-based albums and collaborations.