Singer Shaan Addresses Social Media Trolling in Digital Era
Renowned Bollywood playback singer Shaan, famous for chart-topping hits like ‘Tanha Dil’, ‘Chand Sifarish’, and ‘Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh’, has recently opened up about his experiences with social media trolling in today's digital landscape. The artist, who rose to fame in an era before Instagram and live streaming became mainstream, now actively engages with his fanbase through online platforms.
The Double-Edged Sword of Online Platforms
Shaan admitted that social media platforms present both rewarding opportunities and harsh challenges for public figures. While he genuinely values the instant feedback and direct interaction with fans that these platforms facilitate, he has developed a resilient mindset against negativity. “I enjoy this whole new medium and I feel it’s a great way to directly connect with your audience. It’s a good time pass and I don’t take it very seriously,” Shaan explained during a recent interview.
The singer pointed out that encountering negative comments is an unavoidable aspect of being active online. “You’ll always get that one odd person who’s going to send some negative comment,” he noted. Reflecting on his initial reactions, Shaan revealed that such remarks used to upset him, but his perspective has evolved over time. “I would like to clarify because sometimes they hold the wrong end of something and say something, but then later, with time, I realised there’s no point even doing that,” he elaborated.
Choosing Peace Over Conflict
Embracing a philosophy of calm rather than confrontation, Shaan added the Hindi phrase, “Samjhane se behtar hai khud samajh jao,” which translates to “It’s better to understand yourself than to explain to others.” Today, he consciously focuses only on positive encouragement from his followers. As he succinctly put it, “I appreciate all the good comments and ignore the bad.”
Shaan Returns to Music Composition After Seven-Year Hiatus
In a significant career development, Shaan recently composed the song Ankhiyaan, marking singer Babul Supriyo’s return to Hindi music after more than seven years. Shaan clarified that his motivation for composing was not about proving anything but rather about staying creatively active. “The composing part was not to prove anything, but it’s just that we all have phases in our career and at the end of the day, you want to sing,” he stated.
For Shaan, maintaining activity in the music industry holds greater importance than specific outcomes. “For any singer, the best thing is to be busy behind a mic,” he emphasized. He also revealed that launching his own music label has provided him with artistic independence and control over his career trajectory. “So I just wanted to stay busy, stay in my music and not keep worrying about when that phone will ring and some composer will call me to sing for them,” Shaan shared.
He believes that authenticity in music naturally attracts listeners, regardless of genre or style. “There are listeners for all kinds of music,” he added, highlighting the diverse tastes within the audience.
Controversial COVID-19 Live Session Incident
During the COVID-19 pandemic, an Instagram Live session involving Shaan turned unexpectedly tense when abusive comments flooded the chat. Visibly upset by the trolling, Shaan addressed the offenders directly on camera. He exclaimed, “Stop saying $#@$%. What is all this? Who are these people? Can you please be respectful? It shows your upbringing.”
He further reminded viewers of his established legacy in the music industry, stating, “Please ask your teachers and parents about my identity. Haven’t I voiced enough popular songs to be known by you all?” As more insults appeared, Shaan reacted with sharp disapproval, declaring, “I don’t want to be popular among these people.” The video clip of this incident spread rapidly across social media platforms, becoming one of his most discussed digital moments and highlighting the challenges celebrities face with online harassment.
Shaan’s candid reflections offer insight into how veteran artists navigate the complexities of modern digital engagement while maintaining their artistic integrity and personal peace.
