They say when there is music within your heart, it has to be heard. So was the case with Shantanu Mukherjee, aka Shaan, who tried dabbling with other vocations before coming back to what he loved and did best - singing. Getting to where he stands now, was of course, no easy task. That probably explains his easy, unassuming disposition.

Shaan did have a fairly illustrious musical background. His father was composer Manas Mukherjee, who has scored music for films such as Shaayad and Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai. As a child, Shaan started out by singing ad jingles, and then gradually gave it up. However, soon returned to it, and started doing odd music assignments, such as singing remixes and cover versions, apart from ad jingles.

Though Q-Funk was Shaan's first release in 1995, the album that fetched him more recognition was his second release, Roop Inka Mastana, a remixed version of R D Burman's hits. It was made possible by remix guru Biddu, who rechristened him Shaan. The album featured artistes besides Shaan, and included older sister, Sagarika. In 1996, the sibling duo came out with Naujawan, their first big release. The album managed to generate a lukewarm response

Shaan made his solo debut with the album, Loveology in 1996 - a commonplace pop album that did not do his career much good. This time round, he was written off by critics, who thought he was just another of the talentless multitude.

But lady luck at last decided to smile down upon Shaan in 2000, and the singer delivered Tanha Dil, an exceptionally promising album, featuring some soulful ballads, as well as catchy tunes. The album finally established him as a serious singer of considerable worth.

Shaan's foray into film music was with the film Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi in which he sang two numbers, Musu musu and Woh pehli baar. He is now back with Raju Chacha, where he croons Tune mujhe pehchana nahin for Ajay Devgan.

The singer has gone one step further in 2001, by dominating the credits of Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai... Music director Aadesh Shrivastava has entrusted him with the responsibility of carrying the score on his
shoulders, and he has done so admirably. Shaan's vocals sit pretty on five tracks, making it his best bet yet.

The young singer remains a self-taught musician, who has received no formal training. Singing apart, Shaan even composes and pens the lyrics of some of his songs. Not the one to be steadfast in an ever-changing industry, Shaan claims that he is open to all kinds of assignments, be it singing ad jingles, doing playback for films, or giving live performances.

Apart from his albums, Shaan has sung playback vocals for various Bollywood films, including Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi, Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai , Lakshya, Dil Chahta Hai, Kal Ho Na Ho, Hum Tum, Dhoom, Dus, Salaam Namaste, Fight Club, Don - The Chase Begins Again, Fanaa, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, and Om Shanti Om. He hosted the television show, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa on Zee TV, which won the Music Programme of the Year award at the Indian Telly Awards in 2003. In 2007, he left the host job and then was replaced by 21 year-old Aditya Narayan. At the same awards function, Shaan won Best TV Music Director, for creating the music of the Zee TV show, Lipstick, for friend, Goldie Behl.

He also appeared as the guest in the first episode of the new show Antakshari: The Great Challenge which aired on 9 February 2007 on Star One.

Shaan is now the host of another very popular music show called 'Star Voice of India (SVOI) which airs on Star Plus. He was offered to host Star Voice Of India Chote Ustaad, but opted out to spend time with his family. However, returned to host the next season of SVOI.

Popular songs by Shaan include his first hit, "Musu Musu", as well as "Tanha Dil" and "Bhool Ja" from his albums and the very popular songs "Chand Sifarish" from the movie Fanaa and "Jab se tere naina" from the movie Saawariya. Recently he released a song with MLTR namely "Take me to your heart", which is on his latest album entitled Tishnagi.

Along with singing, Shaan has also acted in the movie, Daman, also starring Raveena Tandon. He has made appearances in his songs in the movies, Zameen and Hungama.

Shaan is also a very popular choice for 'Pro Shows' which are conducted as a part of the cultural festivals of various colleges. Among the prominent cult festivals where he has performed live recently are Spring Fest of IIT Kharagpur, Mood Indigo of IIT Bombay ,Raagam of NIT Calicut and in Alcheringa of IIT Guwahati. Recently he performed live in an IBM event "Imprint 2008, Bangalore" for IBM GBS GD exclusively.

His song "Chand Sifarish" from the movie Fanaa (2006) and "Jab se Tere Naina" from Saawariya won the Filmfare Best Male Playback Award and the Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer - Male apart from receiving several other nominations.

Shaan was nominated for Filmfare five times out of which he won two for Chaand,Sifarish and Jab Se Tere Naina. For the past two years he has been bagging all the prestigious awards like Zee Screen, LIFA and others in succession. Big banners Bollywood films have his voice on their soundtracks like Don, Om Shanti Om,Saawariya and may more movies to be releases in 2009, like Three Idiots, Mr and Mrs Khanna and Alladin.