There’s no time to think beyond tomorrow.

His winsome smile and youthful demeanour belie his experience. The MTV Asia awardee has matured... and in his personal life, the newly minted father of a baby boy, is now ‘daddy cool.’ The soft-spoken singer-anchor, Shaan, on his metamorphosis in the world of music.

From 1997 to 2003, in what significant ways have you evolved?
I have grown, personally and professionally. Initially, I had many reservations about how to handle my career, but I realised that there has to be a balance. Today, I neither push myself too hard, nor withdraw from the scene. My career has been kick-started by the new playback numbers that have showcased me in a different light.

How would you compare your albums with your playback songs in masala films?
There would be no excitement in my work if my albums were similar to my playback numbers. My compilation of the song Bhool Ja was actually taken from the Tanha Dil album, and the last I heard was we had sold 3 lakh copies.

My next album is also on different lines. Instead of eight songs only by Shaan, I have pulled in international artistes, to give it a crossover feel. Even with my playback numbers I prefer not to stick to the regular stereotypes and vary my style, from song to song. I can’t see myself as a part of a conventional set-up.

Doesn’t Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, your TV talent search show, take up a lot of your time?
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is very crucial to me and undoubtedly it does take a whole lot of time. But, I see how much the show means to talented young boys and girls. I feel responsible for them and try my best to make them feel comfortable on the sets.

Would you resort to PR to win an award?
There is no pleasure in winning an award if you are consciously aware that it is only due to your PR. When I won the MTV Asia Award, I received many calls from PR agencies asking me to showcase my award, but I felt it was rather ridiculous.

It is still too early for me to win awards, I have a lot to learn and do before I reach that level. Though I willingly admit that winning awards does make a difference, I will never hire an agency to do publicity for me or help me win awards. And yet, I am neither anti press nor publicity.

We heard that your wife was your fan before you got married. How does it feel to be a father?
My wife was not my fan, our love story was a typical boy-meets-girl at disco! She would rather choose to believe that I was her fan. Fatherhood is the most brilliant thing that can happen to a man. Earlier, I would waste a great deal of time and energy socialising, being there and partying. Now my greatest pleasure is changing diapers and constantly watching my son.

Does the tough competition scare you?
Honestly, with my family, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and stage shows abroad, there is no time to think beyond tomorrow. I prevent myself from getting stressed out. I think positive and do not let any insecurity creep in. This is one reason why I haven’t kept a filmi secretary – when one is surrounded by people who indulge in a lot of flattery, dada aap superb hain, etc, one tends to lose one’s perspective.