Shankar Mahadevan on AI, authenticity and making music in the age of trends

When Shankar Mahadevan walks on stage, it isn’t just another performance. For him, the energy is as fresh as it was when he first began decades ago. Even after years of live shows, Mahadevan admits the butterflies never fully go away.

"The enthusiasm is the same, the excitement is the same. The little butterflies, they are still there—but only for a short while. The minute I step on stage and I sing my first note, they fly away," he says.

What helps is a ritual he and his band have developed before every big concert. "Just before going on stage, we hold hands and stand in a circle. There’s a little prayer, a little chant of three 'Oms' that brings us away from all the clutter in our minds. It just centres us. After that, we cheer together, and then we go on stage. Just before I start singing, I also say a small internal prayer."

Mahadevan will headline the first day of the eighth edition of the YES BANK Bollywood Music Project 2025, with his long-time collaborators Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa, alongside Farhan Akhtar, Shaan, sons Siddharth and Shivam, and Sivamani.

Ahead of his headlining act on October 4, Grammy-winning composer and singer talks to CNBC-TV18 about music in the times of trends and technology.

Fans can expect a power-packed line-up of anthems that have defined Bollywood over the last two decades—'Dil Chahta Hai,' 'Rock On,' 'Senorita,' 'Gallan Goodiyan,' and more. "From the first note to the last note, everybody will know every song," Mahadevan promises.

The conversation turned to one of the most pressing questions in music today: the role of artificial intelligence in creativity. Mahadevan is pragmatic. "It doesn’t challenge music—it helps. It’s like an assistant, a partner, suggesting ideas. At the end of the day, the decision maker is you, the human mind, not artificial intelligence."

He added a note of caution: "AI is here to stay, whether you like it or not. The only thing we must do is use it responsibly. Anything can be used irresponsibly—even a car. You have the choice to drive on the wrong side, but it’s up to you not to."

In an era where music is often created with the singular aim of going viral, Mahadevan stressed the importance of intent. "For a musician, the choice is yours—do you want to create a reel that goes viral, or do you want to go slightly deeper? Do you want to create songs with aesthetics, lyrical depth, emotions that make people cry, laugh, dance, or feel inspired? Popularity has nothing to do with quality. Popular does not mean good. But if it is popular and good, then you have something that will last a long time."

For young musicians trying to navigate AI tools, streaming platforms, and the pressure to trend, Mahadevan urged them to look beyond shortcuts. "Music is like an ocean. Do you just want to stand on the shore, or do you want to take a boat and go deep? Nobody will stop you either way. My advice is—enjoy every aspect of music. Learn, explore, experiment. Whether it is a harmonium, a sequencer, AI, or just sitting with a tanpura—find joy in all of it. That is how you preserve the soul of music."

Even after decades, certain songs remain magical for Mahadevan because of how they touch people across generations and social backgrounds. "Two songs always surprise me—Kal Ho Naa Ho and Maa. I’ve seen audiences with chairmen of big companies, senior citizens, young schoolkids—all forgetting where they come from, how much money they’ve made, how successful they are. Emotions just take over, and that’s what these songs do. They go beyond status and connect directly to the heart."

As he prepares to headline Bollywood Music Project 2025

, Mahadevan is clear about what he wants to offer: an evening of music that is as joyous and soulful as it is unforgettable. "It’s all about love, happiness, and music. That’s what audiences can expect—and that’s what we’ll give them."

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