Kumar Sanu, daughters Shannon K. & Annabelle collaborate on an English track, 9 to 5

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A top 25 compendium of Kumar Sanu hits in the 1990s would probably go on to include at least half of the Top 50 Hindi film songs of that decade. Such was Sanu’s endemic popularity then. He went on to do well even in the early 2000s and today, he has actually recorded a song for his counterpart now, Arijit Singh, as music composer! Sanu has recently also recorded songs for web series Guns & Gulaabs and Tribhuvan Mishra: CA Topper.

But 40 years after he entered the portals of Hindi film music (as an ensemble singer in R.D. Burman’s Yeh Desh), it is time for him to collaborate musically with daughters Shannon K. and Annabelle in the 27^th language he has recorded songs in—English! The track is releasing on July 12 all over. Shannon is particularly excited as she is recording with her dad after a gap of seven years.

In a Zoom interview, Sanu beams happily as he says, “My daughters Shannon K. and Annabelle have been like my gurus here. They have taught me how to sing in English!” For the record, Sanu’s 26 languages include Spanish!

Excerpts from an interview with Kumar Sanu and Shannon K. follow:

Shannon, you are a celebrity already. Can you tell me something about yourself?

Shannon: I was born in India, raised in London and now reside in Los Angeles. I have studied at the AB-Royal School of Music. My debut single, A long time, was produced by Poo Bear, and got over 41,000,000 views. I have also collaborated with producer Kyle Townsend on the anti-bullying track Give me your hand. This won the Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Original Song. I have worked with other producers too. I have myself faced such discrimination, especially on social media, and I want to be the voice of many such people.

Kumar Sanu (Beams): And she has done all this without using my name or support! The only way I have helped her is financially, which is what a father must do. She has received several accolades, including the Dr. Ambedkar Award, London Rolling Film Festival honors, and recognition as Artiste of the Month at the World Film Festival and B4U Music UK.

How much has dad influenced you musically, Shannon?

Shannon: Of course, I am influenced by him, having studied his work. But I guess that having grown up outside India, I connect more with Mariah Carey and other Western musicians. But I am not unfamiliar with Indian music. I am, in fact, amazed at dad’s versatility and adaptability, and the way he transforms with different songs. He is not bound to one territory.

When will you work in India?

Shannon: Oh, I have worked with Himesh Reshammiya, Shaan, Neeraj Shridhar and Sonu Nigam besides dad. And there has been something to learn from each of them.

Which are your favorite songs of your father?

Shannon: I love so many of them! I adore Yeh kaali kaali ankhen (Baazigar), Jab koi baat bigad jaaye (Jurm), the songs of Aashiqui, Tujhe dekha to yeh jaana sanam (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge), Raah mein unnse mulaqaat ho gayi (Vijaypath),  Odh li chunariya (Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya) and many more…

Kumar Sanu (Smiles): On July 1, we released a video of Tujhe dekha from DDLJ and Saregama has shot it.

Okay, Shannon, how is your dad as a father?

Shannon (Animatedly): Oh, my sister and I both find him amazing, and we love to spend time with him! He is so energetic that he is the complete opposite of mom! (Grins)

And so your sister Annabelle too is into music.

Shannon: Yes, she is an amazing songwriter, producer and director, and she also happens to be studying Law!

Have you yourself studied Indian classical music?

Shannon (Nods): Yes, dad has given me some tips. I have learnt some vocal exercises and do a few warm-ups in Indian classical. I have learnt some basic raags and diction.

You also are an actor. So where do you see yourself 10 years down?

Shannon: I don’t know where I will go! All I know is that I want to make dad proud. We can’t choose our destiny, but hard work has to be there. I have no worries about what the results will be. I was always interested in acting, and music was a natural thing for me. Besides, singers, if you see in a way, always have to act on the mike! I made my debut with The Big Feed in 2020 and I am now doing Rolling, a short on mental health, and Mystical Inheritance of Adina Hassan

Sanu-da, in these days of singles, are you also into recording them?

Sanu: Yes, I have now launched my channel, Kumar Sanu Official, on YouTube. I have lso just completed my longest concert tour—of 14 shows in the US—and I will be back in October with 11 more shows.

Shannon, would you agree that Hindi Film Music is no longer what it was until the 1990s and early 2000s?

Shannon: I am sorry, yes, because I am also stuck in the 1990s era there! There are many underrated songs today, but the social media has had a massive impact and I think sometimes the audience does not know what is good and what is bad.

Is this the case even in the West?

To an extent, yes, it is.