As she releases her first original single, ‘Raatan Kaaliyan’, actress-turned-singer Shazahn Padamsee Kanakia opens up about finding her voice, love and following her creative instincts.
By Nichola Marie
You grew up in a family synonymous with theatre and entertainment. How did that shape your love for storytelling and performance?
Growing up in a creatively stimulating environment, musicals and plays were happening in my living room every day. I remember weekends spent at Sophia Theatre and Tata Theatre, having my lunch there. I’ve not known anything else!
So, it definitely subconsciously rubbed off on me. Having said that, I was always very shy as a child and never thought I’d get into the same line of work or have anything to do with being a public figure.
But you did experiment with theatre as a child?
Yes, but there’s one thing about doing something as a hobby and another about doing it seriously. In my late teens, I did a lovely, heartwarming play called ‘Unspoken Dialogues’ with my father. That was quite a turning point for me.
My father was interested in unusual kinds of plays. For this one, he had done a workshop with a group of strangers, asking them to share their most personal thoughts – things they were scared to tell even those closest to them. It was almost like the unspoken dialogue of the heart.
I found that material fascinating. I’ve always been drawn to deep stories. I’ve never been a fairy-tale person. I want to have conversations about things that matter – matters of the heart. My father and I connected a lot on that.
We turned it into a play with around 10 short stories or monologues, and I played about three very different characters. I got to explore the canvas of my emotions and realised that I really loved stepping into someone else’s shoes. I hadn’t experienced those things myself, but you draw from your own life and emotions.
Did the shyness disappear when you discovered acting?
When I stepped on stage for that play, it was a real epiphany. I was like, “That’s it. This is what I’m meant to do.” It was almost that feeling of “ta-da!”
My personality literally changed overnight. When you find what you’re meant to do, you have this insane amount of joy and confidence. I guess that’s when you know you’re on the right track. I did some more plays after that, but then very quickly I got into modelling.
You became the face of several major brands before moving into films. How did that transition happen?
I had some very good luck with brands. I became the first face of Clean & Clear India and Gitanjali Jewellery. Things were just happening for me without much effort on my part. I got swooped into that world and started doing a lot of advertising. I was modelling seriously for about a year. Then I got a call from the casting department at Yash Raj Films. I auditioned for ‘Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year’ and cracked it. It happened really quickly!
Did you feel particularly lucky to have started with a lovely, fresh film like ‘Rocket Singh’?
Yes, I was amazingly lucky. I actually said this recently in a reel I put up – acting just fell into my lap. ‘Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji’ happened, followed by ‘Housefull 2’. I also did three South Indian films, including one with Ram Charan. It was a completely different world. Living in Chennai, waking up at 4 a.m. and shooting in the hot sun every day was tough, but these are the experiences that shape you.
And then music called…
Yes. I’ve always been someone who sings and hums. Music has always been my therapy. It’s the tool I go to if I’m bored, sad or happy. In my free time, I’m on Spotify discovering new songs and artists.
I’ve been drawn to it since I was a kid. I used to make my own mixtapes with funky beats. I even got into music production, in a very amateur way, making my own songs, jamming on the Casio and recording my stuff. It was just my heart leaning towards this side of things.
You had already established yourself through films. What made you go back to being a student of music?
After I’d done these big films and earned a name for myself, I’d created an identity of my own because I got everything on my own merit. In fact, with some of the films I did, people on the teams didn’t even know whose daughter I was. But after the high of those films, I was still searching. There was a part of me that felt, “There has to be something more for me to explore creatively.”
That’s when I said, let me go back to what I love the most and what is actually home to me. Music is home for me. It’s very natural. It’s not something that has been taught in a sense. It just comes from my heart.
Of course, I’ve sung with my mother growing up, but at that point I said, “I want to take this up seriously.” So I went back to the basics and became a student all over again. I spent hours training and became obsessed with it.
And now you’re moving into original music. Tell us about your first single, ‘Raatan Kaaliyan’.
I eventually decided I wanted to work on original music because I love composing. I worked on some original songs and now finally I’m releasing my first song, ‘Raatan Kaaliyan’.
I would describe it as a groovy, melancholic song. It’s deep and profound. It’s about how the nights are a time when I really reflect on my life – when the world is quiet, there’s nobody around and you sit alone with your thoughts.
You reflect on so many things. You think, “What was I like 10 years ago? How would I do things differently now?” It’s also a reflection of how my perspective on love has changed and evolved over time – what I thought love was and what love really is.
The song actually circles back to my husband because it is a letter to him.
That’s beautiful. What inspired you to write it as a letter to your husband, Ashish Kanakia?
He’s the epitome of a green-flag guy. He’s incredibly supportive, fuels me in so many ways and motivates me about my work. We’ve become this little team that’s constantly problemsolving. When challenges come up, we work together.
He really wants me to achieve my dreams – sometimes more than I do. Someone who encourages you to live your purpose and dreams is such a gift. To have a partner who is so supportive of my career and sees how passionate I am about music is really special.
You and your mother recently came together for ‘The Soundtrack of Us’…
My mom is my in-house guru and the one who taught me singing, so I wanted to create something to celebrate our musical partnership. ‘The Soundtrack of Us’ is almost like a play, where we share stories of growing up together in our creatively chaotic family and how music became the glue that bound us. We also sing some of our favourite songs and duets. Our first show at NMACC went really well.
Your father, ad guru and theatre great Alyque Padamsee, left an extraordinary legacy. What are the values or lessons from him that continue to guide you?
My dad motivated me to find my purpose, even if it was through tough love. He would say, “You cannot be someone who doesn’t work.” He encouraged me to find what I was put on this earth to do. That lesson has been the loudest one for me because I’ve actually embodied it.
And how would you describe your mother, singeractress Sharon Prabhakar’s influence on you?
Mom has always been my bestie. She’s been my biggest cheerleader and emotional support from day one. Even when I wasn’t the best academically, she’d say, “Oh my God, you’re the best!” We don’t have a typical mother-daughter relationship. We really are best friends.
How do you and your husband inspire and support each other as you pursue your individual careers and goals?
We communicate a lot. We share the challenges we’re facing, whether they’re personal or at work, and we’re very much each other’s supporters. We have a ritual every day where we check in with each other, even if it’s a really busy day. I feel so grateful to have such an amazing husband who is also my best friend. And I have the best family as well. His parents are literally angels. They’re sweet, supportive, loving and my extended family.
What does success mean to you today?
I don’t want to be clichéd, but there is success in the real world, which everybody strives for. But I think the most important thing is to be genuinely happy with yourself and with the effort you’re putting in.
Rapid Fire
Three words that describe you? Optimistic, a deep thinker and a lover of life.
One song that’s always on your playlist? ‘Lady’ by Modjo. It’s such a fun song and, in a way, the soundtrack of my growing-up years. Also Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean’.
Your favourite way to unwind? I’m a huge foodie, so my favourite way to unwind is to go to my favourite restaurant and have a cheat meal, which I do once a week.
