Singer Shaan, known for iconic tracks like ‘Chand Sifarish’ and ‘Musu Musu Haasi’, recently recalled a bizarre and unforgettable incident where he got a sudden, “short-lived” taste of Shah Rukh Khan-level stardom—all because of a case of mistaken identity.
In a conversation with Humans of Bombay, Shaan revealed that after he was featured on the cover of the sensual album ‘Jism’ in 2003, schoolgirls mistook him for the King of Bollywood himself, leading to a frantic police rescue.
The ‘Jism’ Cover Confusion
Shaan’s album ‘Jism’, which featured hit tracks like ‘Jaane Kyun’ and composed by M.M. Kreem, became a massive rage upon release. While the music was popular, it was the album’s cover art that created an unexpected frenzy.
“The ‘Jism’ album made news… I was on the cover in a very sexy pose. I had a small bum-chin and when schoolgirls saw it, they thought it was SRK’s picture. So they thought it was Shah Rukh Khan’s album,” Shaan recalled .
The confusion was so widespread that girls began surrounding the singer wherever he went, convinced they were seeing the Bollywood megastar.
‘Girls Were Running & Screaming’
The height of the frenzy occurred when Shaan visited Delhi for a show. Stepping out in Connaught Place, he was ambushed by a mob of excited schoolgirls.
“At that time, I had cut my hair short. So I went to Connaught Place and there were so many schoolgirls. Girls were running & screaming. They thought I was Shah Rukh Khan. I was like ‘This is crazy!'” he said .
The situation quickly spun out of control. The police had to intervene, and Shaan needed an escort to escape the scene. “The police had to literally push us into the car!” he recalled.
‘I Realised What Superstars Go Through’
The incident gave Shaan a fleeting glimpse into the chaotic world of a Bollywood superstar—a world he admits he isn’t built for.
“That day I realised what superstars go through every day. The frenzy can be jarring. I went home and was thinking… it was very short-lived,” he said .
However, the singer was quick to clarify that this was a one-time event. “Thank God people don’t mistake me for him anymore!” he added with a laugh .
More Than a Voice
Shaan is currently one of the judges on the singing reality show ‘Indian Idol 16’. In the same interview, he also opened up about his financial struggles, revealing that while his playback singing career took off in 2004, he earned a paltry Rs 1,500 for his first film song.
Today, Shaan remains one of the most beloved voices in the country, but for one brief moment in 2003, he also got to experience what it felt like to be India’s most loved star.
