In an artistic shift that has captured the attention of his fans and devotional music enthusiasts alike, Bollywood icon Akshay Kumar has once again stepped into the recording studio, this time to lend his voice to a spiritual anthem dedicated to Lord Shiva. Known predominantly for his dynamic acting prowess, Akshay Kumar’s musical journey has taken an exciting turn with the release of the single titled “Shambhu”, which showcases a new facet of the superstar’s talent.
Self-proclaimed as a bathroom singer, Kumar has never been shy to explore his musical interests. His creative endeavors have seen him oscillate between various aspects of music, from crooning the soothing “Mujh mein tu hi” for the film Special 26 in 2013 to flexing his rap skills alongside Snoop Dogg for the title track of the movie Singh Is Kinng in 2008, culminating in the quirky “Toilet ka jugaad” for Toilet: Ek Prem Katha in 2017. Now, he returns to the mic singing “Shambhu,” which promises to stand out as one of his most heartfelt performances – a devotional piece that resonates with the actor’s personal reverence for Lord Shiva.
While the initial plan for Akshay Kumar was merely to grace the music video of “Shambhu” with his commanding presence, the song’s creators, composer Vikram Montrose and music supervisor Meggha Bali, envisioned a larger role for the actor. Inspired during the crafting of the track, they proposed the idea of having Kumar vocalize a particularly challenging segment of the song. Initially surprised by the proposition as it demanded a high pitch, Kumar took on the challenge after some persuasion.
Montrose shared his excitement on Akshay Kumar taking up the singing role: “Just when we had integrated additional layers into the composition, we pondered over inviting Akshay sir as a singer. He was initially taken aback with our pitch, as it was no easy feat, yet we were convinced that his vocal texture would only enhance the track. Once he consented, it was a delight to see him arrive at the studio fully prepared. His commitment was evident as he meticulously absorbed every nuance of the song and welcomed our feedback with open arms. His profound adoration for Lord Shiva permeated each line he sang, infusing the hymn with authenticity and devotion.”
The intensity of Kumar’s dedication shone through when he arrived at the recording session. Montrose and his team were impressed by the actor’s meticulous preparation and his willingness to incorporate every bit of advice into his performance. The outcome is a celestial number, with the song’s music video depicting Kumar as an earnest devotee, adorned with a rudraksha necklace, sporting dreadlocks, and his forehead marked with holy ash.
Lyricist Abhinav Sekhar, who has collaborated with Kumar on numerous projects, including the 2023 release Selfiee, has provided the lyrics for “Shambhu”. This devotional song, with its release timed to coincide with the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri, explores a different dimension of Kumar’s artistic expression. Speaking on Kumar’s interaction with the song, Sekhar commented, “Akshay sir immediately connected with the lyrics. With unwavering enthusiasm, he recorded it in just one day, and that too, in the wee hours of the morning, after significant rehearsal.”
The release of “Shambhu” is not just a testament to Akshay Kumar’s versatility as a performer but also enlightens the audience on the actor’s personal connection to the divine. As the single makes its way to listeners today, it stands as a representation of the actor’s continual pursuit of new creative horizons and his desire to capture the essence of devotion through the medium of song.
