NEWLY released ballad Sleepless Nights is the second single from singer-songwriter Shabam. Originally from India and now based in Los Angeles, the new music talent has delivered a lyrically strong track powered by emotion-filled vocals and an impactful melodic structure.
Eastern Eye found out more about the soulful newcomer by getting him to choose 10 songs he loves.
Evergreen by Yebba: One of my favourite artists seems super authentic and has amazing voice control. The song starts with drums and leads straight into vocals. It has a groovy yet, smooth feel, even with so much going on in terms of production.
Break My Heart Again by Finneas: An artist I listen to daily. I relate to his song writing because it’s similar to mine. The lyrics of this song are so on point that anybody can relate to it. The way the story has been told will almost make you imagine the whole song.
October Sky by Yebba: This song introduced me to Yebba and I absolutely fell in love with her. This track has hands down some of the best lyrics I’ve ever heard. My favourite lines from the second verse are: ‘you could cut the pollution with a butter knife, you could wake p at two and then party all night’. This song is just amazing.
Easy On Me by Adele: How could I not add Adele to my playlist? She is a musician that inspires every artist. I’ve always loved piano ballads, so there is no reason why I wouldn’t love this.I absolutely love it when she belts her voice in the chorus. It’s a heartfelt song and so relatable.
Blue Ain’t Your Color by Keith Urban: I’ve always loved Keith Urban. He falls under the ‘country’ genre, but the vocal melodies he comes up with are so much like mine. I absolutely love the lyrics f this song. It’s romantic where he is talking about how he would be the right guy for her, which is kind of cute.
Little Black Submarines by The Black Keys: I love how this band maintains a perfect balance of acoustic and then a rock vibe in the later parts of the song. I personally find the lyrics vague, which is good because it makes the listener think what it is about. That also means everybody might have a different interpretation of the song.
Kiss by Prince: I can say without doubt that every artist on this planet loves Prince. Kiss is one of my favourites from him and there are so many good things about it. This song is playful, but if you really read the lyrics, it says that he likes a girl who isn’t materialistic and someone who he would like to be with.
Love Of My Life by Queen: I’ve always loved Queen and specifically, Freddie Mercury. This song starts with a soulful piano and touch of harp before the vocals kick in. It’s heartfelt and not as intense as other Queen songs. The lyrics are definitely emotional and deep.
The Woman I Love by Jason Mraz: I can talk about Jason Mraz for hours. That’s how good he is! This song isn’t as famous as his others yet it’s one of my favourites. It’s super positive like his other songs. What I like most about this song is the way he describes the woman he’s in love with. It’s thanking her for existing and he feels blessed and lucky to be with her.
Sleepless Nights by Shabam: I had to put one of my own songs in the list. As much as I love all these other artists, I’m also a fan of my own work. I have always been big on self-belief; hence this song talks about hope. It starts with a soothing piano which is followed by my vocals. Later in the chorus, I transit into my beautifully controlled false voice followed by the second verse where the strings enter.
Instagram: @shabamofficial
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.