Shankar Mahadevan started his career as a Playback singer. Born at Chembur in Mumbai, Shankar Mahadevan hails to be from a Palakkad Based Tamil Iyer Family. Shrinivas Khale was his Musical Guru. He is part of the famous Musical trio which had composed music for notable films from which some of them include Mission Kashmir (Hindi), Aalavandhan (Tamil), Dil Chahtha Hain (Hindi), Kal Ho Naa Ho (Hindi), Bunty Aur Babli (Hindi), Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (Hindi), Taare Zameen Par (Hindi), Housefull (Hindi), Vishwaroopam (Tamil) and 2 States (Hindi).