Singer Shaan and actor Jackie Shroff led a wave of tributes on 5 June 2025 to mark the 80th birth anniversary of legendary playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, who passed away on 25 September 2020 at the age of 74 due to complications arising from COVID-19. The outpouring of remembrance across social media underscored how deeply the singer — fondly known as SPB — continues to resonate with fans and fellow artists alike.

Shaan's Tribute

Taking to his social media account, Shaan shared a photograph of the late singer dressed in a traditional maroon outfit with a cream-and-gold shawl, smiling warmly. In his post, Shaan wrote: 'Wishing Shri S.P. Balasubramanium Ji a Very Very 80th Happy Birthday !!! He may not be here physically but through his music and Magical Voice ... He is here with us .. Now and Forever !!'

The sentiment captured what millions of listeners feel — that SPB's voice, spread across more than 40,000 songs in multiple languages over a career spanning five decades, has outlasted his physical presence.

Jackie Shroff Remembers SPB

Actor Jackie Shroff also posted a tribute on his social media story, sharing a photograph of SP Balasubrahmanyam smiling while holding a microphone. The tribute was set to the song 'Yeh Mera Dil Toh Paagal Hai', sung by SP Balasubrahmanyam and Asha Bhosle. The post read: 'Remembering S P Balasubrahmanyam ji on his birth anniversary.'

A Career Etched in Musical History

SP Balasubrahmanyam was born on 4 June 1946 in Andhra Pradesh and built one of the most prolific careers in Indian film music. His 40,000-plus recordings span Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi, earning him six National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer.

Among his most celebrated Hindi songs are 'Mere Rang Mein Rangne Wali' from Maine Pyar Kiya, 'Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai' from Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, 'Bahut Pyar Karte Hain' from Saajan, and 'Yeh Haseen Vadiyan' from Roja. Each of these tracks became generational touchstones, cementing SPB's status as a voice that transcended regional and linguistic boundaries.

Legacy That Endures

SPB was admitted to a Chennai hospital in August 2020 after testing positive for COVID-19 and passed away on 25 September 2020 after nearly seven weeks of treatment. He was 74. His death prompted a national outpouring of grief, with tributes from the President and Prime Minister of India.

Five years on, the annual observance of his birth anniversary continues to grow in scale on social media, a testament to the durability of his musical catalogue. As the industry marks what would have been his 80th birthday, his voice remains, as Shaan put it, 'here with us — now and forever.'