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'I'm the best'
As real as the news on TV, Abhijeet claims only a hero can do justice to his voice onscreen. And he'll only wear a burqa like Himesh Reshammiya if his wife and girlfriend are in the same place
ZINIA SEN Times News Network
Did you say you would quit Voice of India, if Alka Yagnik quits?
• Onscreen we are a hit combination. The viewers loved us in Little Champs. In many ways Alka complements me, so it's obvious for me to quit Voice of India, if Alka quits. Just because I'm judging, doesn't mean I'm doing a job. I have other commitments. Look at Bappi Lahiri, judging has become a full-time job for him.
Are you on talking terms with Aadesh, another judge on the panel?
• I've always got along well with Aadesh. But we are two completely different persons on the set. But yes, our onscreen differences have taken a toll on us and I've become somewhat reluctant to speak to him these days.
It's popularly believed that such differences are nothing but gimmicks…
• I'm as real as the news channels. Judges don't have scripts so they are originals.
How competitive is the new crop of talent?
• I'm brand new, I don't know about the rest. Don't I sound different everytime I sing a number? Will you be able to name the male voices of the very popular Kajra re? Even in flop numbers people recognise my voice.
What about Himesh Reshammiya's popularity?
• I don't want to talk about him.
But would you visit a mosque in a burqa? Do you need to?
• If my girlfriend is in the same place as my wife, I might need to resort to burqa to be with her. Not that stars haven't been to Ajmer before! I think this was one of those desperate attempts to be in the news. What if Baba likes him so much that his entire life he would need to be in purdah?
What about friends in the industry?
• I don't have any. I'm the best friend to anyone who needs me. When Hrishikesh Mukherjee passed away, his best 'star' friend was nowhere around. I don't believe in being friends with the industrywallahs. My friends are nowhere related to this industry.
Don't you suit SRK's voice the best?
• My voice suits only the hero and no one else. You have to be hero material to do justice to my voice. Both Emraan Hashmi and Rajpal Yadav look the same but one is the hero and the other isn't. Know what I mean?
Do you still maintain that you are the best?
• Absolutely. I'm not a part of the number race, but I think I'm the best.
Then why is it that we get to hear less of you these days?
• Because I'm not singing too many numbers. These days, a lot of importance is being given to the music. A good singing voice is no longer a priority. Music directors want their music to be heard. My voice is such that it always dominates. But you won't miss out on my album and the upcoming Om Shanti Om.
What's your favourite number, for a year now the ringtone of your cellphone is Lamha Lamha from Gangster?
• Lamha lamha is a lovely number that never found place in the promos (laughs). Before this I had Tauba tumhare yeh ishare. Before that they were no ringtones! Trust me, ringtones have hardly got anything to do with being favourites. Two numbers which are really close my heart are Aankhen bhi from Haasil and Tumhe kaise main bataun from Dastak.
So, who is your muse?
• There are two women who have given me dhakka, literally. The first one is my mother and the second one too is my mother (laughs).
What's happening on the family front?
• Met my third son last week. I have taken full responsibility of Arif Sheikh, this year's Madhyamik topper. He had said that I'm his inspiration and I think his tale is no less inspiring for the rest. .@timesgroup.com
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