Sonu bails out of Indian Idol 3

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Monika

@monika.goel

Sparkler

Posted: 18 years ago

Sonu bails out of Indian Idol 3
By: Tushar Joshi
January 25, 2007

Sonu Niigaam
After judging the first two seasons of Indian Idol, Sonu Niigaam has decided he needs a break. The show's third installment will now have to make do without him. Presently holidaying in Egypt, Sonu says, "I'm not judging Indian Idol any more.

Quite frankly, they never approached me again either. I guess they needed a change as much as I needed time away from television. It's mutually beneficial for both parties."

No rivalry

On Tuesday, HiTLIST had reported that Sony approached Himesh Reshammiya to play judge along with Anu Malik, Farah Khan and Sonu. With this inclusion, sources say it was evident Sonu wouldn't want to be on the same panel as his rival.

Even though Sonu declines from giving a comment on this, a close friend of his reveals, "Himesh is not the reason for Sonu's decision to part ways with Indian Idol. He had made up his mind not to do the show a long time ago and was unaware that the channel had approached Himesh. These days, Sonu is busy with his concerts and really doesn't have time to bother about these things."

Niigaam concurs that his concert in Egypt was a truly remarkable experience. He says, "We put up a concert of a lifetime in Egypt a few days ago. Performing under the legendary pyramids was an indescribable feeling. For any artist, it's an extraordinary experience."

An official guest of the Egyptian Tourism Board, Sonu has also pencilled in some sightseeing on the trip. "I am here with friends and family, so we marked three days exclusively for taking in the sights and sounds of this wonderful country. It's an honour to be treated with such respect by a foreign government."

No rockstar

On the personal front, Sonu says he's learning to count his blessings these days. "I'm listening to God with humility now. I'm working, partying, going to different places and getting to know the rest of the world."

So is he a rockstar-turned-hermit now? Sonu cheekily says, "I'm not a rockstar. I'm a student of a profession that entertains people. I have no false assumptions about myself!"

Are you listening, Mr R?