Anu is on cloud nine-Article

Indian Idol judge Anu Malik is in a very good mood these days. No, he has not scored any chart topping song lately, it's just that he is elated with the talent that he and his co-judges have scouted for Indian Idol 3 and this is now reflecting in show's TRPs. The show's latest TVR is 4.9 and Anu says this is just the beginning with eight more weeks to go.

"I was congratulated by Sony, Freemantle and Miditech (the production companies) for bringing such great talent to the show. It brought tears in my eyes when they praised my efforts," says the veteran music composer. "After the auditions I felt so exhausted and ill that I had to be hospitalised for a week during the piano rounds." But the efforts have paid rich dividend and Anu is happy that Indian Idol is mopping up huge eyeballs.

Reacting to the allegation that his comments are often discouraging and he is unduly harsh to the contestants, Anu says, "I don't think I am harsh at all. On the contrary, I try to motivate them to do their best because when they don't sing well, I get emotionally disturbed. They all are such fantastic singers that I don't want them to lose their chance with one bad performance. If I sound harsh, I really can't help it because that's the way I am."

www.deccan.com