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It's being touted as the album of the year. And not without reason. Chanda Ki Doli features the return of Sonu Nigam into pop albums after four long years.

The man, whose previous independent efforts like Deewana, Mausam and Jaan have always set the music store cash registers rocking, has strung together nine romantic numbers in his new compilation.

The launch of Chanda Ki Doli under the T-Series label has been planned to coincide with a documentary on Sony Entertainment Television titled Sensational Sonu Nigam — The Making of a Star and also a special concert by the star.

Before the album hits the racks and the video finds its way on to the airwaves, Sonu took time out to speak to Goodlife about his most recent musical venture.

Back beat

It's been quite some time Sonu has expressed himself musically. Chanda Ki Doli, feels the singer, will do the needful.

"All the songs are romantic numbers written by me over a period of one-and-a-half years. And since it's my first private album release after four years, it's quite special. The music label T-Series liked all the songs but found Chanda Ki Doli suitable for the title."

Sonu is pleased with the marketing blitzkrieg around his new album, aided by a collaboration between Sony and T-Series. "It's high time India did something about its dying music industry to bring it back to its feet. Such marketing tie-ups are essential to enlighten people about what you are doing. Everyone has to come together to promote music in a big way."

Inspired idols

The two-hour special Sonu concert, to be aired on Sony on June 10 at 8 pm, will feature Indian Idol finalists Abhijeet Sawant, Amit Sana, Prajakta Shukre and Aditi Paul coming together on a single platform to pay tribute to their former judge.

The concert will also have another finalist Rahul Vaidya anchoring the show while popular characters from Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai — Angad, Kripa and Amit Tandon — will put up a performance.

For Sonu, it is a dream come true to see struggling singers finding a foothold in the industry. "It's a big relief. These days, people do not have to go through the kind of struggles and humiliations that we have had to undergo. This whole gundagardi within the music industry has to be eliminated. Their concept is since they have struggled, everyone has to struggle. We have had to go through all this for 14 years and now, finally there are platforms like Indian Idol which create stars and not just winners."

Filmi funda

While Chanda Ki Doli is Sonu's sole thrust at the moment, he is equally charged up about his film singing assignments. "Parineeta, Paheli, Bunty Aur Babli — all my three songs in the three films have been huge hits. I have been very selective and exclusive with my songs in films. And I am very happy the way things have gone."

The man's filmi connections do not end there. The Sony documentary, to be telecast from June 6 to 9 daily at 8.30 pm, will see the likes of Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai talking about Sonu and the impact his singing has had on their lives and film careers.

"Both Aishwarya and Shah Rukh are very nice people. I am really looking forward to hear their comments in the documentary. All I can say is that I am really touched by their special appearances."

Passing point

For all those Sonu fans who have had to rely on cheap filmi gossip and rumour mills to know about the singer's personal life, The Making of a Star will showcase "his take on relationships, love and the controversies" that have plagued him over the years. "I'm okay with my personal life coming out in the open," he admits.

"It's better that things come from the horse's mouth rather than me being misquoted by the media."