Karunya to record an album

Hyderabad's favourite to win the Indian Idol 2 title, N.C. Karunya, may be out, but he is certainly not down. Speaking from Mumbai, Karunya says, "I'm handling it very well. I don't think of it as a loss. I've been declared the Indian Idol by so many people, so why should I feel down?" He has a lot on his plate, although it looks like returning to his engineering studies is not on it. "My career has started," he says enthusiastically, adding, "If I went back to engineering now, it could affect my music career since people aren't going to sit around and wait for me to finish."

What he does disclose is that he will soon start recording an album as part of a contract with Sony. Although there is no word on which music directors or composers he will be working with on the album, Karunya says, "My dream is to work with A.R. Rahman. I think he's great. He's a genius!" However, the two haven't spoken about a collaboration yet. Responding to rumours that he has been offered a playback singing deal by Tollywood star Chiranjeevi, all Karunya will say is, "I've heard about it and I'm considering it."

He also admits that he has received feelers from both Tollywood and Bollywood. "A lot is happening right now. All I can promise is that you will be seeing a lot of more of me," says Karunya, who says he will return to Hyderabad for a brief visit before heading back to Mumbai to record his album.

Ever the diplomat, he refuses to comment on whether he got a raw deal because he was from the South, where the show was hardly advertised or promoted. "It was a good opening for me and my future couldn't be brighter," he says. Asked what the most memorable moment was and he responds. "After my first performance on the last day, Sonuji (Sonu Nigam) gave me a standing ovation. It is all those ovations and claps that I will always remember. So, why should I feel down?"

Why indeed? This young singer seems to be brimming with confidence and optimism, and it's impossible to remain disappointed about Indian Idol 2's outcome when he refuses to be.