Sonu's tribute to train blast victims

The singer waxes eloquent on his new single, his spiritual conquests and his future plans.

It's hardly been two days and Sonu Nigam's single with patriotic overtones, promoted as a tribute to Mumbai's train blast victims, has already won him acclaim. He says that TV channels are showing keen interest in the song that he has written, produced and conceptualised. The talented singer in a tte--tte with After Hours…

Why did you decide to come out with this single now, when the blast seems to be a distant memory?
The single was never meant to be a tribute to the blast victims. We had merely recorded the song and the blasts happened. It was so unfortunate. I am not looking at making money with this project. I don't need it. The idea behind the single is not to cash in on the blast. It's to rectify the definition of patriotism. Here, we see people killed in blasts, buses being blown up and still, we say we are proud of our country!

What is your idea of patriotism?
My idea is different. I don't believe in the saying 'Right or wrong, my country is always right.' We have to make things right for the country. Let's redefine the meaning of patriotism; that's the theme of my single too.

Is it true that you have become more spiritual after you returned from your Himalayan sojourn?
Please don't demean the word 'spiritual' by saying that. I am not spiritual. A lot of people feel that I have become spiritual but the fact is that I want to enjoy nature. It's not that I am enlightened with knowledge suddenly. Everyone is enlightened in his/her own way. I want to look at life in a broader perspective and not just confine it to my songs or music…or think about mundane things like how are my shoes, my car etc.

Are you cutting down on film assignments?
I have already cut down by around 10 per cent. I want to do stuff that I will be proud of.