'I apologise to Sonu'-Rocky

Sonu Niigaam

After Sonu Niigaam walked out of The Incredibles show recently (as reported by us on March 17, 'Sonu: Not so bubbly about Bunty'), organiser Rocky Kaushal has now flown down to Mumbai from London to sort out the issue.

However, Sonu is currently in Bangalore so Rocky is meeting his business manager Ben Thomas to clear the singer's misgivings about the show's publicity design.

'We're sorry'

Sonu walked out of The Incredibles concert because he was not being promoted as the show's main attraction (the other singers include Asha Bhosle, Kunal Ganjawala and Kailash Kher).

Rocky is now hopeful of convincing the singer to rethink his decision and come back on board for the show, slated to start May 10 onwards.

Rocky, who has known the singer since 1994, stresses that he has done several shows with Sonu and that they share a healthy working relationship.

"I am surprised that Sonu is feeling shortchanged in the show's publicity, and that he might not have enough to do in the show. He is the best male singer in India today, and I have always propagated The Incredibles as a Asha-Sonu Nite," he says.

A lot of money is riding on the concerts (to be held across North America, West Indies and the UK) and Rocky has no qualms about apologising to Sonu. He explains, "The campaign was misreported by a certain section of the media, which focussed more on Ashaji.

I guess this led Sonu to believe that we were publicising the show as an Asha Bhosle nite. I am sure Sonu will understand since I have come all the way to ensure that all his doubts get cleared."

Rock-solid support

Rocky continues, "Sonu has helped me often. Once, a senior actor walked out and it was Sonu who carried the entire show on his shoulders. I will never forget that.

We have already shot the promos of the show, so it will be very difficult for me if Sonu does not oblige. We apologise for the misunderstanding and for hurting Sonu's sentiments."

Adds Bunty Walia, who is scripting and directing The Incredibles, "I have worked with Sonu many times and we've never had a problem. In fact, I worked with Sonu for the Stardust awards three years ago and also did three concerts with him in UK. We love and respect him.

He has always been there for us. He did the Help Telethon concert for the aid of tsunami victims free of cost. I hope that everything gets sorted out and we rock the world from May 10."

http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2007/march/153742.htm