Debojit wows audience with single renditi

London, Nov. 6: The placard publicising Himesh Reshammiya's Aap Kaa Surroor concert in London does not carry Debojit Saha's picture. His rival in the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2005 finals, Vineet Singh, is there, as is Indian Idol Abhijeet Sawant, flanking the star singer-composer himself.

But do not read any politics into this. It has nothing to do with the fact that Himesh was Vineet's mentor and had campaigned against Debojit on camera. Rather, it is proof of how busy the Silchar lad has become.

"The dates of the tour were clashing with my shooting dates so I had to refuse Himeshji. But he would not take a no for an answer, saying that even Amitabh Bachchan had juggled dates to accommodate him. After that, I had to do my best to be present on the first night, even though I can't continue with the rest of the tour," Debojit smiles modestly, sitting at the dinner table after the show at Wembley Arena on October 29.

No, Debojit is not turning into a filmstar (like Himesh Reshammiya). Following in the footsteps of singer Shaan, he is set to anchor the Bengali version of the musical contest Sa Re Ga Ma Pa for Zee Bangla. "I am very excited about this new challenge. I will have to shoot three episodes a day," says Debojit, who will be parking himself in Calcutta for the shooting for 16 days sometime this month.

When he is not shooting, it is the stage that is keeping him busy. He came in straight from Guwahati after a show on October 27 and at Itanagar on October 25. "The response has been great," he says. Successful shows on his homepad notwithstanding, the magic of the London venue has made him greedy. The applause he received when he took the stage after Vineet, and sang out a full-throated Dil keh raha hain, must have stoked his hunger. "I do solo three-hour shows these days," he tells everyone who compliments him on his single rendition that night.

How big is the Wembley Arena? Forget numbers and consider this. Though dwarfed by the iconic arch of the Wembley Stadium under renovation next door, the Arena has played host to Cliff Richard, Madonna, Prince, Christina Aguilera.

It has recently undergone a 35 million renovation. So Debojit cannot be blamed for itching to have such a stage to himself.

At the hotel, though, it is his fans who are scrambling to speak to him and be photographed with him. With wife Bandana away, Debojit looks distinctly uncomfortable dealing with the bevy of female admirers clad in shimmering chiffons. Yet he braves it all in Hindi, addressing men, women and the media, and flashing a smile when language falters or fails.

Asked about his plans for his second Hindi album, Debojit says his recording company wants to release a Northeast album first. "I must find time to dub for that," he muses. Hours away from a flight to Calcutta and the shooting floor, the words sound almost like a mission statement.