Let my Love Sumedha remain a secret: Anee

Aneek Dhar, the winner of Zee Bangla's 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa', was notoriously famous even before he decided to be a contestant in the international version of the show, Zee's 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007'.

This young talent from West Bengal is a favourite with many, but he apparently has one favourite, and we are all dying to find out who it is.

Q: Do you think that the programme has provided you an identity?
A.: Yes, it has. People now know me better. Many Bollywood music directors want me to sing for them. And I'm really grateful for such opportunities.

Q: Who is the deserving winner of the show 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa'?
A.: I don't know. Only the audience and the God can tell you. Personally, my vote goes to Amanat Ali. I love him very much and he's my best friend.

Q: Would you like to make singing your career or will shift to some other field?
A.: 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' has been my dream since my childhood. I had the opportunity to come to Mumbai only because of this programme, and I want to make this my career. I'm working hard for it but I need your blessings and love, too.

Q: You already have won Zee Bangla's 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa'. What do you expect from your loyal fans back in West Bengal?
A.: West Bengal is my home and I received a lot of love from the people there. They expect me to win. I'm trying my best to keep their faith.

Q: Have you received any offers from film directors from West Bengal?
A.: Yes, Bappi Lahiriji has offered me to sing in a Bengali film. I have already sung some Bengali songs. My Bengali album will soon hit the market. I sang some title tracks for few Bengali serials. I have similar expectations from Mumbai, too.

Q: You have met many Bollywood personalities on 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa'. Have any of them made you any offers?
A.: No. Till now I have no such offer. But I'm happy that Salman Khan still recognizes me. He has asked someone about me, too. It's really beyond my expectation.

Q: Your guru, Himesh, has complete faith in you. Has he offered you any any work?
A.: He is the kind of person who will never offer anything on screen. If he feels that I can sing for him he'll call me up. I am confident that he'll offer me something someday.

Q: You were already a controversial figure when you entered 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa'. What did you feel then?
A.: I was really scared. The stage was then new to me and I had to prove myself. When Ismail Darbarji said, "you cannot step into a running vehicle", I was really tense. I even asked Aditya about what might happen next. And he inspired me by telling me that everything would be all right.

Making an impact within a short period was really a challenge for me. But later on all gurus started loving me and I got the love of people, too.

Q: You are the youngest among all the contestants. How is your relationship with the others?
A.: All of them – Raja bhaiya, Amanat, Punam didi, Sumedha – love me very much. But Amanat loves me most.

Q: Himesh has total faith in you but a few people think that your voice is still immature.
A.: I hold all of them in high honour. I would like to sing better so that I can win their hearts, too. I'm still working on my voice quality. My friends as well as the audience think that my voice is suitable for Shah Rukh Khan.

Q: Himesh is trying to make you the damaad of Bappida's gharana. What is your opinion?
A.: (starts laughing) It's true that Himeshji is trying to make me a groom for Bappi ji's gharana, but I have no such intention right now. I don't want to get involved in those matters. I want to concentrate on my singing.

Q: Tell us, Aneek, are you really in love?
A.: It's a secret and please let it be a secret. People will know the truth one day. But personally I can tell you that there's nothing like that…at least for the time being. - Rajnee Gupta