'My marriage is over'

Sunidhi Chauhan speaks straight from the heart. Rachana Dubey

Were you disappointed with the reactions Yeh mera dil from Don received?
True, there were mixed reactions. Some said that I was husky and some complimented me. I feel had I sung the song on a higher note it would have sounded even better.

Reportedly there was a rift between Asha Bhosle and you over the Mehbooba mehbooba song in Ramu Ke Sholay.  
I don't know where this originated. It is absolutely false. How could we have a rift when  the original Mehbooba mehbooba didn't even have a female voice. I've sung another song which was initially offered to Ashaji. Probably, she wasn't informed about the change.

Who would you say are your competitors?
I don't think we're kids at a school marathon. Singing is a passion for me. I don't think that we need to be competitive to prove our worth. In fact, if I like a song, I call up the singers to compliment them on their achievement. I'm not envious about others. I'm not insecure either. Competing with colleagues only proves insecurity.

Why do you refuse to judge reality singing competitions?
I'm not in favour of reality shows. Contestants get carried away by the praise. They think they're stars and start basking in their own glory, which is harmful. They've more attitude than established singers. They don't realize that the show will not last forever. The adulation is only temporary. They fail to understand that, to be successful you have to work hard and be grounded.. I've been here for seven years and I can say with full confidence, neither my seniors,colleagues or me have an attitude problem like these new kids who I've come across do.

You agree there's too much rivalry among singers these days?
Most of us work together in combinations, either on live shows or on a film album. I don't know about others but I personally have a decent equation with my colleagues.

Are you friends with any of your female colleagues?
Yes. I share a great rapport with Mahalakshmi. 

Have your songs ever been re-recorded by another singer after you've recorded them?
Yes. It did happen quite often in the past when I wasn't considered to be a versatile singer. But today things are not the same. I don't have to experience  something as ridiculous as that.

What is stopping you from releasing your own private album?
I've two private albums to my credit. The first one was Aeira Gaira Nathu Khaira, which was a miserable flop. The second one could have done well but the music company didn't promote it well. I will work on my music album next year.

What's your equation with your parents now?
Perfect. 

On hindsight, do you feel your marriage to Bobby Khan was a hasty decision?
My marriage is over. I'm not going to look back and analyse it. 

There were rumours linking you to Anu Mallik and more recently to Sonu Nigam.
Me and Anu Mallik is a joke. He's a senior music composer.  I consider Sonu Nigam my guru. How can anyone even say we are having an affair? I've heard these rumours so often that I've stopped reacting to them.

d_rachana@dnaindia.net