Sonu Niigam has returned to Indian Idol. But this time he has not returned as a judge but as a mentor. The talented singer who has proved his talent to the world will be seen giving some valuable tips to the contestants.

Tellychakkar met the mellifluous singer on the sets of Indian Idol 4 where he was more than up beat about his homecoming on Indian Idol. His sense of humour and self-effacing attitude is palpable when he chats about his association with television, music and his mistakes.

How has the journey been from Sa Re Ga Ma Pa to Indian Idol?

Fantastic. As every one knows my first show was Sa Re Ga Pa. Many people had advised me not to do that show. Javed Saab and Annu Malek told me that I should not take it up as it would divert me from singing. They were totally against the idea of a singer hosting a television show. As opposed to the recent trend, singers were never seen hosting a singing talent show at that time. It was an unusual phenomenon. My association has not just been with television but singing talent on television.

Why weren’t you seen in the third season of Indian Idol and like first and second seasons why aren’t you a judge in the current season?

I couldn’t do the third season as I was busy with my shows in America. As far as this season is concerned, I was not approached. Now I was approached to be a mentor on the show and I agreed to do so.

Considering the current reputation of reality shows weren’t you ever apprehensive of being a part of it?

I have never been part of a reality show where judges walk out, yell at the contestants and do such other dramatic things. I have only been a part of shows that are genuine. I never do something I don’t believe in. By being a part of these shows I felt I was making some contribution to music.

You are the only singer who has been a part of so many singing talent shows. Isn’t it better to be seen only in one show?

I did Sa Re Ga Ma Pa for five and a half years. After a point I was saturated so I moved on to do another show and one show after the other kept following. Now I am a part of Star Voice of India and Indian Idol 4. I took up Indian Idol as it is a different show in its own. The thought of being labelled with just one show never crossed my mind.

As a mentor what is the best advice that you have given contestants?

The best advice that I have given them is to practice singing at a low pitch. No wise singer does his riyaaz (singing practice) in a loud voice. It spoils the quality of your voice. You should not do riyaaz in a loud voice unless you want to prove something or do something else.

Why do you think a girl has never ever won the Indian Idol title?

The famous Hindi saying, ‘Aurat hi aurat ki sabse badi dushman hoti hai’ (A woman is a woman’s biggest enemy) truly applies in this case. I will explain how. Majority of the television audience comprises of women and the problem is that women do not vote for women. If they like the smile of a boy they will say, “He is so cute. I will vote for him.” This is not fair. It is women who generally vote for television shows and they usually vote for boys. Why can’t they vote for the right person keeping their biases aside?

Do these contestants remind you of your old days when you used to be a struggling singer?

Yes, to some extent but I was more desperate than them to become a singer.

The mistakes you have made in your career…

Oh! I have made many mistakes in my career and the biggest mistake was acting in the film Jaani Dushman.