Others won’t get the kind of response I did: Abhijeet Sawant

His claim to fame was being the first winner of one of the most popular reality shows on television. Eight obscure years after being adjudged the first Indian Idol, Abhijeet Sawant is back with another album, 'Farida'. But the singer is quick to add that he’s had enough of reality shows. TOI caught up with Abhijeet, talking about his acting stint and how reality show contenders now don’t make him insecure.
Indian Idol one ka craze can’t be repeated
The first Indian Idol was such a successful show. Humein uske baad itna kuch karne ki zaroorat nahi padi. It has been eight years since I won that reality show, but people still recognize me as ‘Indian Idol Abhijeet’. Jo pyaar tha, jo following thi, it wasn’t the same for the following seasons. The craze that people had for Indian Idol 1 has not and will never be repeated. The scale at which we have worked, that level was completely different and it hasn’t been repeated.
Main singer hi khush hoon
In all this time, I have tried my hand at literally everything. I did a movie, I became a radio jockey. In reality shows also, I took part in many of them, not just singing. I participated in Comedy Circus, I danced. But I have realized this – main singer hi khush hoon. Basically it’s a full circle that I have taken and I’m happy to be back to what I am, a musician. They were experiments, some people liked them also. But I don’t want to go back there now. I want to focus on singing again. I am happy shooting for my music videos, usse zyada acting nahi karni.
I was never insecure about other reality show contestants
In all these seasons, with so many contestants from all over India, I have never felt insecure. Because I know, they will not receive the same response I did. Jab main Indian Idol 2 ka finale host kar raha tha, that was the time I was a little worried. People said, ‘Ab doosra Indian Idol aayega, tumhara time khatam.’ But that never happened. There have been so many shows, but I know how to survive. I still have offers from reality shows, but I am trying to avoid the temptation. I have had enough for now.
At times, the title worked against me
I have always been a shy person. Agar Bollywood mein kuch karna hai, you have to struggle. You have to go and approach them, go for auditions; you have to keep approaching people. I never tried dhang se. Main jab baahar nikla, mere sar pe already ek title tha. Wapas phir se struggle, yeh sab bahut ajeeb ho jata tha. The title worked negatively for me in this way, ki agar main kahin jata tha, I was treated differently – whether in a good way or bad.
Everybody is passionate about Sufi music these days
Times have changed. I can’t keep doing the same thing that I did four years ago. People associated me with light, soothing romantic tracks. But with Farida, I have come out of my comfort zone. These days, from Bollywood to other music industries, everyone is composing Sufi music. We have heard all other genres before, but Sufi is comparatively new to me. So I have taken up the challenge and composed a Sufi song. Toh maine language, pronunciation classes lin, I tried to bring in that Punjabi, north wala accent to make that song more rustic.