/> It looks like he's unstoppable. After fobbing off several offers to face the camera, Himesh Reshammiya was seriously tempted by an author-backed role that gave him a chance to play a musician. "But I said no finally. I've seen what has happened to other musicians who've attempted acting. I don't want any distractions from my music."

If there was any doubt about Himesh Reshammiya's astonishing across-the-billboard popularity, IIFA this year has put it to rest.

The composer-singer who again bagged the best vocalist's award was given full-on rock-star treatment by the audience. According to eyewitnesses Himesh was mobbed by hysterical fans with far more gusto than some of the more visible stars who attended the event.

His 10-minute act where he performed 9 of his songs live was the single biggest highlight of the IFFA this year.

Jet-lagged and over-worked Himesh is jubilant. " This wasn't the first time I was attending IFFA. But the thrill of attending when I was nominated for both singing and composing and was supposed to perform, was something else."

Himesh held the audience with 9 of his chartbusters for ten minutes. "The credit must also go to choreographer Shiamak Davar and his wonderful dancers who accompanied me on stage. I sang live and some portions of the performance I sang without any music or orchestra. Even others Akshay Kumar, Upen Patel performed to my songs at IIFA. So I guess I was well represented"

The most moving moment for Himesh came later. "I called my father Vipin Reshmmiya on stage when I got my award. It was a moment of great triumph for me. My dad had been a musician with Laxmikant-Pyarelal and other composers.

Whatever I've learnt was through him..Another big moment came when Sanjay Gupta's Alibaug was launched at IIFA. I'll be attempting a totally different musical style in Alibaug"

It has been a season of awards for Himesh. "More for singing, though I was nominated at almost every award for my compositions in Aashiq Banaya Aapne. It's been a heady season. But I haven't changed. I still have to compose at least 2-3 songs every day. I've a bank of thousands of songs."

Is he happy to be as popular as a singer as he is as a composer? "I was always a singer. But one has to wait for the right moment to do things in life. Once I was established as a composer I allowed my singing to surface.

Today producers want me to do both, and to appear in music videos supporting their films. I've no problem with any of this. Why not?

If my music snd songs help a film to sell, I'd be foolish to shy away. As long as I'm not expected to act in films I don't mind. I'm very firm about turning down acting assignments. Mujhe wohkaam karni hi nahin hai."