Shankar Mahadevan, the singer-turned-music director of the Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy trio, is full of praise for the eagerly awaited "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" (KANK) of filmmaker Karan Johar, with whom they are working once again.

"Karan gets the best out of you. He is very sure about the kind of music he wants and the kind of music he doesn't want," Shankar said.

In an interview the singer with a silky voice defended the trio's music for KANK, saying criticism is a part of the game.

"At first critics said the entire KANK album is not up to the mark. After 'Mitwa' started ruling the charts, they started saying that it is the only good song in the film. So, criticism is a part of the game," he said.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: Your music for "Kal Ho Naa Ho" was listed in a recently conducted poll on 50 timeless melodies.
A: We feel extremely proud and happy to be part of that list. With the kind of hard work and dedication we put into our projects, it was an encouragement for the work we do.

Q: Your current track "Mitwa" from KANK is ruling the charts. You roped in Pakistani singer Shafqat Amanat Ali to sing for you. How was it working with him?
A: I heard a song from one of Amanat's albums on radio almost a year back. I liked his voice at that time and gathered details about him. Nothing happened for the next one year. When we composed "Mitwa", we had two options - either I lend my voice to it or get someone else. Since we wanted the song to be different, we decided to ask Amanat because he has a splendid voice.

Q: KANK is your second film with Karan Johar. Is he too demanding as a director?
A: Yes, Karan gets the best out of you. He is very sure about the kind of music he wants and the kind of music he doesn't want.

Q: What about the criticisms that KANK music received from some quarters?
A: We have got used to criticisms. It's a part of the game. At first, they said the entire album is not good. After "Mitwa" started ruling the charts, they started saying that it is the only good song in the film. Now that the title track is doing well, they will soon say that it's a good song. So, it keeps on happening and is a common phenomenon.

Q: Tell us about the new song "Rock and roll soniye" from the "KANK" album. Are you expecting another "Kajra re"?
A: The song is going to do extremely well. I saw the picturisation of the song just a couple of days back. It has Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan together again after "Kajra re" and will definitely rock the listeners.

Q: Recently you had also composed a jingle for Anil Ambani's firm? Any other non-film project you are working on?
A: We are working on a song for AIDS awareness called "Haath se haath mila", the lyrics of which have been penned by Javed Akhtar. The video of the song will feature many celebrities and will soon be out.

We also run a group called "Shakti" along with Ustad Zakir Hussain, Mandolin Srinivas, Jean and Selva Ganesh. We are planning something new soon.

Q: Who was your Guru?
A: It was Mrs. P.R. Balamani. She trained me in Carnatic music.

Q: Your dream song you wish you had sung?
A: It's very difficult to choose from a huge collection of songs that I wish I could have sung, especially the songs from yesteryears. But still, if given a chance, it would be "Abhi na jao chhod ke".

Q: The music director you would love to worked with?
A: It is one and only R.D. Burman saab.

Q: Any message to the people who were victims of the Mumbai bomb blasts?
A: It was one of the most horrible incidents. We have got to be strong and united in this hour of crisis and fight these acts of terror.