by Subhash K Jha

A sensational front-page story claiming that Himesh Reshammiya bad-mouthed Sonu Nigam whose concerts are now being conducted parallel to Himesh's in the US, has Himesh perturbed.

"I never said things like 'Who's Sonu?' Why should I? I've the highest regard for Sonu as a singer. Some people are constantly trying to create a problem between us. I'd never speak ill of Sonu. I respect him too much to talk badly of him."

Himesh says the war between him and Sonu is created by vested interests. "I'm tired of people trying to create a rift between Sonu and me. I've always said I'm a singer by chance whereas Sonu is a genuine singer and far more talented than me."

The singer-composer riding the waves of success feels he's much misunderstood. "My shyness is often misconstrued as arrogance. I'm too grounded and level-headed to let my success go to my head. I sincerely believe my success is due to God, my parents and the good wishes of lakhs of people."