Hailing from a modest background, this man of music has given innumerable hit numbers and won many accolades, including two National and five Filmfare awards.

Yet, there is an inherent sweetness and modesty about the talented singer. Santa Banta Team catches up with Udit .

The Beginning I got my singing genes from my mother Bhuvneshwari Devi, a folk singer. My beginning was modest, haling as I did, from a village background.

My father wanted me to become a doctor or an engineer but my passion would lead me to melas and small theatres where I would sing for as small a sum of money as four annas.

The Progression After completing my SSc in Bihar, I joined Kathmandu Radio Station where I worked for ten years. In 1978, I came to Bombay and here I learned classical music.

I was given my first break in playback singing by Rajesh Roshan in the film Unees- Bees (1980) but I tasted actual fame with the success of Papa Kehte hai in QSQT. Today I have sung songs in over 30 languages including Singhalam.

On Deepa, his Wife Deepa has been my strength for years. I met her when she was working as an airhostess. She is also a singer who has turned producer.

Ready for release is her new Bhojpuri film, Kab Kehba I Love You, with an item number performed, for the first time, by Yukta Mookhey.

On Making a Niche for Himself People ask me that though my genre is like Mohammad Rafi's yet I have been not able to step into his shoes. To them, my reply is that music is a creative job.

If I have been able to earn some name and fame among two hundred crore people, there must be something in me that they like.

My endeavour has been to be original and versatile. I have tried very hard for variations in my music. Although Rafi Sahib has been my role model, yet it is never fair to compare one artist with another.

On His Recent Controversy People are never happy if a person in the industry enjoys a spotless reputation. For the 28 years that I have spent in the industry, there has been no controversy whatsoever attached to me.

But things got blown out of proportion by the media and I remained upset for days on end. I also feel very bad when such questions are asked to me publically.

On His Son, Aditya Aditya short into fame when he sang the song Chotta Bacha Jaan ke. He also appeared as a child star in Jab Pyar Kisi se Hota hai and his work has really been appreciated.

Presently he is doing a course in western music in London and he is one of the few Asians who have won distinctions in the institute. However, only the future will tell what he plans to do.