Indian American singer Sanjaya Malakar could not sing the song of his choice at the "American Idol" talent hunt show because it wasn't accepted by the show's sponsors.

Malakar, while speaking on a radio station in Seattle, said that during the show's country week he wanted to sing Janis Joplin's song "Mercedes Benz" but was not allowed to do so because the show was sponsored by Ford, reports newsweek.com.

Asked what he missed most about his home he replied: "Being able to walk around the streets singing really, really loudly and not worrying about anyone recognising me..."