I won’t sing on stage: Bhansali

Filmmaker and recently turned music composer, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has refused to sing for a gala that will unveil X Factor Season One’s finalists on Sony Entertainment.

Filmmaker and recently turned music composer, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has refused to sing for a gala that will unveil X Factor Season One’s finalists on Sony Entertainment. Even though he is the judge on the singing reality show and the channel is planning to rope in big artistes from Bollywood, the filmmaker is adamant.



Several international artistes like Jennifer Lopez are also being considered, but no names have been finalised yet. "Jhalak Dikkhlaa Jaa’s first season was the first show I judged on TV, but I didn’t dance on it. I interacted and enjoyed myself with some of the finest people from the industry. Similarly, I love music, I compose and even hum songs, but that doesn’t mean I will sing on stage for a national audience," says Bhansali.

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"I can’t even begin to imagine what I will sound like when I’m made to sing alongside Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Niigaam and infinitely talented contestants. I think the stage belongs to my co-judges and the participants, not me." Sanjay would rather stick to singing in his bathroom and humming along with the Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey classics that he listens to in his car. "All those good ole’ songs that I grew up with, have given me a fantastic ear for music," he adds.



When asked which songs he likes to sing, Sanjay pinpoints ‘Abhi na jao chhod kar…’ from Dev Anand’s Hum Dono (1961). Considering it’s a romantic song and romance has been a strong element in all of Sanjay’s films, has he ever sung the song for anyone?



"Yes, I have," blushes Sanjay. "I’ve sung this song to someone special several times. I still sing the song, whether the person is around or not. But hey, I’m not naming the mysterious Miss. Let her identity remain hidden."