'Sony considers me as the face of Indian Idol'

Bollywood composer Anu Malik, who has been associated with Sony channel's music reality show Indian Idol since its first season in 2004, says he is considered to be the face of the show.

Bollywood composer Anu Malik, who has been associated with Sony channel's music reality show Indian Idol since its first season in 2004, says he is considered to be the face of the show.

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The fourth season of the show starts September 19 and will be aired every Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m.

"I have been associated with the 'Indian Idol' since the first season and I feel comfortable working with Sony as they take care of me. They call me maverick and the face of the show," Malik told IANS at the announcement of the fourth season of the show here on Thursday.

Malik will judge the show along with lyricist Javed Akhtar, singer Kailash Kher and actress Sonali Bendre.

Reacting to the allegations of being rude to the participants on the show, he said: "I'm not rude but speak straight from the heart. I'm straight forward and speak the truth that I think has become my identity on the show."

"We have no right to mislead anyone by false praises because that causes more harm to that person. It's always good for a person to know the truth at the earliest so that one doesn't waste more time running after a thing, which he cannot achieve."

He says the channel has liked his approach to the show.

"And that's the reason I'm still here in the fourth season and that too with the power of 'casting vote'."

The composer, who featured as himself in the recent hit Rock On, says fans have started connecting with him after the show.

He said: "The response that I got on my intro scene at the premiere of Rock On proved my popularity. The whistles and applause that I received in that scene showed my acceptance in the public."

As a judge Malik has been given the special power of in the form of 'casting vote', and he can use it in case of a divided opinion between the four judges.

In the last season Malik had expressed his dissatisfaction on elimination of contestants because of misjudged voting from public.

"Public is the ultimate judge and we have to respect their verdict. I don't think there is anything wrong in voting through SMS because people are the best judges. We can express our likings, but their opinion should be final which gives the show its charm," he said.