ON SONG: Music director Anu Malik It seems filmmaker Sooraj R Barjatya has informed music director Anu Malik not to deviate from his film Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon (MPKDH) while giving interviews these days.

We meet Malik at the Rajshri office in Prabhadevi, and no matter what we ask him, he comes back to... ummm... MPKDH.

Since the films music is being released this week, one can understand Maliks enthusiasm.

Whats particularly interesting is that instead of choosing his regular artistes Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik, the composer has gone in for fresher voices.

While KK will sing for Hrithik Roshan, Shaan will sing for Abhishek Bachchan. Kareena Kapoor will be represented by Chitra and Sunidhi Chauhan.

Alka, Sonu and Udit are fantastic. But we began working on this films music around two-and-a-half years ago. And we wanted to create songs that sounded fresh three years later. Thats why we chose singers whod sound different.

For the heroes, I chose individual voices, instead of having a khichdi. For the heroine, Chitra will represent the purity and Sunidhi will represent the passion, explains Malik.

While lyrics have been penned by Dev Kohli, sound design is by Ranjit Barot. Malik is naturally thrilled with his experience of working for the Rajshris.

As a youngster, I had always wanted to work with them. After I saw Maine Pyaar Kiya, I told Soorajji that I was keen on working with him. Though I had to wait a while, its a dream come true, he says.

Armed with his harmonium, Malik describes each song by singing them. Obviously, hes enjoyed his experience. How does he rate the musics chances in these days of terrible album sales? He replies, Theres been a buzz around this music.

So obviously people have high expectations. I dont want to comment on sales and such things. All I want to say is that hard work never fails.

We next ask him what else hes working on. He says: Theres J P Duttas LOC Kargil, Apoorva Lakhias Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost and Gurinder Chadhas Bride And Prejudice. The music for each film is different, but at the moment, Im banking on MPKDH.

Was he happy with the response to Ishq Vishk? Malik replies, Working with Ken Ghosh was fun. He was sure of what he wanted. The subject was very fresh, and so is that of MPKDH.

The next question is on Gurinder Chadhas film. Maliks answer, Its too early to describe things in detail. But we are putting in a lot of effort. This is a very big film for me, just like MPKDH.

How does one divert him from MPKDH? We have an idea, and ask: Did you feel sidelined at the awards ceremonies last year? Malik shoots back: I think Ive outgrown that after I won the National Award for Refugee. Yes, I did feel hurt when some people didnt select Asoka, but its okay. Im not that bothered now.

Just when we think hes been distracted from Barjatyas film, Anu says, At the moment, Im pretty excited about MPKDH. In the next 10 or 12 days, well get to know the response. Maybe we should wait for the next interview to ask him about other things.