Aditya is ahead of me in many respects: Udit Narayan

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Proud papa Udit Narayan is happy that his son Aditya is anchoring Zee TV's 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' at this young age. Willing to make a good citizen of his son, Udit gives all his best wishes to Aditya. He knows well that there is a tough competition between 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' and 'Indian Idol' on Sony for which Udit is a judge. In a recent tÊte-À-tÊte, Udit talks about his son, his career and lots more. Here is the excerpt.

On one hand, your son is an anchor in Zee and, on the other hand, you are a judge in Sony? This is indeed a tough competition between a father and son indeed.
He is quite young now, but seeing people's love for him it feels nice as a father. Many people have told me that he is much better than me and as a father I too think so. But, I think that the competition between us, as an anchor and a judge, is intense.

How do you feel when people compare you with your son?
Like any other father, even I feel proud when people compare me with Aditya. I might be his father, but feel that I am much behind him. At his age, he has learnt a lot and has many other qualities that I did not possess at his age.

What advice do you give him as a father?
I want to make him a responsible citizen and a good human. Thus, I keep reminding him of his roots. I always tell him to respect his elders and teachers. He might have been born to a father who is well known, but he always has to remember that a good character and ethics help in building a good personality, which in turn leads to the progress of a person.

Are you happy that he has chosen to anchor 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa'?
Aditya always likes the show, but he once told me that it would be too early for him to anchor such a show. However, when the offer came to him, he had a talk with me and then decided to anchor the show. Currently, he is in the second year at Mithibai College and is yet to complete his graduation. I'm happy that people like him as an anchor.

What advice do you give him as a singer?
I have already told you that he is much ahead of me in some matters. So I do not have to give him any advice as a singer.

A great singer like Asha Bhosle is giving him singing tips. What do you have to say for that?
The goddess herself is showering her blessing on Aditya. What else can I ask for? Since childhood I have seen a habit of research in him and now with the blessings of Ashaji, I'm confident that he will be able to achieve whatever he wishes for.

Aditya has done a diploma in English contemporary music? How much will it be of a help to him?
Since childhood, I have seen an urge in him to become a good singer. He has learnt Indian classical music and to do well in the international market, he has also learnt English contemporary music. Today is a time for a versatile singer to have his hold on all kinds of music. Thus, I'm confidant that the course, which he has done, will be of great help to him in his career.

You had once sung a song 'Papa Kehte Hain'. Do you feel that Aditya is doing the needful on your behalf?
A: (Laughs) I think it is pure co-incidence. Aditya was born in August 1987 and it was on the same time that this song sung by me had become a hit. I had never imagined in my life that my son would make this song a reality for me.