'I'm the biggest Indian pop star'

India's latest music sensation Himesh Reshammiya crows about his achievements.

He is one of the few stars who, in real life, looks the way they do in films. Himesh Reshammiya, who was recently in Dubai to perform at the Aap Kaa Surroor concert, was wearing his trademark faded jeans, his cap and his unmistakable 5 O'Clock shadow beard.

The only thing that was missing was a smile. But then Reshammiya more than made up for it with that attitude.

His air of superiority seemed to stem from the fact that he's fully aware of his widespread fame and unparalleled success. He unashamedly says that he is the "biggest pop star in the history of Indian pop music."

" Aap Kaa Surroor is really very popular. Ashiq Banaya Aapne, Jhalak Dikhla Ja ? all these songs have met with huge success in India," he says.

Things really get a little hot when he is compared with composer-singer Anu Malik. But suggesting that Malik may indeed be his inspiration really gets his defences up.

" Anu Malik has never had the kind of hits I have had," Reshammiya declares.

And as if that was not enough to make his point, a stung Reshammiya continues to thunder, " Anu Malik has never come up with an album that has gone on to become the biggest pop album in the world."

He labour's the point with another retort, " Aap Ka Surroor reached No. 1 on the BBC. So Anu Malik is definitely not my inspiration." BBC Asian Network airs a music chart show for Asian music.

Blowing his own trumpet a bit more, he crows, "The concept of an international rock star never existed in India. But it has just arrived with me. It is the first time someone has created the kind of sensation, a euphoria, that my music has generated."

"The rock star concept is a routine thing abroad," he says.

He gives his tub-thumping a rest when asked if all the pain that is reflected in his songs comes from within. "I think everyone in the world has fallen in love at least once. I am trying to touch base with that emotion. My music touches a cord in every heart that has loved."

How much of that is really personal? "A lot of things in my songs are from personal experiences. But there is also imagination of what I would go through if I were in love."

It was impossible to finish interviewing him before hitting the hat issue. Obviously there were other reasons for that than to just talk through it. "Oh, this is my new look created by Prashant Chaddha, the director of my videos. He has given me this new look. But it has now become my lucky charm too," he says with a promise that people may soon see him without it.

DID YOU KNOW

- Aashiq Banaya Aapne is the first song that Himesh Reshammiya recorded for a film.

- Reshammiya is the first Bollywood music director to win the Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer. He also won the MTV award (Best Singer and Music) and the Stardust awards for Best Singer and New Talent.

- Anu Malik and Reshammiya are at war because Malik refused to share the credit with him after Reshammiya recorded a number for Malik's Hum Ko Deewana Kar Gaye.

- Besides his own music, the other composer Reshammiya wants to sing for is A.R. Rehman.