I’ll never sing for SRK again

Since last singing for Shah Rukh Khan ("Dhoom Tana" in " Om Shanti Om") in 2007, Abhijeet Bhattacharya has kept out of the limelight. The singer has been in the real estate business for some time, and is also investing in art. "I am also involved with a coffee brand and will soon join hands with an Australia-based coffee brand to launch retail outlets here," he says. He tells us why he's moving away from singing, the profession that made him a household name.

So you're a full-fledged businessman now?

Who doesn't want to broaden one's avenues? Singing was never my bread and butter anyway. Also, there are things I am hurt about.

Such as?

I don't know why our filmmakers never give singers due credit. During the end credits of " Main Hoon Na", the singers' names appeared right at the end. Worst still, segments were shot with the chaiwalas and dressmen, but not with singers. My family saw the film and felt betrayed. The same happened with "Om Shanti Om". And here I am... Shah Rukh Khan's voice! I conveyed my disappointment to Farah Khan and Shah Rukh Khan.

He also got Akon to sing for him...

Except for pubs and discotheques, where does one hear that song? But folks still fondly remember the "Chalte Chalte", "Yes Boss" and "Main Hoon Na" numbers. It is these songs that have immortalised Shah Rukh. I will never sing for him again.

What if he approaches you? Sorry bol do! When you can make up with Farah Khan, whose husband tweeted rubbish about you, then there should be no problem with a simple man like me. But this is not about me. I want all singers to get their due. There is this one incident I just can't forget.

Go on...

I was in Chennai to record a song for this very famous music director currently ruling Hindi filmdom. There was a wooden bench, not even a sofa, and a singer, a Padmashree winner, writers and a renowned lyricist were there, waiting for over seven hours to meet the man. I did not want to be humiliated like this and I left. I will soon start a studio that will give newcomers, talented music directors and singers a platform to record numbers free of cost.