I am absolutely true to myself says Sonu Niigaam ...

Singer-composer Sonu Niigaam, who will be judging a show after six years, says he agreed to be part of Sony's music reality show "X-Factor" because he feels the concept is beyond the mediocracy of other such shows.
"It would be very, very big, dynamic and a very well thought show. For example, we have love stories in Bollywood for 60-70 years, but we still love to see a love story which is written differently. We discard love stories that are made half-heartedly.

"This show is beyond the mediocracy of (other) talent shows. India definitely needs a show that is as great as grand as 'X-Factor'," Sonu told IANS at the launch of the show here Wednesday.

"I am part of this show because it is as truthful as I believe I am, as rebellious as I feel I am, as contagious as I feel I am. I am pretty glad to be part of this show," he added.

Sonu, who hosted music reality " Sa Re Ga Ma Pa" in 1995, stayed away from judging reality shows after he judged the second season of singing talent show "Indian Idol" in 2006.

"X-Factor" is a talent show franchise that originated in Britain and has now come to India. Unlike other talent shows, "X-Factor" will not have any upper age limit for the contestants.

"You will get to see a huge variety of singers of all age starting from 16-year-olds to whatever," said Sonu.

With the band culture being in vogue, "X-Factor" will have a group singers segment along with traditional solo and duet singing sections.

Asked about his criteria while judging the contestants, he said: "X-factors are like X-rays. You can't see them, you will have to feel from heart. You will know it. If anyone could explain X-factor then it would have been an available commodity. Let's not go with any pre-conceived notions."

What is Sonu's X-factor?

"As a person, I am absolutely true to myself, absolutely original. I don't see myself like anyone else in the world. I have lot of inspirations in my life - from (Mohammad) Rafi saab to Michael Jackson to Lataji (Lata Mangeshkar) to Ashaji (Asha Bhosle). As a human being, I adore a lot of people, but I don't follow anyone and that is what I believe is my X-factor."