Himesh eager to win over critics

London, Oct 30 (UNI) Music composer turned singer Himesh Reshammiya says he is aware that at least one per cent of Bollywood and the media hates him but is confident of winning them over with his talent.

''I owe my success to the blessings of my wellwishers. But, there are some people who hate me. I will call it professional rivalry as I know that they have nothing against Himesh, the person,'' Himesh, who was here to perform at the Wembley stadium as part of his ongoing Aap Ka suroor concert, yesterday said.

Replying to criticism about being the self styled Rockstar, Himesh said, ''I had commented that the concept of a Rockstar was alien in India and I had tried to follow that concept through my music videos and albums. But I was quoted in the media as having said that I am the Rockstar.'' Himesh, who has sung and composed nearly 200 songs, said he had planned to cut down on his film assignments and restrict himself to doing only three films a year. The singer-music composer got his first break as music composer in Salman Khan starrer 'Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya'' about seven years ago and shot into fame with 'Tere Naam'' two years ago.

Himesh announced that his HR school of Music will have eight centres in four metro cities of India. There will be two centres each in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore. The Kolkata centre will be launched in the next two months. ''I have joined hands with the Future Group which is the force behind successful retail brands and formats like Pantaloons and Big Bazaar to create a brand called Mega Music Movement (M3) and the music school is the first such intiative,'' he added.

He said the students will be offered three months to two year courses and have a choice of ten disciplines ranging from violin to sufi rock and from classical to jazz. The school will also allow students to take up music as a career as well as a hobby. With the booming of media and entertainment industry and lack of hi-tech training facilities, HR school of music is designed to create the next generation of musicians. Himesh described the school as the dream of his father.

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