I left mimicry a long time ago: Sunidhi Chauhan

New Delhi, April 21 (IANS) Sunidhi Chauhan has been known as a singer all along, but did you know her talent for mimicking other artists? It's one she says she left a 'long time ago' because some people took offence.

'I have left doing mimicry. I realised that a lot of people didn't take it in the right spirit and used to feel offended, so I gave it up. Not that I ever did it professionally, but I left it long ago,' Sunidhi told reporters here.

Nevertheless, Sunidhi gave in to the request of mediapersons at the launch of talent hunt show 'Indian Idol' Tuesday night and copied music composer Anu Malik's style of singing and interacting.

'I can copy Anu ji...I am sure he won't mind,' said Sunidhi, who will be seen co-judging the fifth season of Sony Entertainment Television's 'Indian Idol' along with Anu Malik and music director Salim Merchant.

The 26-year-old, who performed songs like 'Shut up and bounce' and 'Deedar de' at the launch, has been a brand in Bollywood singing for over 12 years.

In 1996, she won the 'Meri Awaaz Suno' music competition on Doordarshan and later went on to give Bollywood hit numbers like 'Dhadak dhadak' ('Bunty Aur Babli'), 'Bhaage re mann' ('Chameli'), 'Mehboob mere' ('Fiza'), 'Dhoom machale' ('Dhoom'), 'Beedi jaliale' ('Omkara') and 'Chor bazaari' ('Love Aaj Kal'), among many others.

Sunidhi says she just couldn't say no to 'Indian Idol' and felt it was the right time to do such a show.

'I got a lot of shows before this. Almost every singing show was offered to me on TV. But I wasn't ready then. I didn't feel like doing them then. But then when this season was offered, I thought - 'If not this, then what?' So I went ahead and I am very happy with my decision,' she said.

Sunidhi also admitted that one of her motives to join the show was her desire to meet small town aspirants - and motivate them. She is also on the lookout for a versatile singer.

'Our main focus this time is going to be on getting an excellent singer - a singer who sings everything, including classical and then maybe some western. That will be a complete package,' she said.

'Indian Idol 5' will go on air starting next week Monday and will be telecast from Monday to Thursday every week at 9 p.m.