So near, yet so far. That’s been the tale of most Pakistani singers who participate in Indian reality shows. Faisalabad’s Ali Abbas impressed the judges but failed to garner enough public votes which saw him missing the ticket to the final of Junoon.

Disappointed he may be but Ali definitely isn’t dejected. There wasn’t any anguish or a tear shed when his name was declared as the evictee.

The Pakistani sounded upbeat when Tellychakkar spoke to him. Excerpts:

You impressed the judges but why didn’t the people vote for you?

I may not have got the votes but I’ve been showered with lots of love. With regards to the voting, I wouldn’t like to comment anything on it. I don’t know how it works. However, I’m glad being a Pakistani I could reach thus far.

Your Sufi Ke Sultan colleague Harshdeep has made it to the finals but the judges don’t find her better than you. Do you think she’s not the deserving finalist?

I wouldn’t like to comment anything on that. Harshdeep is a good singer too. She has her own style and perhaps that must have appealed to the viewers. Talent alone isn’t enough to win such contests. May be, I failed to win people’s hearts.

Cynics were of the view that you tried gaining sympathy votes through projection of you poor background. Comment.

I too was upset when they showed my background in the show. I thought it wouldn’t be aired but I reckon this is done for the sake of TRPs.

Reality shows often talk of bridging the gap between India and Pakistani. Unfortunately, the ground reality doesn’t change. So, aren’t these shows presenting a fake picture?

Such acts are to be condemned but I sincerely feel that love is the only way forward to bridge our differences. Before coming to India, there were certain apprehensions in my mind too but my cousin Amanat Ali, who had participated in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, allayed all my fears and assured me of finding love in this country.

With regards to terrorism, I can only say this, “kuch gham yahan bhi hai, aur kuch hamare yahan bhi hai.”

Sa Re Ga Ma Pa contestant Sara Raza Khan has alleged that she’s criticised back in Pakistan for performing in India. Do Pakistan girls still face such discrimination?

If you’re crying foul for performing in India, does it mean that she’s never performed in Pakistan? As an artist you can’t bog yourself down by such criticism. Besides the situation is Pakistan is changing. Education is on the rise and the new generation is least bothered to what a handful have to say.

What’s next for you?

I’ll be in India till October. I’ve already got a break in playback singing. I’ve sung for popular music directors such as Ismail Darbar and Salim-Suleiman. Besides, I’ll also be coming out with my album soon.

You were competing against Bollywood in Junoon, but you’re taking shelter under the cash-rich Bollywood.

(Laughs) We mustn’t forget that Junoon is just a TV show. At the end of the day, it’s Bollywood films and music that is popular with the masses. Back home in Pakistan, I can assure you that 60 per cent of our people watch Indian films and listen to Bollywood music.