Veteran lyricist Santosh Anand, speaking about accepting an offer of ₹5 lakh from singer Neha Kakkar on Indian Idol 12, said, "I am self-dependent and have self-respect. I didn't go there to ask anyone for help." "I didn't want to take the money...but she said she's like my granddaughter. I had to accept her love," said the lyricist.