Is looking to rope in talents like Sonu Niigaam and Sukhwinder Singh for a world music project

Timbaland, the highest paid musician last year and the owner of one of the biggest music labels in the world, is looking at hijacking the best talents of the Indian music industry with lip-smacking deals.

It is learnt from sources that the music mogul will be the first in line to rope in Indian musicians for a world music project before others follow suit.

Though sources confirmed that Timbaland is going to "land soon in Mumbai," it could not be ascertained whether he is part of the six-member talent scouting team from his label which lands in Mumbai in the first week of March.

Officials from Timbaland's music label have already sounded off a few of the musicians via e-mail about their Mumbai sojourn and their world music project.

Singer Sonu Niigaam confirmed the same. "Yes, I have been sent an official intimation from his (Timbaland's) office saying that they are interested in working with me. A team from his office will be meeting me in Mumbai on March 7 to talk about an international project that I will be collaborating with them on," says Sonu. He has already given his consent for the collaboration.

Apparently, another singer on their priority list is Jai Ho's Sukhwinder Singh. Though Sukhwinder refused to divulge details, he says that he has been sent 'feelers by international agencies'. "I think it's (AR) Rahman who has recommended me to these people. I want to wait till Rahman comes back to the country before starting a dialogue with anybody. At the same time, I'm very eager to do these crossover projects."