New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) Famous American singer Richard Marx, who says he knows of Shilpa Shetty and 'Slumdog Millionaire', is in India for the second time. But he is now looking forward to visiting the country over and over again.

'I hope this is the beginning of coming to India every year or two to tour. I want to play in as many Indian cities as I can,' Marx told IANS in an interview.

The singer who made a mark in the music industry with hits like 'Hold on to the nights', 'Satisfied', 'Endless summer nights', 'Now and forever' and the evergreen 'Right here waiting' is performing in the capital Saturday at the Romanov Red Rock 'n India, an international music festival.

'I'm really looking forward to performing here and having some fun. I'll be playing my popular songs. We don't have too much time since this show will be shorter than the one I usually do, but it will be high on energy,' added Marx.

The event will also feature international boy band Backstreet Boys, South African band Prime Circle, Welsh musician Jayce Lewis and Indian bands like Swarathma, Indigo Children and Five Little Indians.

Marx, who was in India three years ago and had come just for a day, says he didn't know before that trip that he had fans in India.

'I'm very happy to be here. Last time I was in India for a private event around three years back, just for a day. That time I met many people and I realised that people know my music here.

'I have been touring around the world for many years, but the reason I didn't come to India is that I never thought people knew about my music here. But I was so wrong,' said the 46-year-old.

When quizzed about Indian artists and music, Marx, who has been singing for more than 20 years now, revealed he is pretty much a stranger to the country.

'I am pretty much a stranger here and don't know much about the country and the artists here. It's like people here don't know about many famous American artists simply because they haven't been popularised here. Similarly we only know about those Indians who are popular there,' he said.

'I know about Shilpa Shetty and also about 'Slumdog Millionaire', it was such a phenomenon in US,' he added.

So are there any plans for Indian collaborations?

'No collaborations on this visit. This question hasn't been raised as of now. I would be meeting certain artists who are performing in the concert. But no plans of doing something at the moment,' revealed Marx.

Throwing light on his future plans, the singer, whose first seven singles hit the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, told IANS: 'I'm always writing and producing songs. So as soon as I go home, I will be producing an album for country artist George Canyon and then I will start working with a young rock band.

'I am also working on my personal album and I'm halfway through. So probably by the end of this year, you will get to hear my solo album,' added the singer.