mirande and well..others

Small screen's talent hunt contestants change tracks for their fifteen minutes of fame. AT finds out more about them.


At a time when reality television seems to be on an upward swing, participants want more than their fifteen minutes of fame.

After sweeping the SMS poll and emerging triumphant in talent hunt/reality shows, you'd expect winners at least to achieve what they set out to.

But months after their win (or near-wins), Sandeep Acharya, Qazi Touqeer and their ilk take different routes to secure a toehold in showbiz.
Aspiring musician Qazi Touqeer for example has just signed up for a lead role in Nazi Reziv's film.

Another budding musician-talent hunt finalist Twinkle Bajpai has moved onto the soapbox as a female lead in a three-hankie-tearjerker — Ghar Ki Laxmi Betiyaan. Reality show finalist Amit Tandon didn't wait for a playback offer and took up TV shows instead (Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi).

Talent hunt contestant and music student Mouli Dave has reportedly received film and television offers already, while another contestant Sumedha Karmahe has an offer for a Mahesh Bhatt film too. Why are reality show participants changing tracks even before realising their dreams?

Abhijeet Sawant, singer and winner of a talent hunt show, points out, "It takes a long time to get into the limelight. So, when one gets an opportunity even without winning competitions, then why not take it? It is okay to shift tracks. These days not only freshers, even established celebrities shift their focus."

Youngsters don't want to miss out on an opportunity. "I think it is all about cashing in on your popularity immediately, instead of waiting for things to happen," feels Shaan, singer and anchor of a reality show.

Twinkle Bajpai, TV star, and a finalist of a music talent hunt, feels, "For a fresher it is difficult to get a break in the world of glamour. But if somebody participates in a reality show, that gives the person a platform.

People start knowing them and this makes things easier. When I was a participant, I got a call from the channel and they offered me a role in a daily soap. It seemed like a great opportunity."

Participants of reality shows/talent hunts are aware that not everyone can win, so they try to utilise the platform to showcase their talent. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Mirande Shah, participant of an ongoing reality show, says the passion to achieve something in life makes youngsters grab whatever opportunity comes their way with both hands. "Let's face it, not everyone can win. So when participants get lucrative offers from related fields, they take it up," she says.

Being on a talent hunt show makes a whole world of difference to participants' lives. Even film and television production companies often headhunt talented youngsters from these shows. Like they say, sometimes winning isn't all that important, especially when even near-winners go home with some perks.