Interview with Shamit: Jodi No 1?

He's the oldest of the bunch and tries to maintain his position as big brother in the Fame Gurukul finalists. But beneath the tough guy act, there is that wide-eyed innocence and the mantle of a man who has not yet outgrown the child in him that makes 26-year-old Shamit Tyagi an instant favourite.

He's still sporting the friendship bands that other contestants have tied on his hand. The wrist also sports two special bands from his best friend and fianc. And a red one from his favourite pal on the show, Arijit with lucky Tibetan coins and inscriptions. Quite the metrosexual male, we see.

Just as an observation you ask why he doesn't mention his father in his speech and compliment his mature approach.

He smiles wryly. "I kind of had it thrust on me. Fate took away a lot from us. I lost my father in an accident when I was just one and a half years' old. I was the youngest of us three siblings-my sister, my brother and I. But then an accident in 2000 dealt us the worst blow, I lost my brother, who was 27, again in an accident and it shattered my family. Suddenly I became the man of the house and found myself behaving with a maturity that I didn't know I possessed. Today I behave like a father to my mother," he admits. "I loved music but decided to give it all up to bring some stability in the family and took up the job of a team leader at a Delhi BPO. Then when I heard about the auditions for Fame Gurukul I realized it was something I just had to do. And you know what, despite knowing what was at stake, my mother let me go. She never dissuaded me even once. She let me give up my job and follow my dream…"

How does he rate himself among the other contestants?

"I personally feel I have a soft voice and love singing Mohd Rafi songs. But I have been complimented for having the strongest voice in Gurukul by Alka Yagnik. She said "You ooze confidence and have the perfect combination of pleasant looks and a strong voice." It made me feel really good. But now every week is sheer torture. You know your one mistake can cost you everything built up over months because everyone is really, really good."

Who is the toughest among the judges?

"Javed saab. He's very moonh phat and a very good interrogator. He doesn't miss a thing. "

What makes Fame Gurukul different from other talent hunts like Indian Idol and Super singer?

"The fact that's its really a singing competition and in the end that's what matters. We are being trained and gauged on our abilities as singers. And every mistake is under scrutiny."

What if the coveted trophy slips from his hands? Has he considered the possibility?

"I've already given up my job. Gurukul has given me an amazing platform. Today if I approach Annu Malik or Ismail Darbar and say I can sing, I am sure they will have already heard me. It has already given us an entry and a foothold in the music industry. There's no turning back."

...His eyes glaze over and you can see he is reflecting on the journey of the past few months which has brought him so near, and yet so far from his coveted goal. "I think you could also attribute it to my Buddhism. I feel everything happens for a purpose. If my brother was taken it was done to deliver a lesson. Perhaps that lesson was for me to become aware of my responsibilities... I know I have to make it. I know music is the key. There's a purpose in everything in life. Things had to go right for us. We've had our share of bad luck," he quips.

Does he view his luck in Gurukul as fate's way of compensating for the tragedy ?

"If that were so I would gladly give up my music just to have my brother back. Nothing can ever compensate for his loss.

He stops for a moment and you see the tremble of the lip, the misting of the eyes and suddenly the man is gone, and there is just a young boy who stands there before you, tying to hold back tears that threaten to break his composure.

"I have to do it. I am very positive… as you will hear me sing in the I-Day special-my favourite number from Sarfarosh-- Zindagi maut na ban jaye sambhalo yaaron…sarfaroshi ki shama dil mein jala lo yaaron," he says in a determined voice. You cannot help but say Amen to that! Suddenly you want to believe in that fable about destiny testing her special children once more.

Source: http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=143233