Manisha Karmakar Interview

After Vishwas's surprise ouster, the last two eliminations in Indian Idol have been expected. Meghana and Manisha both went out for reasons understood and predicted by everyone. The 19-year-old Kolkata girl Manisha had started with a lot of promise. So much so that Anu Malik had even commented she could become the next Idol, but somehow her last two performances were just not up to the mark. Manisha had won the Zee Bangla Sa Re Ga Ma in Kolkata in 2008 and had also participated in 2009 Sa Re Ga Ma Challenge on Zee. She spoke to TellyChakkar just after her elimination.

You have participated in reality shows earlier and even won one. What made you participate in Indian Idol?
When the auditions were happening in Kolkata I was not in town. But I was in Andheri during the Mumbai auditions. Someone from our family asked me why I was not participating in the auditions so I decided to give it a shot. I got selected in the top 17. Participating in Idol was an impulsive decision, there was no other reason.

Have you followed Indian Idol in the last few years?
I have it watched it on and off. Indian Idol is an extraordinary platform to showcase your talent.

Right from your auditions, you got good feedback from the judges. So, what went wrong?
I don't know when went wrong but I feel I lacked confidence in the last few episodes. Being used to the stage, I never had stage phobia but there was some element of discomfort that sealed the deal. When I was eliminated, many of my co-contestants were also surprised.

Do you think your rendition of Zara Zara Touch Me Touch Me when you lost the track midway was responsible?
What went wrong during that episode was completely technical. I discussed it with the judges as well. While I cannot comment on whether that was the main reason for my elimination, I did lose my confidence after that.

How will you sum up your Indian Idol experience?
It was a lifetime experience. I got to meet musicians like Pyarelalji, Pritam Chakraborty and of course the three judges. I have got many tips from them, especially Sunidhi Chauhan and Anu Malik. Pyarelalji also taught me some basics of playback singing. And yes, Indian Idol also taught me to live with other people under one roof. I am a single child and have always been alone in my family. This was a new experience.

What you will miss the most?
Definitely the stage, the performances and my co-contestants Tia, Arpita, Shashi and Yashraj. We were like best of friends.

Who do you feel will be the top three contestants this year?
I think it will be Sreeram, Shivam, Naushad or Rakesh. I don't feel any girl will reach the top three this time.
What are your future plans?
I will be going back to Kolkata and will do stage shows. That will allow me to earn some money so that I can come back to Mumbai and settle here. Mumbai has always been my city of dreams and because of Indian Idol I have come half way to Mumbai. The remaining half I need to cross now.