'Indian Idol 2' finalists woo Mallika
The 'Indian Idol 2' countdown has begun. The final 12 have entered the gala rounds. One unfortunate participant will be voted out tomorrow as the lines open for voting tonight after the show. The first gala round was shot last Saturday with the male finalists battling it out on a very-international looking, spanking new set in Mumbai's Kamla City area. The contestants wore black outfits designed by Neeta Lulla. The host of the show, Mini Mathur looked ravishing in a black saree with pink border. The six female finalists were there to boost the morale of the boys.
The judges were all pepped up as they awaited a bombshell to drop on the sets in the shape of a special judge. Mallika Sherawat must have been the curviest judge that the show has ever seen. She pleasantly surprised the judges as well as the contestants with her witty couplets though her I-was-a-struggler-from-Harayana bit evoked many a yawn.
The judges were all pepped up as they awaited a bombshell to drop on the sets in the shape of a special judge. Mallika Temperatures went soaring as Miss 'Hot Bod' Sherawat blew kisses in all directions including towards the contestants. The grand finale would be a treat to watch as all the six contestants try to woo Mallika with a beautifully sung 'Bheege honth tere'. Earlier the boys performed on various Bollywood hits, most of them recent.
N C Karunya
Age:19
From Hyderabad, he is an electronics and communications student. Singing since the age of 3. Is a trained Carnatic musician and Kuchipudi dancer. He has done playback singing for Telugu films. Touted as the Abhishek Bachchan of 'Indian Idol'.
His song for the first Gala: 'Chak De'
On his performance: "I was pretty nervous before the performance as my throat wasn't in perfect condition but after going on stage I felt I could do it. I didn't think I sang so bad that I got negative comments from Sonu ji, shockingly and Farah ji too. Mallika said nice things but she said similar stuff to the others too. The nervousness of the performance is over but the nervousness of the results is creeping in."
Message to the viewers: I never wanted to disappoint you but in case I have then I am very sorry. In case I come back to the next galas then I'll fulfill your wishes.
Amey Date
Age: 26
Amey is from Mumbai and music is his life for the last 15 years since the time he accepted the tutelage of Suresh Wadekar.Music runs in Amey's blood as his grandfather was a part of the orchestra that performed with RD Burman in his stage shows. Amey plays harmonium, tabla and sarod. He has been performing for the last seven years with Suresh Wadekar, OP Nayyar and Usha Mangeshkar. Immensely talented, Amey is a confident young singer.
His song for the first Gala: 'Juda Ho Ke'
On his performance: "After the performance I felt that I sang a little less than my ability; I can sing better than that. But whatever happened was good as I got very good comments from the judges. Anu ji said a great couplet for me which is a wonderful thing for me as it came from Anu ji who is one of the top most music directors of India. He prasied my singing and the credit goes to my Guru ji- Suresh Wadekar."
Message to the viewers: I would just like to say that Amey Date is an honest guy whose heart is pure. I am truly dedicated to my singing and if they feel that I have the ability to sing well then I would be happy to receive their votes.
Ravi K Tripathi
Age: 29
Ravi is from Lucknow but has been struggling in Mumbai after his graduation. He was selected for an MBBS course, but he ran away from home and came to Mumbai to become a singer. He stays with Suresh Wadekar at his gurukul and learns music from him. He was not so popular with the judges earlier but in the first Gala round he floored them completely.
His song for the first Gala: 'Jiya Dhadak'
On his performance:
"I was really very tense. You won't believe it but my heart was beating so fast that I was trying to calm down as it was a big responsibility. Like my song my heart was beating faster. (laughs) Sonu ji wasn't very happy with me during the Piano round and he is my idol. I have great regards for him and I thought that I have to please him. When I started singing I was completely submerged in my song and that made me truly happy."
Message to the viewers: I am a guy who has come here from amongst you. I have reached till here with your wishes; do continue to extend your love and support to me.
Sagar A Sawarkar
Age: 20
This short but sweet Mumbai guy is a Mass Media student. He has been learning classical music for the last ten years. He is a computer freak. Sagar was amongst the top 50 contestants in 'Indian Idol' last year but had to withdraw due to his father's illness. Anu Malik loves to pull his leg and everybody including the hosts of the show finds 'Sagar Baba' utterly cute.
His song for the first Gala: 'Dhadak Dhadak'
On his performance:
"Today's performance was good, though I won't say very good. I wasn't nervous but I wasn't smiling as Farah ji said. I was a little nervous, not very but a little. The biggest compliment I got from Sonu ji that this was the best performance so I felt very happy. In the piano round he had said that you have to work on your standing notes. Fortunately he liked that and I am very happy with that. We were told that Mallika was coming and that made us a bit nervous. We wondered how she will react and whether she'll like it. She said a couplet for me and I was totally blank. Overall it was fun."
Message to the viewers: They are my friends. I want to say that I can do better and this is the first gala. Maybe I didn't perform that well; I wasn't smiling. I can definitely assure that I can do better in the second galas.
Sandeep Acharya
Age: 21
Originally from Bikaner, Sandip now lives in Mumbai and learns classical music. He has acted in plays. The judges identify his singing with that of 'Udit Narayan' and he can replicate both Udit Narayan's style and voice. Sandeep is a very shy person by nature but transforms on stage. He received the highest number of votes in the Piano round.
His song for the first Gala: 'Jaanam dekh lo'
On his performance:
"I was a little nervous initially but later I was alright. When I performed I felt that it was fine; whatever happened on the stage was good as they say 'whatever happens happens for the good'. Judges praised me, Mallika ji was also happy and the audiences also gave a good response, therefore I felt that I did well. I believe in one thing, whether there is happiness in life or sorrow, one should always smile."
Message to the viewers: I would call them my friends. I know you love me, pls. watch the show and if you like me then support me
Panna Gill
This Mumbai finalist is originally from Jamshedpur. Panna's father Lakhbir Singh is a renowned devotional singer. He started singing from the age of 13. Panna is a student of Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan. Touted as the Saif Khan of the contest.
His song for the first Gala: 'Jhalak Dikhla ja"
On his performance:
"I was very happy today because the judges really appreciated me. I am very glad that I could make them happy with my singing and my performance. In the last performance I got mixed comments so I was a little upset with myself. I know I am a good singer and I am trying my level best, I have really tried hard this time. It was great dancing with Mallika ji and its really nice that she gave such good comments."
Message to the viewers: I want to perform even better than this the next time, if I go on to the next round.
Sonu Nigam
Sonu Nigam is the favourite judge with the contestants. He is the one who is ready with the most critical yet gentle comments. He loosened up a bit with Mallika on his side and even sang a song for her.
"I am very happy with the tremendous positive response that the contestants have received from the viewers. All the viewers have appreciated the quality of talent that has been showcased in Indian Idol this year. Looking back at last years 11 finalists and the way life has changed for them post Indian Idol, I believe these 12 finalists are already achievers. They have already made a mark for themselves in the hearts of millions of Indian viewers."
"It is a pleasure to see your hard work being appreciated. Indian viewers have truly liked the contestants that we chose. The competition is definitely tougher than last year and it is impossible to guess who the viewers will choose this time! I wish luck to all the 12 finalists and urge the viewers to vote for the right contestant and give the country its next singing superstar." \
Anu Malik
"Many have been left behind! And many more will leave us… it's the viewers pick now! Only one can become the country's next INDIAN IDOL!! Only the viewers will decide in whom they see their apna Abhijeet Sawant. All the 12 contestants are a class apart… Indian Idol series 2 has seen the best of the talent on the show… The Gala rounds are very promising and the show has reached a very exciting phase… wait and watch what happens next!"
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