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Idle chat!
Sandeep, Anuj and NC Karuya talk to Priyanka Dasgupta about how they remain friends even while being competitors
• How are you feeling now? Sandeep Acharya (22, from Bikaner):
I'm excited. But yes, halka phulka nervous bhi hoon main.
Anuj Sharma (31, from Dehri):
There was a time when I used to watch these shows and marvel at those who reached this level. Having being able to make it here definitely makes me pleased as a punch.
NC Karunya: (20, Hyderabad)
I'm excited but have no goosebumps. All this hype is making me a little insecure.
• Did you always want to take up music as your career? S: I have done my BSc before taking up music as my career. My father is a mines contractor and both my parents sing bhajans. A: I was keen on music but never took it up seriously till the time I reached college. My brother forced me to take up music for graduation. Subsequently, I completed my masters in music from the Amritsar University. I am taking training in classical music from Pt Baldevraj Varma, the exponent of the Indore gharana. K: I have always dreamt of being a singer. Yet, I had a passion for academics as well. I was doing my third year in electronics and communication engineering when I decided to give a shot at this contest. My cousin, Hemachandra, is a contestant in another talent hunt show. He is two years younger to me and we are great pals.
• What do you think is the USP of your fellow contestants? S: Anuj has a great range. Karunya has a very strong classical base. A: Sandeep has a very soft voice and Karunya is a good training in classical music. K: Sandeep has a very impressive smile and Anuj floors people with his looks.
• Who is your Indian idol? S: Kishore Kumar A: Sonu Nigam K: Kishore Kumar
• Share a secret with our readers. S: People know I love to eat. But they don't know that I am a very good mimic too! A: I love to compose and am a lyricist as well. K: I used to eat chalk pieces in school.
• If you had the power to bring back one of the contestants, who would that be? S: Antara Mitra A: Meenal Jain or Antara Mitra K: Amey Date
• Do you miss not having girls in the final round? S: Yes, I do. A: I am missing all my friends. K: I love to hang around with girls and their presence in the final round would definitely give me a kick.
• Do you have a girlfriend? S: No. A: I've been dating a software engineer for three years. Vanita, my fiancee, is working in Pune and my strongest critic. We plan to tie the knot soon. K: I have had crushes but never had any serious relationship. I'm too busy for girlfriends.
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