SANDEEP....

By Subhash K Jha

Sony Entertainment seems to be focusing almost single-mindedly on promoting Karunya as the Indian Idol, leaving the other finalist Sandeep looking like a loser even before the grand finale.

"That isn't true," says a Sony source. "Sandeep and Karunya are being seen as equally worthy of securing the title.

It's just that Sandeep has tremendous support in the audience poll from his home in Rajasthan while Karunya just can't seem to generate the same interest in Hyderabad and the rest of Andhra Pradesh.

We at Sony don't want Karunya to lag behind because of lack of votes."

But Sandeep who visited his home town Bikaner last week and was greeted like a true hero, disagrees. " I don't think Karunya is lagging behind for lack of votes. I think we both get support not just from our homes but also from the rest of the country.

Everywhere we're both greeted with equal enthusiasm. It isn't as if I get votes from Rajasthan alone, or that Karunya doesn't get votes from Andhra. He's a hot favourite."

Sandeep is ecstatic about his visit to his home town. "I was in Bikaner for just one day. And I was stunned by the enthusiasm of the crowds. They tore my shirt and the stage shook when I was on it..so many people got on it."

Sandeep is optimistic about winning the Indian Idol crown. "There's very little time left now.I hope people vote from everywhere. Dekhte hain jeet kisski hoti hai. I'm ready for either of us to win. Regardless of the results we're friends. We've both left it to God to decide for us."