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Posted: 19 years ago

JUGAL BANDI

WHO'S NEXT?

They have their singing prowess in place, but given a chance, Sandeep Acharya and N C Karunya would like to exchange their looks, they tell Dhaval Roy

SANDEEP ACHARYA
Just a few days away from the D-Day in Indian Idol 2. How are you feeling?
I feel great. The response I've got so far is amazing and beyond any description. I'm just a little nervous. But I'm not deep in thought and worrying about what's going to happen.
What do you think of your arch rival N C Karunya? What do you think he has that you don't?
Karunya is a perfect guy. His attitude, thinking and singingare just perfect and he deserves to be on the top. Of the time we've spent together, we've become very friendly and I'm really impressed with his positive attitude and the fact that he has no attitude problem. The one thing that he has and I don't is his resemblance to Abhishek Bachchan, who's really big right now and people are crazy for him, and that's where Karunya has an advantage. So I wish I looked like him too.
How do you handle all the attention, being a normal guy who has had no prior exposure to the glam world?
It's unbelievable and I'm still very new to this kind of exposure. Earlier, I used to see stars whom I idolised and wanted to meet, shake hands with, etc. Now I feel like being on the other side of the fence, and it's overwhelming and unbelievable. Till about four months back, I was just a normal guy and suddenly I'm getting so much attention and love. I'm making sure that all the attention doesn't go to my head because I know I'll have to work very hard to maintain this stardom.
Which was the one contestant who you felt shouldn't have been voted out and deserved to be there till the end?
Without a doubt Ameya Date. He was too good and should've been there till the very end. Had I been voted out instead of Ameya, I'd have been sad for not making it, but it'd be nice to see him till the end because he deserves it.
When Ameya Date was voted out, there was a debate about judges' decision versus audience-voting. Personally, do you agree that audience-voting should be stopped?
I'd rather the format remains the same. I have no problems with it and I think it's the best format. The audience has an opinion which matters and they know a good singer from a bad one. Judges' opinions are also taken into consideration from their remarks, opinions and comments.
So who's your favourite judge among Anu Mallik, Sonu Nigam and Farah Khan?
Sonu Nigam. One, because he has always been my idol as a singer and secondly because he is a very down-to-earth, polite, sensible and patient man. He understands our dilemma very well and explains everything very patiently.
What's the best compliment you have got from your fans and judges so far?
Sonu Nigam once said that I have the best voice according to the microphone voice. And most of my fans tell me that I present a song very well, in fact, I have the best way of presenting it.
There are a lot of talent contests happening these days and a lot of singers joining the industry. Do you feel you'd be lost in the plethora?
There was a time when a lot of people used to say that fresh talent should be given a chance and talented people who don't get a breakthrough and they need to be brought in the public eye. And now that there are talent contests, they feel there are too many of them. Anyway, I don't think I will go unnoticed, because most talent hunt contestants do get noticed when they have a release or something.
N C KARUNYA
Just a few days away from the D Day in Indian Idol 2. How are you feeling?
Very thrilled and very nervous. The final date has been postponed to 22 from the 18 April, so I'm a bit disappointed. I'm very nervous because even though I've got very good comments from the judges, the audience's voting has been always negative. I'm doing everything I can to improve myself and be the way the audience wants me to be. I just hope the audience supports me with their votes this time.
What do you think of your arch rival Sandeep Acharya? What do you think he has that you don't?
Sandeep is a brilliant singer. People think he imitates Udit Narayan, but I don't agree at all. He has an original voice and has done very well for himself. As a person, he is very naughty and takes my case royally and has a great sense of humour. The one thing that I lack which he has is his good looks and smile. He is constantly smiling even when he sings and I would like to learn that from him.
How do you handle all the attention, being a normal guy who has had no prior exposure to the glam world?
I get very embarrassed with all the attention and adulation that I get. It's so unbelievable and I don't know how to react at times. I feel like condensing into a small point and just hiding somewhere. I've gone down on my knees and said 'thank you' to the judges sometimes, I feel so humbled by the attention. Now I have no other words.
Which was the one contestant who you felt shouldn't have been voted out and deserved to be there till the end?
Monali Thakur. She is my favourite contestant and I think she deserved to be till the end! If there could be a female Indian Idol, it had to be Monali! When Ameya Date was voted out, there was a debate about judges' decision versus audience-voting. Personally, do you agree that audiencevoting should be stopped?
I completely stand by the audience vote format. Basically, it's Indian idol, which means an idol for the entire nation, that is the audiences. So, they have the right to choose or reject someone. Of course, the judges' opinion also matters because they are experts and experienced and they do give their opinion.
So who's your favourite judge among Anu Mallik, Sonu Nigam and Farah Khan?
Sonu Nigam, because he is one person I look up to as a singer and he gives his opinion from a singer's point of view. Besides that, he is a good and down-to-earth human being.
What's the best compliment you have got from your fans and judges so far?
I used to be really scared of Farah Khan because she always disliked my performance and criticised me a lot. But, once she said, 'If you don't become the Indian Idol, I will stop believing,' and I was so flattered! And from my fans, all of them say 'you rock' and 'you are the best' wherever I go. At times I wonder if they are all synchronised.
There are a lot of talent contests happening these days and a lot of singers joining the industry. Do you feel you'd be lost in the plethora?
I know I won't be lost because I believe in myself and am confident. There is a lot of competition, but I have the competence to stand out. At least now, I am a child who is being taken care of. I know after the results are out, I will be like a small fish taken out of pond and thrown into the sea. That makes me feel insecure, because I will be by myself. But I know I have something that will make me different and I will keep improving myself to not be lost. I want to break free in the world of music on my own.

https://epaper.timesofindia.com/