Abhijeet kicks off search for 2nd idol

Abhijeet Sawant kicks off search for second idol

Last season's winner, he is busy touring the nation, doing promos

Reena Thapar Kapoor

Sony's much hyped reality show that got people glued to their television sets returns after a gap of 8 months. And what better way to kick off the show's second season, on the ground, than with the face of the show's first season.
While the promotions for Indian Idol 2 have been on for sometime, the one who's busiest with it the Mumbai boy Abhijeet Sawant. Also with him is the Indian Idol runner up Amit Sana.

Currently, in Delhi, the singers will be travelling across the country. Rumour has it that Sawant has been paid a huge amount of money for endorsing the show. "He is going to be the face of Indian Idol 2. The idea to rope him in is obviously because he is the winner of the last season of Indian Idol," reveals the channel. A huge series of hoardings have been designed for Abhijeet, which will be splashed across the city soon.

The channel rightly sees Abhijeet as the best endorsement of the potential of Indian Idol, which had propelled several contestants to live their dreams. Hailing from a modest, middle class background, the first Indian Idol catapulted to heights of fame, fortune, stardom and adulation in a short span of time. So, Sony has now decided to capitalise on Abhijeet's 'star' status by promoting the second season on his shoulders.

How to participate in Indian Idol ii?
* This September, young aspirants across India can register themselves by dialling 646 from their Airtel phone or register via their landline phones. The 'Indian Idol' crew will travel to 13 cities: Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Baroda, Ahmedabad, Indore, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Karnal, Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow and Kolkata, inviting registrations. Those eligible will receive audition details.

* In October 2005, auditions will be held in Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow and Kolkata where the show's producers will first shortlist contestants.

* In November 2005, the judges will further whittle down the number to 28 contestants. Hereon, the audience response through SMS and other modes take over.