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| SIMPLICITY |
| Are you the one | ||
| Been there done that, Indian Idol veterans spill out the secrets | ||
| Jagmeeta Thind Joy | ||
TILL a while back they were the people who lived in your building, went to the same school, perhaps shared a common friend. Today, they are anything but the girl or guy next door. Abhijeet Sawant, Aditi Paul and Rahul Vaidya, ladies and gentlemen, need no introduction. So we'll spare you the extra sentences. These Indian Idol veterans including the reigning Indian Idol (Sawant, of course) were in town for a promotional tour to announce the second season of Sony Television's TRP-winner Indian Idol. It's another chance for wannabe singers to queue up and get more than just noticed (hey, remember the one crore contract and umpteen spotlight!). The process is also dejavu for the finalists. The hopes, the expectations, the journey, the success...what does it take to make the final cut? That's just what we asked Abhijeet, Aditi and Rahul.
BEFORE: Mumbai is his home and for four years before queuing up for the contest, Sawant nursed a dream to be a singer and sang in a local orchestra. Then a final year student of commerce, Abhijeet says, ''I was a struggler and knew I had this one big opportunity which I had to make the best of.'' AFTER: Like they say, rest is history. The reigning Indian Idol, a one crore contract with Sony Television and umpteen playback singing projects later, Abhijeet admits, ''Finally, it's all falling in place.'' POINT TO PONDER: He's got to know how he pulled it off. Sawant however, shrugs: ''I don't think I know what it takes. Yes, what I can advise prospective contestants is that choose a song or style that suits your voice and personality. Don't try and be someone else. Only then will you make an impression.'' ADITI PAUL: THE WILD CARD ENTRY BEFORE: She was 25, madly in love (with music) and all set to get married (which she did post the show). ''But all along I knew I had to be a singer,'' smiles Paul. This teenager at heart from Kolkata didn't just make it. She shivered and trembled in front of the judges who thought she was being dramatic, dressed dowdy and was on her way out. That is until they heard her. ''In between the show I had chicken pox and my true struggle began then,'' reminisces Paul. AFTER: Re-entering on a wild card entry to finally making it to the chosen 11, Paul is now on a roll. ''Apart from performing at numerous concerts across the country I have sung in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin with Abhijeet and have a few offers in hand.'' POINT TO PONDER: ''There are no shortcuts. Once you are there on the stage, you have exactly one and a half minute to prove your talent. So you've got to give your best all the time,'' comes Aditi's advice. RAHUL VAIDYA: HE WAS ALMOST THERE BEFORE: He was not even 18. But the mind was made. ''There was nothing else that I thought of apart from singing,'' admits Vaidya with whom you can't decide - is he cuter or does he sing better? A charmer right through, this Mumbai lad's confidence levels had the judges impressed from day one. AFTER: He almost made it. Despite being shown the door by the viewers at the final stage, Vaidya's done well for himself. ''I have sung for Shaadi No.1, Jigyasa, Hot Money and some more films. But I'm really looking forward to my debut album that hits the stores in the last week of September,'' mentions Vaidya who is flooded with movie offers too. ''But I don't want to be an actor right now,'' is what he tells everyone. POINT TO PONDER: A strong believer of formal training, Vaidya says: ''True talent is always noticed. And when facing the judges, give your best shot and pray hard!'' smiles Vaidya. SECOND STANZA IT'S back and they say it won't be tweaked up much. For one, the judges remain the same, the format same, even the anchors are the same, the frenzy? Well, this September, young aspirants from across India can register themselves by dialling 646 from their Airtel phones or calling 19054252525. The Indian Idol crew will travel to 13 cities inviting registrations and those eligible will receive audition details. Auditions kick off in October in four cities - Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow and Kolkata where show producers will shortlist contestants. The judges will choose 150 and in November, the list will be further whittled down to 28. Then the viewers taker over to choose the second Indian Idol. http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=149440 |
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