Source: Ahmedabad newsline http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=150408
TALK
Fanning the Fame Game
Swapna Nair & Priyanka Singh
Ahmedabad, September 26: RANBHOOMI comes to Gandhi's land. Five Fame Gurukul contestants battled it out for yet another heart-stopping episode at Wide Angle on Monday. And who walked away with bouquets and who was left with brickbats? We aren't letting that out yet. While the Idea coordinated press conference was over before much of it sank in, we managed to walk the talk with not just judges, but also the contestants. Want to know what they said? Read on...
SONGS OF EXPERIENCE
The Big B of Gurukul
Ila Arun
Ila ke peechhe kya hai? She doesn't let us on to that. Though it's the song that defines this Gurukul headmistress. She parries off questions about favourites, some prompting and she reveals what most viewers would like to hear. ''Qazi has touched me the most. To be laughed at and still hold on requires nerves of steel.'' She has no qualms admitting that the game is indeed ''a gamble'', but then ''getting things on a platter shouldn't mean contestants cool their heels.'' Although an admirer of Gandhi, she believes ''Gandhi was born in Sabarmati Ashram.''
Karan Oberoi
The offscreen singer-actor and onscreen singer-lawyer is all for reality gameshows. ''All one needs to do is refine one's talent. Everything else is taken care of by the channel,'' says the hunk. So, which Ranbhoomi yoddha would he like to cross his sword with? ''It's Arijit all the way. He was the best,'' he says. And his message for the contestants? ''Gaane Bhi Do Yaaron''. Psst...That's Band of Boys' next album.
Mandira Bedi
''Thank God it's over,'' says this bindaas Bedi about her noodle-strap days. Like Indian Idol 2, Gurukul is also gearing up for a second season, she informs. Seen more compering shows on different channels, she asserts she hasn't bid goodbye to acting. For now, she's all set to sizzle in her first Tamil movie. ''I'll only talk when it happens,'' she says. We're bowled already.
SONGS OF INNOCENCE
Qazi Touqeer
Main Aisa Kyun Hoon ''suits me'' more than Hrithik. ''Even if I don't win, I am going to be a superstar,'' declares the 20-year-old. Oozing oodles of attitude, the noodle-haired, self-proclaimed chickna says, ''I can sail through a bad-hair day. But can't do without my jacket.'' The Srinagar dude who's broken Abhijeet Sawant's voting record, says he would love to take him on. Been eight times in the danger zone, this Gemini loves to live on the edge. Showering gratitude, he says, ''I've finally found my voice, thanks to Gurukul.'' In a world of makeovers, this case stands out as a 'voiceover'.
Ruprekha Banerjee
Fondly called 'fruitrekha' by other contestants, she had to practise hard to be in lingo than in sync. The Bengali lass has to fight to get her Hindi right. Meditation helps her keep stress at bay. She says she would love to change places with KK. Her USP: ''My honesty.'' Best policy, we'd say.
Sandeep Batra
Failure hasn't deterred this one. Haari baazi ko jeetna humein aata hai, says the soft-spoken Delhiite. ''Music cannot be taught,'' says the sikander lovingly nicknamed 'litchi' for that's what he prefers over water. Ah, not surprising then that he wants to ''endorse litchi juice'' when he's made it into 'Da Groove'.
Rex D'souza
The roly-poly, ever smiling Mumbaiah, says he'll never take off his sister's rakhi and the friendship band given to him by ex-contestant Amit, ''main kitna hi bada na ban jaoon.'' As for his mantra, he hums, Chala jaata hoon.... Mostly seen showing off his pearly whites, the camera luckily never captures him when he's irritated. And when's that? ''On hectic schedules with barely four hours shut-eye.'' If he were to judge the show, he would vote for Arpita and Sandeep. ''But vote for me,'' he reminds.
Arpita Mukherjee
She's not one for nicknames, definitely not if it's 'papita'. An Economics graduate from Delhi University, she first appeared on Zee's music show. ''But it didn't launch me. Sony has given me a consistent exposure. Today, people recognise me,'' she says. She likes to woo lady luck with her Sai Baba pendant and feels that even failure gives meaning to life. With two Bongs on the show, are there any showdowns? ''No. Though Ruprekha did once sweetly mention she was jealous,'' she says. Honesty, once again, is the best policy.
Jassi Mona Singh
She's been battling the identity crisis the
script has always demanded. We've been dying to ask her if she's heard of DNA testing which is an easier route to prove identity than hiring lawyers. ''But then how could we have shot 16 courtroom episodes?'' smiles the beautiful Jassi. She was one of the celebrity judges for the show.
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