Amanat is totally floored by India

He came all the way from Pakistan to be a part of the vishwayudh in Zee's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007 in India. Now, he is the only one left from his country, and he wants to be the voice of the world. We find out what makes this young contestant tick.

You are the only surviving contestant from Pakistan still fighting it out... How do you feel?

I feel great, although the pressure has increased, since I am the only one left. Honestly, it doesn't matter whether I'm from Pakistan or Hindustan. What matters is that I have reached the top four. Now I have to work harder.

How did you react when you heard that you were selected for a show in India?

Coming to India has been the best thing that ever happened to me. I was so excited when I got to know about the show. India has always been a place I have heard of, and there was a longing in me to come here.

All the other Pak contestants have been voted out. Have their eliminations upset you?

I have also lost Indian friends, for whom I feel equally bad. As for the Pak contestants, they all have high expectations from me. They are happy that I'm still in the competition.

Do your folks back home get to watch your show? What is the reaction you get back home?

Yes, they do watch the show without fail and they are all proud of me. I do get homesick, but the love and warmth that I get here makes up for a lot of it. I wish it was possible for my family to come here and see the number of hearts I have won in India.

What did you expect of India and Indians before coming here? How different is it from what you imagined it to be?

I don't see any difference between the two countries, India and Pakistan. A border separates the two, otherwise I see the same roads, the same buildings and above all, the same warmth. This country gave me inspiration to sing better. And I am really grateful to the people here for accepting me and appreciating my talent.

What have you been upto here, apart from singing?

I have done quite a bit of travelling. I have seen Satara, Lucknow, Allahabad, Ahmedabad, Delhi and many other places in the process of shooting. Satara and Mumbai have attracted me the most. I like non-vegetarian food and I'm happy that in Mumbai I can get it easily. I also savour the local street food like sev puri, paani puri, bhel puri and vada pav.

Pakistani music and musicians have found a great acceptance in India. Will this work in your fav-our?

Well, I hope so. singers from Paki-stan like Soukat Amanat Ali, Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Kahn, Ghulam Ali, the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Adnan Sami are all very popular here. They have developed a completely uni-que style. I hope I too will be able to develop my own style. I will launch my album soon after this competition and I have faith that people will appreciate it.

You already had a stint with Bollywood too...

Yes. As part of the Sa re ga ma team I did the playback singing for Bal Ganesha. There are other offers too, but they are still in the nascent stages. I plan to spend at least 10 months every year in India. But if ever had to choose between the two countries, I'd go for India.