Indian Idol...Who's Next...?

The countdown has begun!! 12 days from now... nation's top 12 finalists will be seen battling for the country's most coveted title 'Indian Idol' in the final gala rounds which begins from 16th January 2006 at 8.30 pm only on Sony Entertainment Television. With all the fun, excitement, entertainment and emotions overflowing on the show, Indian Idol Series 2 has been received with stupendous viewer response and an unbelievable number of viewer votes giving the nation its final 12 contestants. The galas bring with it grandiose sets, glitz, glamour and loads of talent. Also, if this not enough... viewers can witness the contestants in their new ravishing looks adding more oomph and X factor in the show.

After three months of relentless search by the three judges Farah Khan, Sonu Nigam and Anu Malik for the top 28 gems from over 30, 000 contestants who where auditioned, its been a very exciting journey for Indian Idol. It is the viewers who have made the final decision now and chosen these 12 finalists in the Piano round who they believe have the potential to become the AGLA INDIAN IDOL after Abhijeet Sawant.

With equality equations being played in the show for the first time... amongst the boys in the Piano round we saw NC Karunya from Hyderabad, Sandeep Acharya from Rajasthan, Sagar Arun Sawarkar, Panna Gill, Amey Date and Ravi Tripathi from Mumbai being voted in by the viewers. And amongst the girls we saw Monali Thakur, Antara Mitra and Jolly Das from Kolkata, Neha Kakkar from Delhi, Yashashree Bhave from Nagpur and Meenal Jain from Mumbai being voted in the show.

With the show entering its final leg... it has entered the most exciting phase! The Gala rounds promise the viewers a never before seen entertainment and an unforgettable viewing experience. With better talent emerging on the show this year the viewers will go through a tough situation of selecting the most deserving contestant for this title. The contestants will be seen in an entirely new look after a complete makeover. Also new glittering and dazzling designer outfits will only make their appearance more prominent on the television screens. In the coming weeks watch the making of another musical icon... a true Indian Idol chosen by million of Indian viewers.

Indian Idol's Gala playout

Date	Day	Episode Time	Episode Details
16th Jan	Monday	8:30 - 9:30 pm	First batch of six boys/girls perform
17th Jan	Tuesday	8:30 - 9:30 pm	One contestant with the lowest number of votes is voted out of the show
23rd Jan	Monday	8.30 - 9.30 pm	First batch of six boys/girls perform
24th Jan	Tuesday	8.30 - 9.30 pm	One contestant with the lowest number of votes is voted out of the show
30th Jan	Monday	8.30 - 9.30 pm	First 10 finalists perform
31st Jan	Tuesday	8.30 - 9.30 pm	One contestant with the lowest number of votes is voted out of the show. In the following Monday first nine finalists perform and then the result episode on Tuesday. This will follow for subsequent weeks.

Indian Idol Series 2 has created a mass frenzy and lived upto its promise of being a television phenomenon that brought some of the best talents in the country on our television making them a part of every Indian household. In the first two weeks of Indian Idol Gala rounds we will see performances of the six boys and six girls out of which one contestant with the lowest number of votes will be voted out giving the country top 10 finalists. And these 10 finalists will then compete for the ultimate title.

Million of viewers can votes for their favourite contestants: sms < name of the contestant > to 2525 or Call 190 4424 2525 01-10 < code of the contestant >. Voting lines will be open for 13 hours every Monday 8.30pm till Tuesday 9.30am and the contestants can be voted as many number of times.

Speaking on the occasion, Tarun Katial, Executive Vice-President, Sony Entertainment Television said, "The show has now reached a very exciting stage and I am very happy that the viewers will now get to listen to their chosen favourite singers, whom they have selected over the past 4 weeks. Indian Idol series 2 has received tremendous response from the viewers and some of the contestants have already become a topic of conversation in households... keeping our promise of giving the nation a performer who is not just a good singer... but who makes the nation sing along with them!"

On reaching the final leg of the show, the judges expressed their happiness for the 12 finalists and also wished them luck for the coming weeks. Sonu Nigam said, "I am very happy with the tremendous positive response that the contestants have received from the viewers. All the viewers have appreciated the quality of talent that has been showcased in Indian Idol this year. Looking back at last years 11 finalists and the way life has changed for them post Indian Idol, I believe these 12 finalists are already achievers. They have already made a mark for themselves in the hearts of millions of Indian viewers."

Farah Khan, "It is a pleasure to see your hard work being appreciated. Indian viewers have truly liked the contestants that we chose. The competition is definitely tougher than last year and it is impossible to guess who the viewers will choose this time! I wish luck to all the 12 finalists and urge the viewers to vote for the right contestant and give the country its next singing superstar."

Anu Malik, "Many have been left behind! And many more will leave us... it's the viewers pick now! Only one can become the country's NEXT INDIAN IDOL!! Only the viewers will decide in whom they see their apna Abhijeet Sawant? All the 12 contestants are class apart... Indian Idol Series 2 has seen the best of the talent on the show... The Gala rounds are very promising and the show has reached a very exciting phase... wait and watch what happens next!"

Indian Idol Series 2 has received commendable viewer response and has brought unbelievable talent in front of the viewers. Watch out for which contestant will live the Abhijeet Sawant dream and win the adulation of the entire nation.

The spirit and enthusiasm with which the nation has greeted Indian Idol Series 2 has truly set the tone for yet another nationwide frenzy. And this phenomenal response of the show can be attributed to its path breaking content with an inimitable fusion of drama, humour, music, entertainment and excitement. The coming weeks will witness the final gala round, who will see contestants aspiring to reach the height of fame, recognition and love of the entire nation.

So fasten your belts to watch all this excitement on January 16th at 8.30 p.m. on Sony Ent TV....A Day to Remember. Indian Idol....Who's Next?

Don't miss the action packed high-energy Gala episodes as the viewer's choice now over rides the show. The 12 finalists are all geared up to win your hearts and become a part of your family... your lives and sing for you!! So meet these 12 finalists of the final Gala round of Indian Idol and find out who amongst them will live the Abhijeet Sawant dream and earn the honour, love and affection of the entire nation!!