| | After a long journey, we are finally arriving to the Indian Idol Finale next week, but before that let's just review the Maha Sangram between Sandeep Acharya and N.C. Karunya!
In my opinion, Indian Idol Maha Sangram is actually a joke, because if one thinks that Sandeep Acharya is anywhere near N.C. Karunya as a singer or performer – I openly laugh at such a notion! The proof is in the pudding they say, but I think not many are aware of this fact!
If one wants to know how I came to this conclusion, one must just listen to the Shahrukh Khan Medley that started the Last Gala before the Finale!
N.C. Karunya kick-started the show with "Chand Tare Tood Lao" from "Yes Boss" what I love most about Karunya is the fact that no matter whose song he sings – it becomes distinctly a Karunya Number!
Sandeep Acharya was literally out of tune with "I'm The Best" – it was so painful that I was like – God, who kicked him that he is almost crying – well not crying – but something worse than that? I was told last week by Shree that I was lenient to Sandeep!
Shree honey, Sandeep literally sucked this week – and I mean literally!
Then the kids circled around like in a showdown singing title song of "Josh"!
Now here's the funny part – I kept on seeing Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller's male models walk-off and in Indian Idol context, it made the entire thing even more hilarious!
Seriously, Sandeep was so out of tune that I was almost cringing and to have him do so badly at this stage is not funny – it is almost ridiculous! Even if Sandeep wins the title – I think his shelf life is extremely short – whereas Karunya, Amey and other good singers might not have the title, but their shelf life is amazing! Already the record companies are approaching these people!
Anyway, Mini Mathur and Aman Verma introduced the guest judge – the macho man of Indian Cinema – Suniel Shetty! Suniel was asked who his favourite was and he said that Karunya was his favourite!
It might seem like blatant favouritism, but I kind of understand it! Here's a thing – I have been very competitive in my life, so I know how this works, favouritism is nothing alien to me, because I was a favourite, but frankly, if I get a harsh critique day after day after day – I would either step up and prove those people wrong or just resign! Sandeep Acharya does not get it! And that is a tragedy!
The judges were asked how they felt now at this stage of the competition and the competitor!
Farah Khan the Maestro said that the two deserving guys are in the finale – so she felt rather good about it!
Anu Malik did not mince his words and said the obvious choice would be Karunya although Sandeep was good!
Sonu Nigam said that he was excited for the Final Two – but at the same time he was very nervous!
The first theme as many of you know – thanks to Nav was Amitabh Bachchan songs!
Sandeep Acharya took the stage with an Amitabh Bachchan track from "Bombay To Goa" – "Dekha Na Soocha Na" is a lively number but alas, it was a lackluster performance and Sandeep just cannot carry the verve of Kishore Kumar – making the performance at the best boring! Seriously, if Sandeep wins – I feel sorry for Indians! Sandeep must have tried but there are limitations in him, so I am not a fan and never will be! I hate (I know) his smile – I just want to punch him – I am sorry but that's how I feel!
Suniel Shetty was the first to critique and he said that with a good singing voice – there is a possibility that Sandeep might contend to be an actor and that was a double threat! Suniel, let me just ask you man, "Whatcha talking about?" Sandeep, an actor? – God!
Anu Malik just cannot hide the loathing and he said Sandeep could have done better! He added that Sandeep went off the track and was not in tune, which was unacceptable at this stage!
Sonu Nigam too said that performance was not up to the mark and his expressions were missing from the performance!
Crazy Maestro Farah Khan went on her regular trip and said Sandeep was outstanding! Is she for real?
I was not asked, but this week I am going to be a judge!
I think Sandeep was boring and that was a forgettable performance, which would not even get any applause from cockroaches or mice or whatever, if sung in a bathroom, while taking a shower!
Hey, I am not half bad as a judge – who'd thunk it?
Indian Idol people – do you want a firang as a judge?
Sandeep was asked by Mini / Aman how he would rate his performance out of 10 and his reply was 20! He surely knows his math! Hey Sandeep, I will borrow Chandler's dialogue – "From 1 to 10 – 10 being the dumbest – you certainly are 20!"
N.C. Karunya came up next and sang apt "Jahan Teri Yeh Nazaar Hai" from the movie, "Kaalia"! It was a fantastic performance with great vocals – he clearly made the song his own and it had all the components required for a successful presentation! It was fun song – and Karunya seemed to enjoy every moment of it – I loved it! And this is a compliment coming from me, because I just did not like the angry man days of Mr. Bachchan! Although, I must add I am a huge fan of Mr. Bachchan now, but I still hate those movies made in 80s!
Farah Khan was obviously impressed – well, it takes very little to please her – somewhere her hubby is murmuring – "If only you knew!"
Anu Malik said that Karunya has a fantastic voice and he can be a great playback singer!
Sonu Nigam almost was in danger because my fists were getting stronger and tighter when he said that though Karunya was enjoying his performances – he was tense and he needed to relax – but then Sonu got a reprieve from me, when he went in a cutesy tone – obviously Karunya took the advice!
Suniel Shetty was thoroughly impressed and coined that the performance was just brilliant!
The next theme was Original Song composed by Sandeep Chowta and written by Sameer!
Now I did not really like this song – I mean I expected something more and I am ok being a minority here!
Sandeep Acharya came and performed the song without any zeal and made the performance look stupid with his stupid acting – it was so juvenile that I actually felt sorry for him! "Mere Jaise Koi Kahaan, Mere Saath Sara Jahaan" Ok, I will give him that no one is like him, but with him is the entire world? Who is he kidding besides himself?
Anu Malik said that since it was an original song – he was free to interpret it anyway he wants and Sandeep was good, but could have been better!
Sonu Nigam also was satisfied!
Farah Khan was happy – what's new?
Suniel Shetty said Sandeep had a nice voice!
As far as I was concerned – I want to know why Sandeep is still singing! That was terrible!
After Sandeep, N.C. Karunya took the stage and he did not sing the song – he lived it! He was totally in tune with the words of the song and even I knew that he was dedicating the song to his rents as they were enjoying every moment of his performance by clapping and cheering! He took the song to a new height – this proves how a good singer can levitate any simple boring song to a great height!
The critique was emotional trip, because all the four judges were more than impressed!
Karunya confessed that his mum was not a singer, yet she taught him the first song and when he came on the stage – he could not help but dedicate the song to his mum and that he was so emotional that at one point he felt like he would start crying! His mum was in tears and kept on blowing him kisses – it was such a sweet moment – it is no secret that I love me mum, so I was almost in tears, but I had to control them, because my mum and my gal were on my case! I told me mum, "Sometimes, you make it so easy for me to hate you!"
I frankly don't remember the critique because they all seemed so pointless after the performance, but I do know that when Mini asked Karunya's mum how she felt – she said that she was thankful to Indian Idol people who made Karunya famous – she just wanted her son's voice to be heard!
The dedication of Karunya towards his rents – especially his mum reduced Suniel Shetty and Sonu Nigam to tears and I think Sonu said that Karunya made the entire moment special for all! It was simply beautiful, because I don't think these many people can have tears running down their cheeks, just to put up a show!
I think that if Karunya does not win this – it would be a great shock, but at the same time I think that Karunya might do beautifully with or without the title of Indian Idol!
Last theme was Contestant's Choice!
Sandeep Acharya came on the stage and declared that he would be singing an Udit Narayan track composed by Rajesh Roshan – son of legendary Roshan, brother of Rakesh Roshan and uncle of Hrithik Roshan!
They aired a clip of Rajesh Roshan giving tips to Sandeep as to how the song and the performance would go kaput if Sandeep is not careful! Sandeep simply does not hear good advice!
"Hawano Ne Kaha" is a track I had never heard and I am not at all sure what movie it was from and frankly the performance sucked! I had a fear that Sandeep just might have an advantage over Karunya with this song – but the fact is many of my friends here were clueless about this song – so it was one of those songs, which are rather quaint!
Anu Malik said that Sandeep was out of tune that it was not even funny – he also said that at such a stage – Sandeep singing in such a way is unacceptable! He also added that Sandeep might think what do the judges know – ultimately it is what the Indians think! But that was not going to stop Anu from telling it like it is!
Sonu Nigam also echoed Anu Malik's sentiments, but he argued with Anu if the performance was that bad!
Farah Khan said that the song was ordinary and Sandeep made it extraordinary and that he was outstanding – Anu interjected asking Farah, how was Sandeep outstanding? Farah said he performed with passion!
Suniel Shetty, man of few words – said that as a layman he thought that the song was a wrong choice despite the fact that Sandeep has a nice voice!
When Mini / Aman asked Sandeep whether he felt that he chose the wrong song – he replied that he liked the song and he performed it well!
Sandeep – I forgot – you sucked major time!
Next in line was N.C. Karunya! He decided to end the gala with a classical number in Raga Darbari – a Raga created by Miyan Tansen!
Karunya was told that since he had chosen a Manna Dey's song, Manna Dey had a few words for him and frankly, he was extremely overwhelmed by this! I would be too, if someone I worship had few words for me! Manna Dey said that if Karunya knows about Raga – Raginis – he was choosing the right song!
"Jhanak Jhanak Tori Baaje Payaliya" is based in Raga Darbari – a Raga best performed and heard around midnight or after!
Karunya gave a flawless Raga Darbari presentation from the film, "Mere Huzoor" – with all the characteristics intact! His Sargam was beautifully executed and the Laya was best observed!
In my opinion, this was one of the best, if not the best performance on Indian Idol!
Anu Malik said that Karunya singing such a song was no joke, because to sing such a difficult song at such a crucial stage is taking a great risk and Karunya gave an amazingly outstanding performance and added that he did not care, if Karunya won the title or not, but in his mind – Karunya was the Indian Idol!
Sonu Nigam said that his performance was superb!
Farah Khan finally admitted that Karunya was the best!
Suniel Shetty said that the people of South India needed to see the show and vote for Karunya because he certainly needs all the support he gets!
Sandeep Acharya, N.C. Karunya and Suniel Shetty ended the show by singing title track of "Dhadkan" and here's the surprising part, Karunya and Suniel drowned Sandeep!
Sandeep literally does not have a strong voice, because if Suniel – who by the way is not a good singer can drown him, what is left to say?
Anyway, I am very impressed by Karunya and I think he deserves to win, but if by any chance Sandeep wins – his future is extremely meek!
I am sure there might be great singers last year on Indian Idol, but the problem with Reality Television is you are as good as the season!
However, I am told that the contestants this year were far better than last year!
Any case, after this gala if Karunya loses, it won't be because of his voice or performances – it would be for all the wrong reasons!
I almost forgot – Karunya was asked what quality he had that Sandeep did not! And Karunya said Sandeep did not learn Carnatic Classical Music – that in my view was a brilliant answer!
Last night as I was seeing the show, I was almost nostalgic! What a journey is has been!
When my gal and I decided to meet my rents in India – the plan was to stay here for a month and return back to states but then circumstances made the pleasure trip into a business trip!
I could not be as active as I would have liked on this site and I felt rather guilty about it!
When my friends here told me that I should catch Indian Idol – I did with great scepticism!
However, I must admit that I was hooked to the show along with my rents and my gal!
Thinking back, it seems like yesterday that I heard Sagar Sawarkar, Yashashree Bhave, Neha Kakkar, Monali Thakur, Panna Gill, Ravi Tripathi, Meenal Jain, Antara Mitra, Amey Date, Anuj Sharma, Sandeep Acharya and N.C. Karunya for the first time!
After a long journey steeped in smiles and tears we reached the Maha Sangram of Indian Idol!
Controversies made the show and many of the eliminations sent shock waves and even now many are dumbfounded!
Now my only hope and prayer is that N.C. Karunya does not get eliminated – he is a natural born star and its high time Indians know this fact!
VOTE FOR N.C. KARUNYA!
Cheers! | Indian Idol - N.C. Karunya Steals The Maha Sangram! | Sprout | | | | | | |
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