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How much does Rahul Vaidya earn now?

Reality television promised riches and fame to contestants. Has it delivered?

Here is a look at how a few reality show contestants -- who didn't win but were in the top five -- are doing. In their own words.

Rahul Vaidya, 18, Indian Idol contestant

I was in higher secondary when I participated in Indian Idol. I was also learning singing at the Suresh Wadekar Institute. I did not complete my studies after Indian Idol because I was too tied up.

After the show, my life changed.

Now, I am working with people with whom I had always dreamt of working with. I am travelling the world and doing shows. We (the Indian Idol top three) have a three-year, three-album contract with Song BMG. I have already cut an album called Tera Intezaar. Sony BMG manages the stage shows we do and we have to give them a share.

I have sung for movies like Shaadi No 1, Jaaneman and Jigyasa and also for a few television serials. We have to approach the music directors, Sony doesn't. But getting work has definitely become easier as music directors know us now.

We earn quite a lot through stage shows. But I feel that it is important to sing for movies to survive in the industry. In our contract with Sony Television, we get Rs 300,000 every three months; this contract is for two years. In all, we had three contracts -- two with Sony BMG and one with Sony television.

The Sony BMG contract was for stage shows and albums and Sony Television gives us money every three months.

I am 18 and I am earning more then Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million) per month

Amey Date, 26, Indian Idol 2 contestant

I was a singer and was teaching vocals before I participated in Indian Idol 2. Now I am doing stage shows. I am also planning an album. I have sung bits in two movies, Colour Red and Divorce. After Indian Idol people know me so they call me with singing offers like jingles, album songs and stage shows. But I have still not got any big offers as such.

I am doing the album on my own, which I will start recording in two or three months from now. I am managing the finances too; Sony is not helping me with anything. Sony is only making an album with Sandeep Acharya and nobody else.

As the whole contract with Sony was a one-sided affair, they can decide whether they will make an album (with a contestant) or not. And they have decided on not making an album (with Indian Idol 2 contestants, other than the winner).

We only did two-stage shows with Sony BMG. They paid us for the first show and for the second show the payment is still pending. I met (music director) Sandeep Chowta, and he offered me an album with a contract for three years. But I am still confused. Now I am thinking of making it on my own. I called Anuji (Malik, music director) and he has said he would consider giving me work.

I think the struggle has started now. I am only doing very selected work. I am getting singing and acting offers for Marathi movies. People have offered me work as an anchor; but I am not taking them, as I only want to concentrate on singing.

I am earning around Rs 100,000 per month. I have bought a car. But I still live in a rented house. All my loans -- that I took during Indian Idol 2 -- have been repaid.

Anuj Sharma, 31, Indian Idol 2 contestant

Before participating in Indian Idol 2, I was singing in regional albums -- I had about 20 audio albums and four video albums. (But) People started recognising me after Indian Idol 2 -- I started getting stage shows. I am planning to shift base to Mumbai (he lives in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh) so that I can have a go at singing in movies.

Sony BMG is not doing any album with us. I have not got any money from them. I got fame, that's all. I spoke once to (music director duo) Vishal Shekhar but nothing has materialised as yet. I am planning an album and I am looking for a financier.

I earn approximately Rs 100,000 per month from stage shows. I am planning to buy a house in Mumbai.

Aditi Paul, 26, Indian Idol contestant

I was a schoolteacher before I participated in Indian Idol. I left my job and came to Mumbai. I got married after Indian Idol. My husband works in Kolkata. I meet him once or twice a month.

After the reality show, I started doing stage shows with Sony BMG. I have a two-year contract. I have finished my first year. After this, my actual struggle will start. I have started calling up music directors. I have still not sung for any movies, though I have sung for serials.

I charge Rs 100,000 for a show. I do at least four shows a month.