UA are more than singing partners

Mumbai - Ujjaini and Aishwarya, the winning couple of the first 'Ek Main Aur Ek Tu' musical competition on Zee TV, say their friendship goes beyond the show.

'When Bipasha (Basu) announced our names, I couldn't believe it! I was eliminated in 'Sa Re Ga Ma Challenge'. When I came back on 'Ek Main Aur Eu Tu', I was determined to do something I'd be remembered by. Fortunately, I got a singing partner in Ujjaini with whom my compatibility goes beyond the professional,' Aishwarya told IANS.

'Yes, we are much more than singing partners. In fact, she'll be accompanying me to my hometown in Muzaffarpur (Bihar) when I visit my family next week. And then I'll go with her to her home in Kolkata. We intend to make a lot of music together,' he added.

They had won by a margin of 10,000 votes over rival singing couple Sharib-Banjyotsana at the finals held on June 23 in Dubai's Airport Expo Indoor Stadium.

When the winners were announced, Sharib's parents were reportedly so shocked that his mother fell into a faint and had to be taken to hospital,

'Sure Aishwarya-Ujjaini and Sharib-Banjyotsana are friends. But it was a fight to the finish and even their parents realised it. They sat in separate corners refusing to talk to one another,' said Gajendra Singh, producer-director of the show.

The air crackled and hissed with excitement as the judges Bipasha, Madhur Bhandarkar and music composer Shamir Tandon (the 'Corporate' team) gathered at the venue along with the show's resident judges Hariharan and Leslie Lewis and anchors Rohit Roy and Ishita Arun.

Apart from the participants and their parents, 8,000 spectators watched the 'Ek Main Aur Ek Tu' finalists as the two couples battled it out for the Jodi No. 1's crooning crown. The event was telecast Saturday night on Zee TV.

Singh feels that in Dubai 'Ek Main Aur Ek Tu' got more attention than International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards, which was held last week.

'We had live events in Delhi and Kolkata last week where the two finalist couples were received with overwhelming warmth. We hosted the grand finale in Dubai. Believe me, the buzz was stronger for our event than for the IIFA. That's what people say.'

The most heart-warming aspect of the competition that has carried the duos to the finishing line is the real-life compatibility that has emerged between the couples.

Sharib speaks for Banjyotsana when he said: 'She is from Assam. I am from Rajasthan. Music brought us together. Our friendship goes much beyond this platform. Sure we wanted to win. But our biggest victory is the friendship that Banjo and I have formed. We were both nervous about the finale. But we knew we were doing our best. And to us that was enough.'

Ujjaini says Aishwarya has become her closest friend.

'Aishwarya and I are more than just music partners. After so many weeks of togetherness he has become my closest friend. I don't know what will happen to our relationship in the future. Winning this competition is the most important moment of my life. I screamed so much in joy that my voice is almost gone,' said Ujjaini.

'The bond between Aishwarya-Ujjaini and Sharib-Banjyotsana is nothing routine. They

are linked by music into a closeness that goes way beyond professional compatibility. From sharing food to resting their tired heads on each other's shoulders, these two couples are completely linked to their singing partners,' said Singh.

Would Aishwarya-Ujjaini and Sharib-Banjoytsana continue to be companions after 'Ek Main Aur Ek Tu'?

'I would think so. They aren't the first couple to have formed a durable togetherness through our show. Vinit and Himani are today inseparable friends. Even I met my wife during 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa',' said Singh.