Sameer, Diwakar, Sanchita: Lil Champions

For 12-year-old Sameer no one tops Kishore Kumar, Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar. "I love Tujhse Naraz Nahin and Yeh nayan dare dare," he says.

Strictly no tapori songs for 13-year-old Diwakar. " I dislike tapori songs, for instance Style mein rehna. I love slow melodious numbers like Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai and Chaand Mera Dil. Lataji is my inspiration. These days I like listening to KK. I am partial to the song from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam especially Tadap Tadap. I like Kunal Ganjawala's Bheege honth," he says. As for international pop, Diwakar likes Elton John and Boney M. "My favourite song is By The Rivers Of Babylon," he says.

"Mujhe bahut kuch diya sab logon ne. Edwin Uncle presented me with an expensive Ipod. And one lady gifted a gold chain," adds the lucky champ. And here's the big boost. "Yesterday, Salman Khan's mother called me thrice to invite me to their home but I could not go because of rehearsals," says Sameer.

While Diwakar is being egged on by Delhiwallas. "I've got tremendous support from Delhi. They are very proud that I have come so far. My friends in Chennai gifted me an Ipod and I got loads of chocolates too," says the 13-year-old.

There was lot of masti. Abhijit danced with me while Alkaji accompanied me in the singing. Another episode was shot in Delhi where I sang Beedi jalai le from Omkara and Tauba tauba from Kaal," says the singer.

For Sameer, the one featuring his parents is unsurpassed. "When I sang Tujhse Naraz Nahin, Shaan, Alkaji and Bappi da cried. It was very touching," he says.

"My most memorable episode was the one in which music director Pritamji and KK were present. I sang Aashiq banaya and Tadap tadap ke. Pritamji remarked that he forgot he had composed the song and KK hugged me," says Diwakar.

Final countdown
"There's a lot of pressure in the contest because we have to dance as well as sing. My hands and feet become cold and I start shivering but I console myself that all will be well.

When I am, I pray to our family kuldevta, Kishenji, Ganeshji and Shivji," says Sanchita. She admits that she's nervous about the finals but is also confident that she will perform well.

Little Champ Sameer says, "When I am nervous, I tend to drink lots of water aur poora darr dimag se hata deta hoon. I was very scared about the outcome when I sang for the first time. I tend to do masti and forget everything." Diwakar admits that he never lets stress get the better of him. "I feel it interferes with one's singing," he says.

In fact, the coolheaded champ has already decided how he would spend his prize money if he wins — "I want to buy a motorcycle and whiz off to Switzerland with a friend," he says.