What’s the big deal about Sanjaya Malakar

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rosewood104

@rosewood104

Dazzler

Posted: 18 years ago

What's the big deal about Sanjaya Malakar?
By: Tushar Joshi
April 7, 2007

Loathing him: Sanjaya Malakar

The shy teenager of Indian descent has made more than just a mark in the sixth

season of American Idol.

While the judges want him out, Sanjaya Malakar continues to get the highest percentage of votes from American viewers!

Who is Malakar?

Born in Washington DC, 17-year-old Sanjaya Malakar has become a rage not just in America but also the rest of the world, for his charmed presence in the sixth season of American Idol.

Born to a Bengali father and an Italian mother, Sanjaya continues to receive massive audience support to push him through to the finals despite his modest singing skills and the judges' obvious displeasure.

The singer, known less for his singing than for his creative hairstyles, recently raised more than a couple of eyebrows when he walked on stage flaunting a 'fauxhawk'.

But controversy's favourite child continues to find himself in the middle of unpleasant situations. Several blogs have sprung up on the internet petitioning against Malakar's continued presence on the show.

While radio commentator Howard Stern asked his listeners to vote for Sanjaya, on the other side, Idol judge Simon Cowell went on record to say that he won't return to the show if Sanjaya wins.

Hunger strike

A 23-year-old girl calling herself J went on a hunger strike to get Malakar off the show. Calling it the Starvation for Sanjaya campaign, J posted her daily ramblings on how badly she wanted him out of the competition.

This is what she posted on her blog a few days back. "Although I have ended my 16-day hunger strike due to medical reasons, I still continue my efforts to get Sanjaya Malakar removed from American Idol. We here at Starvation for Sanjaya still believe that although Sanjaya seems like a very nice young man, based on his performances, we DO NOT feel that he is right for American Idol.

https://www.myspace.com/starvationforsanjaya

Reactions from Indian Idol camp

Anu Malik, judge

I haven't been following American Idol, but yes, I am aware of Sanjaya Malakar and the controversy surrounding him. I think it's outrageous for people to find flaws in him because of his skin colour or his ethnicity. I believe he's a bad singer but is on the show because of a huge female fan following. I think it's unfair to pass judgments on him without giving him a fair chance.

Sonu Niigaam, former judge

I really can't comment on him since I haven't watched him sing, but I am aware that people in America are voting for him. But I think the hate campaigns against American Idol for getting singers like him is silly. I guess it works for Sanjaya because he is getting his share of publicity.

Farah Khan, former judge

I have heard about him from friends and have read about in the papers, but I have had no time to sit down and actually watch him sing. I have no opinion on him as a singer, as I am caught up with the production of my film Om Shanti Om.

Mini Mathur, anchor

I've heard about Sanjaya but I haven't really had the chance to hear him sing. I believe he has become quite popular and at the same time controversial. It's really sad that people have hate sites, blogs and email campaigns to get him out of the competition. He has every right to stay in the contest since the voters haven't thrown him out yet.

cheers

resh

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Frequent Posters

username88

@username88

Sparkler

Posted: 18 years ago

woah crazy ppl hu want him off da show
i dun rely care if he wins or not
buh sum ppl r jus weird, aite u dun like him buh a hunger strike😕 😕dats crazy n foolish lol like ne1 is gonna listen 2 u 😕 😆 😆

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faiza

@iluvabhijeetsaw

Inactive

Posted: 18 years ago

Wow a hunger strike... thats pretty intense like how much can sum 1 disliek him 2 go on a hunger strike 2 get him off d show thats not rite n ya pretty crazy as i see it like wow 😕

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Anisha

@anisha1129

Inactive

Posted: 18 years ago

yea i think dats really weird,,to go on a hunger strike??! 😕 well anyways i rlly dun care either if he winz or not 😉

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anonmember

@anonmember

Inactive

Posted: 18 years ago

There is a big deal or else Mid Day would not be writing an article on Sanjaya Malakar!! 😆

Even the judges do not seem to mind his presence on the show anymore. Randy says he won't even comment on the vocals anymore but says 'Sanjaya is a great entertainer'. Paula feels the same, especially after Sanjaya danced with her during his 'Cheek to Cheek' performance LOL. Simon's comment: 'lets try something else this week, incredible?!' 😆

I just hope Melinda, Jordin, Blake and Lakisha aren't voted out before Sanjaya. The four are the best singers in Idol this season. I think Melinda, Jordin and Lakisha were the top three this week.

Maybe the II judges/hosts should watch a AI few episodes (especially Anu Malik) of the show before making such strong opinions. 😕

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Vijey Umang

@Vijey Umang

Inactive

Posted: 18 years ago

Well Well...

Guys...Think longer...

This is the part of plan ! Sadly but its true that this all gimmicks are pre planned by channel guys to hype up viewership !

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SCS

@jimhawkins

Sparkler

+ 4

Posted: 18 years ago

Originally posted by: V.T.
Farah Khan-why the h is she talking about her film while shes giving an opinion on him.

😆😆😆 i agree - she doesnt forget t slip it in wherever possible...

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Huzaifa Kaderbhai

@kothra

Inactive

Posted: 18 years ago

Lol..It sounds interesting.

whenever i c american ido cuming on mnet i change the channel..

nw i feel i will watch n c who is sanjaya

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anonmember

@anonmember

Inactive

Posted: 18 years ago

Originally posted by: V.T.
Farah Khan-why the h is she talking about her film while shes giving an opinion on him.

True 😆 Free publicity, I guess...😆 But I'm looking fwd to the film.

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anonmember

@anonmember

Inactive

Posted: 18 years ago

#10

Originally posted by: V.T.
heyy kash fan😉 yup yup. i agree. but do you remember that interview that she said she doesnt like indian films?????????? so what is she doing in bollywood. shes a ...........😡

Nope, don't remember that interview. 😕 Thats really funny cos she's a Bollywood choregrapher and director. I guess she hates her job as well. 😆 I'm just glad Farah is not judging II3. 😃👏

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What’s the big deal about Sanjaya Malakar

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