Will they win Indian Idol?
There was a time when we would see long queues outside ration shops for kerosene, food grains and the like. Today, those lines seem nothing compared to the ones outside an Indian Idol audition centre.
In the third season of this hugely popular reality show, where youngsters from all over the country try their luck at instant fame, and sometimes even singing, the auditions saw a great response in all the 12 cities where they were held. The Mumbai audition held recently saw some people dressed up to attract attention, and to prove that they had what it takes to be famous. About 5,000 people made it to the first round of the three-day auditions in Mumbai. Out of these, about 120 people were selected. We spoke to a couple of participants who had queued up for Indian Idol. The judges -- Anu Malik, Alisha Chinai, Udit Narayan and Javed Akhtar -- were present, and they were understandably nervous.
Chandana Barua
Age: 23
I am from Guwahati, Assam. I finished my graduation last year. I'm not doing anything since. I want to become a singer so I have come to try my luck here. We are five of us, including my parents. My father is a businessman and mother is a housewife. My mother has come with me to Mumbai. When I saw the ads of Indian Idol, I told my mother that I wanted to participate in it, and she was okay with it. I wanted to participate from Kolkata but my younger sister's exams were going on then so I couldn't go there with my mother. After her exams, my mother was relatively free so we decided to come here. I have never participated in a competition before; not even the first two seasons of Indian Idol. I came at 8:30 am on the first day but my turn to sing came at 1:30 pm. My experience was good. At first, I was very nervous because this was the first time I was participating in a contest. But then I thought that I have come so far for this; there was no point in getting nervous. I prayed and went inside and sang Parineeta's song Kaisi paheli. All the participants are tensed. Some of them were singing and rehearsing. We were not provided with food, so we had to get our own tiffins. I have a lot of expectations from Indian Idol. There are so many people here. May the best win.
Dinesh Kanojia
Age: 19
I'm from Mumbai. After my Std 10, I opted for a diploma in electronic engineering. But I gave it up last year. I stay with my parents. We are five brothers. I love singing and acting. I also like to make people laugh. I had done a lot of preparation before coming for the auditions. My cousin stitched this outfit and bag for me. I did not participate in the first two seasons of Indian Idol because I was below age. I came for the auditions at 11 am, but my turn came only at 4 pm. I sang Sawan ka mahina from Milan. I had made a song on Indian Idol, which they liked. I was not nervous at all. I was making people laugh. One lady, who had come from Jharkhand, told me that my daughter was very nervous but you made her smile. I was very thrilled to hear that. If I become the Indian Idol, I will first help the soldiers at the border. After that, I would like to cut an album.
Vikas Chambial
Age: 26
I am from Himachal Pradesh. I have come alone but my family supports me. They want me to make a name for our small village of Lodhwan in Kangra district. They want to see me on television at least once. There are people in my home and village who are fasting for me. We are farmers. We have leechi and mango farms. We also cultivate rice. We are a family of seven. But my father has passed away. I am the youngest in my family. I tried to audition in all cities where the auditions were held but I got a call from Mumbai. I left all work and came straight to Mumbai. I tried to participate in the first two seasons of Indian Idol but I did not get any calls. I have no formal training in music; I have learnt it from my parents. I have had many opportunities of singing at the local level. I have often sung at army camps. I was not nervous while performing. I always think that I am singing for my father and myself. I sang Ishq hai pani ka ek qatra from Kachche Dhaage. In my second round, I sang Mujhe ishq hai tujhi se. I was asked to sing another song in the second round, and I sang Aanidhiya gaam ki chale to sambhal jaaonga main teri zulf nahi jo bikhar jaoonga. My father would always sing this song.
Shradha Bandokar
Age: 25
I am from Mumbai. I am doing my graduation in music. I did a diploma in 'light' music from the Mumbai University and now, I am giving an exam on classical music from the Allahabad University. We are a family of four, including my parents and my brother, who is in the US. My dad is a retired assistant commissioner of Customs. My mom is a housewife. I have come here with my parents. We had gone shopping to Inorbit (a multiplex mall in suburban Mumbai), and there was this Indian Idol caravan that was asking people to audition. I participated and was selected. I did not participate in the first two Indian Idols because I was still learning. Now, I think I am ready, as I have done stage shows. I sang Crazy kiya re from Dhoom 2. Everyone is nice and cooperative here. The judges are fair. If you are tensed, they calm you first.
Neeraj Chaurasia
Age: 21
I am from Kalyan (on the outskirts of Mumbai). I am doing a course on Event Management. I come from a family of eight. My father is a retired Deputy Bank Manager of the Bank of Rajasthan. My mom is a homemaker. I am a bathroom singer. I enrolled just to go through the experience. But I got selected. I did not participate in first two Indian Idols, as my exams were on both times. I arrived for the auditions at 8 am, but my turn came in the afternoon. I sang Woh pehli baar jab hum mile from Pyaar Main Kabhi Kabhi and Tum mile dil khile from Criminal. I did get nervous when I stood before the judges. But I gave my 100 percent. I want to be famous. But I never thought I would be a singer some day. I want to come out of the bathroom and sing for the public.
https://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/apr/09sld1.htm
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