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Mile Sur Mera Tumhara

Jagmeeta Thind Joy

THIS talent hunt show is perhaps the only one on television that's been credited for promoting 'real' talent. But in recent months, things on Zee TV's flagship show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa got serious and dramatic. First with a judge (or mentors as they are known on the show) walking out and then walking back in, to then the contestants walking out and then making their way back. Then came the surprise vote-outs followed by the biggie - an ULFA threat if contestant Debojit (from Silchar, Assam) didn't win. Publicity gimmicks or sheer TRP boosters, we got the three finalists (Debojit Saha, Vineet Singh and Hema Chandra) over the table (literally) this Wednesday to spill the beans. Here's what they had to say, in chorus:

BILKUL BASELESS: Or so says singer Debojit (29) from Silchar, Assam. ''All talk of threats is baseless. There's no controversy. We are here to sing and perform and people should not make such comments as is se artist ki badnami hoti hai,'' remarked a visibly peeved Debojit. Fellow finalists Vineet (17) and Hema Chandra (17) didn't feel the need to comment.



CONTROVERSIAL INNINGS: Quiz the finalists on all the dramatic walk-outs and walk-ins and they keep mum. We prod them further and finally Vineet speaks for the trio: ''Let bygones be bygones. I am sorry that the viewers felt offended but there were some misunderstandings and it's been sorted out. We were never against Debojit's Bhaiya's singing.''

VOTE'S UP WITH THE AUDIENCE?: Given the fact that some good singers have been voted out by the audience, we ask the three whether it's all fair to let the viewer play the judge? Surprisingly, this threesome doesn't see a problem. ''The final ten contestants were chosen by well-known people from the music fraternity. So the sifting is already done. Now, the audience has to decide and at the end of the day it is about public kya chahiti hai,'' the senior of the three - Debojit - speaks up again.

FUTURE WISE: Win or no win, these finalists say they have already made a mark. ''It's been such a great platform. And as far as work goes, I have already sung for music director and my mentor Aadesh Srivastav who's been my godfather,'' reels off singer Hema Chandra as Vineet adds, ''This contest has got us noticed and we have been approached for work too. So while I hope I win, even if I don't the struggle will continue.''


http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=168105

Whopping 12.5 million SMSs for 'Sa Re Ga...' episode
Subhash K. Jha [Wednesday, February 01, 2006]

+Enlarge Pic Mumbai, Feb 2 (IANS) "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005" has received a record-breaking 12.5 million SMSs in the audience poll section that has left only Debojit and Vinit in the race. Hyderabadi hero Hemachandra has been ousted in Thursday's episode, when Tabu was the star-guest. The programme's producer and director Gajendra Singh says the show hit an all-time high of 12.5 million SMSs in the audience poll section. Once again Debojit topped the audience poll this week, with nearly four million SMSs from the eastern region - Assam, West Bengal and Bihar - alone. "It is a serious problem," said judge Aadesh Shrivastava. "The motto behind 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' was supposed to be 'Aapki Choice India Ki Voice'. But how can it be the nation's voice when one sector corners all the votes for one candidate? I am worried," Aadesh told IANS. But Singh seems fine with the regional tilt. "As long as it is the public's will, how can we question it? Debojit is a very fine singer. Both Debojit and Vinit are equally worthy of winning the finals." Vinit cornered about 2.2 million of the audience vote this week. Thursday's star guest Tabu, a keen student of poetry and music, was seen getting bowled over by the quality of singing. "She reacts to the lyrics and poetry like a true artiste. Her rapport with fellow-Hyderabadi Hemachandra was instant," said Singh. On Friday, Subhash Ghai was back on the show for the third time in a row, this time with his "Shaadi Se Pehle" leading man Akshaye Khanna - who not only interacts with the participants but also sings "Nahin samne tu" from "Taal". Incidentally, Akshaye loves to sing on stage. "I'd rather sing than perform live," he once told me.

http://www.nowrunning.com/news/news.asp?it=5672

It's Debojit Vs Vinit in finals!

by Subhash K Jha Hyderbadi hero Hemachandra has been ousted from Sa Re Ga Ma. The race is now between Debojit and Vinit. In this Thursday's episode, when Tabu will be seen as the star-guest, the audience poll on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa hits an all-time high. The programme's producer and director Gajendra Singh says the show received a whopping recording-breaking 1 crore 25 lakh SMS in the audiences' poll section. Once again Debojit has topped the audience poll this week, with nearly 40 lakh SMS from the Eastern region (Assam, Bengal, Bihar) alone. "It's a serious problem," says judge Aadesh Shrivastava. "The motto behind Sa Re Ga Ma Pa was supposed to be 'Aapki Choice India Ki Voice.' But how can it be the nation's voice when one sector corners all the votes for one candidate? I'm worried." But Gajendra Singh seems fine with the regional tilt. "As long as it's the public's will how can we question it? Debojit is a very fine singer. Both Debojit and Vinit are equally worthy of winning the finals." While Vinit corners about 22 lakhs of the audiences' vote this week, Hemachandra lags behind with 22 lakh votes and gets eliminated this week, thereby paving the way for the grand climactic jugalbandi between Debojit and Vinit. Thursday's star guest Tabu, a keen student of poetry and music, will be seen getting bowled over by the quality of singing. "She reacts to the lyrics and poetry like a true artiste. Her rapport with fellow-hyderabadi Hemachandra was instant," says Singh. On Friday we'll see Subhash Ghai back on the show for the third time in a row, this time with his Shaadi Se Pehle leading man Akshaye Khanna who not only participates with the participants but also sings Nahin saamne tu from Ghai's Taal, thereby winning Ghai over for keeps. Incidentally, Akshaye Khanna loves to sing on stage. "I'd rather sing than perform live," he once told me.

http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=9538

All the best, to both of you !

I'd love to see Debo to come out winner, as he is little more versatile than Vinit, who's a typical Rafi-Sonu copycat... that does not undermine Vinit, but I feel he'll come back later with his own style.

Jeete hain shaan se…



Shaan, long-haired sensation burst into the pop scene with sis Sagarika, powered by pop-guru Biddu's melodies. Speaking to him now, one sees a much matured and an extremely soft spoken person, out to quench his 'Tishnagi'. His latest album 'Tishnagi' is all the young singer talks about. "I have written my own lyrics, composed my own songs. I have always believed in doing something and being able to call it my very own. I don't want to follow trends."

Shaan is currently center-stage with the most talked about show on Indian television today - Challenge 2005. Being the 'Sutradhar' he gets to feel the pulse from the closest range, an experience he enjoys tremendously. "My inspiration is today's youth; lively, positive, confident and open to grow and expand. I want them to start thinking out-of-the box. My fear is that Gen-Next is starting to look alike. It's as if the film industry has become a yardstick. I want to help them think differently." On closer prodding, he shyly admits, "Well my wife Radhika is my muse. She is also my best friend and confidant. She helps me think."


Acting was an option that was explored sometime back with Kalpana Lajmi's 'Daman'. But the shy Shaan was soon to realize that commercial cinema was not for him. It was definitely not a career option though it is something that he might take up in due course.

On Zee TVs Hero Honda Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 is when his true mettle is tested. Says he in a moment of truth, "My voice thickens and my eyes go moist with every elimination, though I keep telling myself it's the format." With that level of involvement, what is his take on the remaining two finalists? According to Shaan, both Vinit and Debojit are very diverse, be it voice, personality, maturity and flamboyance. "They are like Yin and Yan. It will be most interesting to know who makes it to the title. The selection will also determine India's trend and be a reflection of people's tastes." On quizzed about the recent controversies surrounding the competition and alleged rumors of staged dramas on the sets, Shaan offers the ringside view, "The concentration of talent is bound to give a fillip to passions whether that of an involved mentor or then participants for whom it means a lifetime of dreams and aspirations."

At present the country's most popular rage is trying to spend some more time with his two adolescents Soham and Shubh. If talks are to be believed, then there is a short vacation on the anvil, before the grueling sessions of the finals begin.

Answer the question below to visit the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa sets:

The participants sing songs from which famous film maker's films ?
A) Ram Gopal Verma
B) Subhash Ghai
C) Yash Chopra

SMS your answers to 8888 as MMCP <your answer> (eg MMCP b
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/nmirror/mmpaper.asp?sectid=19&ar ticleid=232006141523902320061411687

Debo should win the saregama contest. He seems to be the real challenger facing challenges and winning over them from day one!!

ULFA locks horn with 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa'

Guwahati, Feb 2 (IANS) The hype in the northeast around "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005" - a musical TV show that has a contestant from Assam in the top two - has prompted the rebel United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to react.

The outlawed group has said the singer from Assam, Debojit Saha, should make his stand clear on the promotion of Hindi music in the state - something the ULFA is dead against.

The show aired on Zee TV every Thursday and Friday has reached a climax with Debojit among the top two. Although results are expected to be formally announced Friday.

Only one more performance is left to clinch the "Voice of India" title.

"We respect Debojit's musical talent. But is the hype and support for Debojit justified, as we ought to know if he has really helped promote the cause of the state's folk music through 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa'?" ULFA said in a statement Thursday in its mouthpiece Swadhinata.

"We are not going to tolerate the promotion of Hindi music in our state. It is time Debojit made his stand clear," the rebel statement added.
The format of the show is such that one contestant gets eliminated on the basis of the least number of votes received on SMS or phones after performances aired each week.

Debojit in the past few shows has been the leader, polling the highest number of votes - the bulk of which is from Assam and other northeastern states, thereby triggering a debate among the musical mentors in the show about its format.

Earlier there were reports from Mumbai alleging that ULFA had threatened brand manager of the show on ZEE TV to ensure that Debojit was not eliminated. But the rebel group denied the charges in the statement, saying it would never indulge in things that had no relevance in Assam.

The journey for Debojit has indeed been remarkable - from being one of 32 contestants to reaching the final two, the musical juggernaut is rolling very well for this young engineer from southern Assam's Silchar town, about 300 km from the state's main city of Guwahati.
Debojit has no doubt been hitting the high octaves perfectly in the singing contest, but like in any elections one requires a fair amount of extra skills to translate those performances into votes.

The Debojit fan club has plastered almost every nook and corner of the northeast with posters and banners urging people to vote for him through SMS or land phones. They are running media campaigns, besides roping in influential groups to back him.
http://tvguide.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1399212,curpg -1.cms

Originally posted by: aries_sakshi

Articles & News ----- comments

Director ZeeTV SAREGAMAPA,
I am not in favour of public voting system for grading an artist. It is the duty of experts and welversed with music at national and international level. If at all you want to continue the existing system, native place votes should be deleted. In the presence system people are acting on regional basis and is not at all healthy practice. Last two-three weeks results clearly shows this attitude. How Debojit could become first over vinit who is darling of not only the present mentors but public of entire country. I propose the names of great musicians like Shri. Sajan Mishra, Shri. Rajan Mishra and Pandit Jasraj to act as judges in the final round. From film land, Shri. Subash Ghai also may be included.

I hope my views will be considered to safe guard the great Indian music and up coming artist.

Thanks & regards,
Dr. K.P.L. Goud
& family members.

Never heard these Mishras before. But surely there are athor names much more popular in music and singing.

Zee's reality show 'Sa Re Ga Ma' in different format soon
Mumbai | February 10, 2006 8:36:33 PM IST

Zee TV's popular talent hunt show, 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa challenge 2005' will soon have a changed format with giving another chance to contestants voted out by public demand.
The channel is expected to make this announcement in a few days.

''We have received an overwhelming response to recall contestants who have been voted out by public voting system. We have decided to give another chance to ousted contestants. We owe this to our viewers who have made 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa challenge 2005' the best programme in its genre,'' Zee Network senior vice president Ashish Kaul said.

''We are in the process of fine-tuning details and will make an in-show announcement in next few days,'' he said.

Incidentally, the show has helped Zee TV to reach the no.2 slot in the general entertainment channel rating. In the last four week period, the show scored a Gross TRP of 3.53.

The show has seen many contestants get playback singing opportunities. Some of the contestants have already sang for big banners and bagged contracts from producers and directors, he said.

Quoting, he said Himani has sung for film 'Chingari' starring Sushmita Sen while two contestants have sung for Mithun Chakravarty's film. Subhash Ghai gave open offer to Hemachandra to sing for Mukta Arts and he recently sang for Abhishek Bachchan starrer Aadesh Srivastav's film 'Alagh'. Nihira Joshi sang the 'Dhadak Dhadak' song with Sunidhi Chauhan in 'Bunty aur Babli'.

UNI MR GK RP PC2028

http://news.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=246104&c at=India