http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/23/stories/2006012304721400.htm
ULFA "threatens" television show contestants
| Three of them charge that they were threatened to pull out |
As per the format of the show, which is in the final stages now, the winner will be decided on the basis of public votes elicited through SMS. New Delhi : Zee TV's music talent hunt show 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005' was in for some real-life drama with contestants and the show's brand manager allegedly being threatened by ULFA to favour a contestant from Assam.
"We received complaints from three contestants that they were threatened by ULFA militants to pull out of the show in favour of Debojit, one of the four finalists, who hails from Assam," a spokesperson for ZEE TV told PTI here.
He said the show's brand manager also got a similar call from a person who claimed to be from the ULFA and demanded that Debojit "should win the contest."
Another issue which irked the other contestants was almost 80 per cent of votes in favour of Debojit were from the northeast region. As per the format of the show, which is in the final stages now, the winner will be decided on the basis of public votes elicited through SMS.
The huge response from the northeast made the other contestants cry foul, most of whom threatened to pull out of the contest after dubbing the process as "unfair". The matter was finally resolved after the intervention of Gajendra Singh, director and producer of the show. "All the contestants have apologised for their behaviour and will continue in the show," the spokesperson said.
He added that the show was "back on track" and there would be "no change" in its format.
The show, likely to end next month, promises the winner a flat in Mumbai apart from huge amount of cash. — PTI
http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1009013&CatID=7
'I have forgiven them'
Sudipto Chattopadhyay
Sunday, January 22, 2006 19:04 IST
Debojit Saha decides to come clean on the controversy that shook the 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge' show, rubbishes talk of an ULFA hand.
Debojit Saha, one of the leading claimants to the crown of 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005', says he harbours no ill-will against his competitors — Vineet, Himani and Hemchandra — who publically disapproved of him on the show.
The dumbfounded boy from Silchar says the trio, who swore to be his friends, wanted to stage a walkout because he had secured the highest number of votes on the show. "I couldn't believe my ears. They were like family to me. Suddenly they began to doubt by capabilities only because I secured the highest number of votes. Is it my fault that people voted for me?"
Debojit explains the arithmetic of the voting pattern, "When they said that I had secured 80 per cent of my votes from the North-East and only two per cent from the rest of the centres, it did not mean that I scored lesser number of votes than them from the rest of India. The two percent votes from Mumbai were higher in number than the combined total of what they had earned from the same territory. I polled the highest number of votes from every region in India."
The singer says he finds the accusations that ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) is espousing his cause ridiculous.
"If I really had ULFA links I would not have been surviving hand-to-mouth for so many years. When the top ten finalists were chosen, judges including Pandit Jasraj and Hari Prasad Chaurasia felt that we were the best. I feel sad when the same mentors now doubt my talent."
Debojit is deeply indebted to mentor Ismail Durbar who took up cudgels on his behalf when Vineet questioned his ability. "I will never forget Guruji's gesture. I am also grateful to Gajendra Singhji and salute his stupendous efforts," says an emotionally charged Debojit.
On a more wistful note he concludes, "I did not participate in 'Challenge' to win but to showcase my talent. I am sad that the show has to end on a bitter note. Even if I win I'll not be ecstatic as I have lost the love of my fellow-participants. But I have forgiven them as they are younger to me."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1381721.cms
NEW DELHI: Zee TV's music talent hunt show 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005' was in for some real-life drama with the contestants and the show's brand manager allegedly being threatened by Ulfa insurgents to favour a contestant from Assam.
We received complaints from three contestants that they were threatened by Ulfa militants to pull out in favour of Debojit, who hails from Assam, a Zee TV spokesperson said.
See http://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1381459.cms
