'I cried for a long time after I lost'
... says Diwaker Sharma, who was among the finalists of a talent hunt. Other finalists, Sameer Mohammed and Sanchita Bhattacharya talk about their experiences
ROSHNI MUKHERJEE
How has life changed after winning the contest?
Sanchita Bhattacharya:
From a simple Class IX girl, I have become famous. Everywhere people know who I am. When I returned to Kolkata, I couldn't even pass through the crowd gathered near my house to reach home. Everybody in my neighbourhood was elated to see me win the contest.
Sameer Mohammed:
People treat me with respect now. Earlier, people thought I was just a little boy not capable of much. In fact, when I returned people welcomed me by bursting crackers.
Diwaker Sharma: The phone keeps ringing 24X7. People want to talk to me. When I came back, people in my neighbourhood welcomed me with flowers and beating drums.
Were you expecting to win?
Sanchita: I sure was determined to win, but sometimes my confidence did falter. I was not getting sufficient votes and I felt that Sameer and Diwaker would beat me to it.
Sameer: I was. I used to get the highest number of public votes. That gave me hope.
Diwaker: When the voting started, I was always on the first, second or third position. That was after I was voted back in the show. Only once I was in the danger zone. And that was when Abhrokanti was voted out. That's why I expected to win.
How will you balance career and school now?
Sanchita: I don't know. But I sure want to make a career out of singing.
Sameer: It will be difficult but I sure intend to manage.
Diwaker: My singing career comes first. I will continue to study as long and as far as I can.
Any contract that you have signed?
Sanchita: I have a two-year contract with the channel and Bappida has said that he would let me do a playback for his next project.
Sameer: Nothing as such has happened so far.
Diwaker: I have not yet signed with any banner or channel.
Whose favourite were you?
Sanchita:
Alkaji's. She was very sweet. In fact, when I started crying thinking that I was the first runnerup, she came up to me and said, 'Silly, you are the winner. Why are you crying?'
Sameer:
Main teeno judges ka favourite tha. Diwaker: I was Bappida's favourite. In fact, when I sang O sathi re, he was overcome with emotion.
Did you get any scoldings during the training sessions with Abhijit, Bappi Lahiri and Alka Yagnik? Sanchita: Sameer got scolded the most. He was always up to some badmashi.
Sameer: I never got scolded from any of the three judges. Sanchita bahut chalu hai. She is the one who used to get scolded.
Diwaker: Sameer was the one who used to be scolded the most. He was always up to something. If I started singing, he used to break out laughing.
Like Twinkle, would you take up acting?
Sanchita: It is for my parents to decide what I will do if I don't get proper singing offers and get acting proposals instead.
Sameer: If I get a chance, woh bhi kar lenge.
Diwaker: For me singing is a priority.
Moments with SRK.
Sanchita: I was overjoyed to meet him. He said he had heard me sing and liked it. Sameer: It was great. Diwaker: It was wonderful getting to meet the man. He was very kind and encouraging.
How did you feel when Sanchita became the first girl to win the contest? Sameer: I was a bit sad initially but she is my friend and I am happy for her. Diwaker: I cried for a long time after I lost. Now, I have controlled my emotions.
How will you feel if Sameer and Diwaker start getting more offers than you? Sanchita: I will be happy. I have tied them rakhi. But I also will be a little sad if I don't get work.
Vanshaj
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
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