A TRUE INDIAN IDOL

A true ‘Indian Idol’ RAVINDER RAVI WELLDONE



Statesman News Service
KALIMPONG, Oct. 26. — Music might transform the grief-stricken life of eight-year-old Abishek Tamang, just as it transformed the life of 27-year-old Mr Ravinder Ravi, one of five finalists of the “Indian Idol” television series.
Ravi is now he will be singing to save Abishek’s life. The eight-year-old is suffering due to damage to both his kidneys. During his visit to Siliguri in the first week of October to perform in a Dandia dance organised by Lions Club of Siliguri (Greater), Ravi read about Abishek’ s struggle for life in a vernacular daily.
“I made up my mind then to sing for the boy,” Ravi said, speaking over the phone from New Delhi. Abishek, who hails from Barbotey, about 10 kilometres from Darjeeling, has been suffering from ill-health all through his childhood. “ Music has had a great influence in my life. Perhaps it can help this young boy too,” Ravi said.
His parents grieved that in spite of requests to the DGCH caretaker chairman Mr Subash Ghisingh, Darjeeling MP, Mr Dawa Narbula and ex-area councillor, none have responded with any kind of financial help. Ravi will perform at Algarah, 11 kilometres from here, on 6 November in a programme organised by an NGO called Himalayan Organization for People Education (HOPE). The fund collected will be handed over to “Abishek Tamang Ko Upacharrath Sayog Kosh”, a fund collection cell specially created for Abishek in City Plaza in Siliguri.

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FAME JODI QAZI---RUPREKHA

FAME JODI QAZI---RUPREKHS



Sony Entertainment Television was flooded with more than 50 million viewer votes till date for Fame Gurukul, the talent hunt show for a singing duo.
Ruprekha-Qazi, the Fame Jodi, wins a recording contract with Sony-BMG and a contract worth Rs. 1 crore with Sony Entertainment Television. After sixteen weeks of suspense, and excitement Fame Gurukul unveiled India’s First Fame Jodi Ruprekha and Qazi.
The winning lady, Ruprekha said, “It’s a dream come true for me. Being from Kolkata, I never thought I would be able to make it. This is the best start to my career. Thanks to Fame Gurukul, Ilaji and all the viewers who voted for me. For me singing is my passion and being part of the Fame Jodi is the ultimate recognition. In the coming time, I would like to sing songs that touch people’s heart.”
Qazi, the so-called Hrithik Roshan of television has always been a winner throughout the show, popularized by public vote. With tears in his eyes and excitement showing on his face, Qazi thanked the nation for this win, “My win today, shows people’s love and belief in me. By God’s grace I have got an opportunity where I can sing, act and dance for my country. I would like to do something for the people of Jammu and Kashmir after the unfortunate earthquake. I would like to thank all my viewers, as without them, this win would have not been a reality.”
The last round of the show saw stiff competition between three finalists- Ruprekha, Qazi and Rex, from which two of them would make the winning duo. The audience voted the former two as the winners.
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CALCUTTA AUDITION

Idol chase

The Indian Idol 2 audition results for Calcutta have been declared and Airtel customers just need to dial 64688 to check if they can go for the on-ground audition at Lakeland Country Club later this month. Also, Airtel customers can book guaranteed berths for the auditions by calling 646 on their mobiles till October 21 and saying Indian Idol. The first 500 callers everyday will win guaranteed seats to the auditions.

ABHIJEET SAWANT

Life, as Abhijeet Sawant knew it, changed drastically on March 5.

That was the day he was crowned Indian Idol, one of India's most watched television shows.

Since then, he has often been mobbed in public and has had to travel with bodyguards.

"Life is no longer the same," admits Abhijeet. "I can't stand at ease for even two minutes in a public place. I cannot even stay in my house as thousands of people come home to see me!"

The Indian Idol spoke to News Editor (Entertainment) Syed Firdaus Ashraf about his future.

What have you been doing since you became the Indian Idol on March 5?

I am still feeling high!

I have been recording for the last five days.

I am working on my first album with Sony and trying to finish the work as soon as possible.

How did you feel when you went home after so many months?

I met a lot of people. I feel very happy but I don't want to be bowled over by this hype.

I want to concentrate on my work. I am recording four songs with Bidduji and three with Hardeep (both composers) who live in London.

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When will you lead a normal life?


I stayed at home for a day, and it felt nice.

The problem is that a lot of visitors come to meet me.

I am trying to cope with my new identity now.


Have you interacted with common folk so far?


As far as possible, I am trying to hide from people.

If I stand for two minutes in a public place, I am mobbed!

When I went to a shopping centre, a lot of people came to see me.

I am unable to lead a normal life.


What are the songs in your album like?

There will be romantic songs, and some emotional ones. There is not too much sadness in the album.

It is on the lines of Mohabbatein lootaunga, which I sang on the final day of the contest.


Have you signed up with Saraswat Bank to become its brand ambassador?


I have not been approached to become a brand ambassador. I don't have anything concrete from their side. I only came to know about this through the newspapers!


Do you think you have achieved a lot in life too soon?


Yes!

I had never seen a contract in my life. Now I have to become responsible.

I am trying to learn all kind of ropes now (laughs).


How many autographs have you signed?


Too many!

I have lost count!

A lot of people gave me notebooks at home and told me to complete it for them! (Abhijeet with his parents)


What about your studies?


I have completed my graduation. I will concentrate now only on singing. I was never studious.


If you were not a singer, what you would have done?


I would have probably tried for a job in a bank, maybe worked as a sound recordist.


I believe you are interested in cricket.


Yes, but I never felt like becoming a cricketer.

There are many people in our country who are playing cricket, and therefore I wanted to become a singer.

When are you going to Switzerland with your family?


I will go after I finish this album.


Will you feature in your album's music videos?


Surely!


Will you act in films?


If I am comfortable I will act. I am also open to Marathi films.

I plan to release a Marathi album (Abhijeet with his grandmother).


How much will you earn by winning Indian Idol?


Rs 1 crore (Rs 10 million). But I don't how much of that will go to the government as tax.


What will you do with the money?


I won't get the money all in one go.

I will first get a cheque for Rs 10 lakhs (Rs 1 million). The other amounts will be given to me in installments.

I am from a middle class family and have a habit of saving. I want to save as much as I can. I don't spend money.

I am planning to invest the money wisely so that I get good returns in future.

Do you travel with security these days?


Nowadays, I always travel with two bodyguards.

If I feel the need for security, I will keep them in the future too.


Why didn't you inform your family about participating in Indian Idol?


My family never supported me wholeheartedly as a singer before the show.

The only person who was confident about me was my uncle Sanjay Sawant.

Also, I have a habit of not telling (people) what I am doing when I start something. I only tell people about things after they are over.

I also thought my family would feel offended, and I will get discouraged.


When did your family start getting tense about the show?


When the gala round started. Everybody was tense after that.


You are a shy person. How did you overcome your shyness on the show?


It was the Indian Idol stage that gave me exposure.

I can talk now because of the confidence I got during the show.


When did you realise that your smile made you a ladykiller?


Shilpa Shetty pointed this out this to me.

I always felt my smile was okay, but now it has become my identity.


What is the best compliment you have got so far?


When I sung the patriotic song, Kar chale hum fida, and Farahji (Khan, director and Idol judge) told me she felt like crying. It was the best compliment I have got so far.


Any endorsement offers yet?


No.

But I hope they come!


What was going on in your mind when they were about to announce the winner?


There was too much tension and they (hosts Aman Varma and Mini Mathur) were doing time pass and not telling us.

Amit (Sana) and I were getting so impatient!


Who was your favourite in the show's last 11?


I think all of us in the last 11 were good.

Anyone of us could have come into the final round.

Aditi Paul and Rahul Saxena were my favourites.

Is it true you didn't get time to interact with your friends after you went home?


Yes, but they are very understanding.

They know I am there and will be there for them always.


Are you interested in politics?


No.


The Shiv Sena, we hear, is highlighting you as 'their boy' since you are a Maharashtrian. Is it true?


No. If Amit had won, local politicians (in Chhattisgarh, where Amit Sana lives) would have backed him.

If a Kolkata girl (Aditi Paul) had won, the local people there would have supported her.

So, I don't see this this way.

FAME GURUKUL

LAST FOUR
As Sony's hit reality show Fame Gurukul chugs to its grand finale, the four remaining contestants wonder when it's their turn to leave. At 8pm tonight, one of them will be dropped, and the competition will tighten among the three remaining participants.

While Arpita is the most talented of the lot -- she's the only participant trained in classical music -- the 23-year-old has the slimmest chances of getting to the next stage.

A graduate with Economics honours from Delhi University, Arpita has changed a lot since I last saw her. She has become extremely confident. All dolled up for her performance, she also looks very beautiful.

Fame Gurukul: Behind the scenes

Arpita's father is a retired Air Force officer. He now gives management lectures at different institutions. Her mother is a music teacher and was her first guru. Arpita is the youngest of their three daughters.

The Delhi girl has now shifted to Mumbai and has been living in suburban Goregaon with her mother for the last two years. When asked what she has been doing, she replies, "I have been looking for work. I am also learning music from Anant Vaidynathanji."

After she got through the Fame Gurukul auditions, her parents were very supportive. "That is why I'm here. Although we knew this was a risky line (of work) and I would have to struggle, they agreed immediately. They have always been supportive of my singing."


Arpita thinks she does have it in her to make it to the Fame Jodi. "Apart from me, it could be either Rex or Qazi because they are very popular. I've bonded best with Rex because he's a happy-go-lucky person. He really cheers you up. I see Rex as my jodi."

Among the jugdes, Javed Akhtar, Shankar Mahadevan and Kay Kay, Arpita prefers the latter. "Kay Kay is very sweet. The comments he gives are very apt and well said. That's what I like most."

What next after Fame Gurukul? "This competition has given us plenty of exposure. To be in the top four itself is a big thing. We've been on television for 14 weeks now, and the response is immense. When we go out, people recognise us. If I don't make it, I will just work hard. I am sure I will start getting more work from the kind of exposure I've got. So we're not losing out at all."

INDIAN IDOL AUDITION

HELLO FRIENDS ,

AUDITION IN DELHI WILL BE HELD ON 14 ,15TH SEPTEMBER AT MAJOR DYANCHAND STADIUM.IF U HAVE REGISTRATION NUMBER U CAN GO THERE .

AMAN VERMA AND MINI WILL BE HOST OF INDIAN IDOL 2

Along with Verma, co-host Mini Mathur played an important role in making Indian Idol a success.

Says she “It is too early to speculate on Indian Idol’s new season. I cannot confirm or deny my being a part of the show.” However, sources claim that it is most likely that Mathur will be back on Idol.