“Today people recognize us even abroad”- Rakesh Maini

Indian Idol does change people’s life. Beginners are nurtured and turned professionals on this stage. Common men are turned famous on this stage.

Rakesh Maini, Season 5 contestant, spoke about how his life changed after Indian Idol.

“I used to stay in a small colony in Agra before Indian Idol happened to me. People did not even now that I existed in the colony. But today it is not just Agra, but wherever I go, be it abroad, people recognize me. We are doing shows throughout the country, and we are still doing shows in different cities. We still have to do more shows and we are doing playback as well. Life has become really nice because of Indian Idol. Because of the show, we have got a lot of opportunities.”
 
Life is all set to change for our Top 3 contestants as it is the Finale week of the show.

Watch the life changing moment this week on Indian Idol 6.

Five years from now, where will they be?

Meiyang Chang is an actor and anchor today; Prashant is singer and actor; Abhijeet Sawant is a playback singer. They have achieved so much after Indian Idol. Where do you think season 6 contestants would be, five years from now?

When we asked them, here is what they said.

“Five years from now, I just hope to see myself with three to four hit songs in the industry, have a good car and a house. I would want to see myself singing in sur and also want people to say that Vipul is a versatile singer”, Vipul shared.

Devendra said, “I see myself as a successful playback singer five years from now. Rest we will wait and see what happens after five years.”

“I want to see myself as a successful playback singer, I really have no idea where will be five years from now. It all depends on the hard work and dedication that I will put in. The result will all depends on how much I work.  Whatever happens, will happen for good”, expressed Amit.

Though we do not know where will they be, it is always interesting to wait and watch what happens.

Do not forget to watch the Top 3 contestants on Indian Idol 6 Finale week only on Sony Entertainment Television.

Vipul and Devendra share a wish..

Every contestant of Indian Idol 6 has their unique singing quality which the others do not have. They are born with that quality which cannot be replicated.
We asked Vipul and Devendra whether they would like to have any of the quality they wish to have from their competitors.

Vipul expressed, “I think Poorvi has a very distinctive style of singing. She has a very flawless western singing which I wish I could learn as well. I think it could have added more to my singing.”“Vipul bhaiyya has a lot of confidence level and he does not have stage fear at all. Whatever sur he puts, he puts it right which I think I need to learn from him. Whenever I sing, I wish to have that confidence level on stage”, Devendra expressed.


Well, all are in for their biggest challenge next week as it is Grand Finale. Do not forget to watch Indian Idol 6 Grand Finale on September 1st only on Sony Entertainment Television.

Our favourite genre - Top 3 speaks

Indian Idol is a stage whereon you cannot just stick on to your comfort zone. It is a stage where versatility and best performances matter the most. And our Top 3 contestants showcased their versatility on this stage in every galas they performed.

But what are their personal favourite genres? In a small chat, we asked our Top 3 contestants, Vipul Mehta, Amit Kumar and Devendra Pal, about their favourite genre.

Devendra shared, “I like more of Sufi and Classical, and I would like to sing more of that. I am trained in classical and would like to learn more in that.”
“I like every genre and I can’t pick one genre I like. Ever since I had come here, I have tried different genres and the judges have also commented that I am a versatile singer. I just hope that I do justice to all the songs I select. Apart from that, my favourite singer is Sukhwinder Singh and his style inspires me a lot “, Vipul spoke.
Amit shared, “I like singing a lot of Sufi songs and my favourite singer in this genre is Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. I also like the songs composed by Master Salim.”

Watch the Top 3 with popular Bollywood singers tonight at 8:30 pm only on Indian Idol 6.

“We will create memories on Indian Idol 6″- Rakesh Maini

Rakesh Maini was tagged as the best romantic singer on Indian Idol 5. After two years, audience saw Rakesh performing again, but this time, supporting Devendra Pal.

Rakesh shared with us his experience being back on the stage again, “After two years, we have got the opportunity again to sing on the stage of Indian Idol and we all are together again. I have the same feeling today. The studio reminded me my days in Indian Idol 5 and the stuffs we did when we were the contestants.  Shivam, Bhoomi, Swaroop and I were discussing about how our stage was, and also about the judges. Asha Ji had come for one episode during our season and today we are very happy to perform in front of her again. Whatever time we are getting here we are making the best use of it. We are trying to relive the memories of Indian idol 5 and today we will create memorable moments on Indian Idol 6.”
 

Do not forget to catch tonight’s episode of Indian Idol 6 only on Sony Entertainment Television.

Ritika Raj eliminated

When Ritika Raj reached the Top 5 in Indian Idol 6, she became the youngest contender, the stage ever had. She was lovingly called the Golu of the show. It was shocking when her name was announced as the next evict from the show last night.

Ritika Raj was shown doors last night on Indian Idol 6.

After the elimination, Ritika spoke, “I am happy that I am leaving at this point of the show. I am extremely happy that I reached the top 5. I had the best time on the show and meeting Lata Mangeshkar Ji is the most memorable moment that I have from here. My mom has been the greatest support throughout because, she was the one inspired me to take part in Indian Idol. Now that I am leaving, I will finish my studies and will come back to Mumbai for higher studies and music.”
 

“I wish and I hope either Vipul bhaiyya or Devendra wins the show”, she added.

With Ritika’s exit we are left with Top 4 contestants on Indian Idol; Vipul Mehta, Amit Kumar, Devendra Pal and Poorvi Koutish.

Do not forget to watch the upcoming episodes of Indian Idol 6 to know the much awaited Top 3 names only on Sony Entertainment Television.

“Mini’s comeback and Ashaji are major changes this season”- Hussain

Hussain joined the Indian Idol family from season 3. It has been nearly five years that he has been attached to the show.

In a candid chat, Hussain shared about the main changes he has seen on Season 6 when compared to Season 3.

Hussain spoke, “One of the main differences this season is that Mini is back. Another significant difference is the presence of Asha Ji on the show. It really feels good listening to her. I think the experience that she has in music is so tremendous that hardly anyone has that today. Only a few people from our industry have such experience. This season the viewers will get to see some valuable suggestions from Asha Ji and will get to know her approach to songs and singers. It is absolutely fabulous to have her on the show.”
 
As rightly said by Hussain, Indian Idol stage, this season, is graced by Asha Ji’s lively appearance . Do not forget to watch her every week on Indian Idol 6 only on Sony Entertainment Television.

“The contestants have come into the zone of sur”- Anand Sharma

Being on Indian Idol is not really a cake walk. The contestants are taken through regular practice and hectic rehearsals so that they come out of their comfort zone and prepare themselves for the battle of playback singing.

Anand Sharma shared with us about the training sessions of the contestants. He shared, “Initially, when we had started training, we had made the habit of morning riyaaz. Everyone used to get up early and by 7, we are ready for practice with the tanpura. After regular practice, the contestants have come into the zone of sur and they have got streamlined. Later they started picking up songs; the fine points of the songs and its expressions, and the language of the composition. Just like we have a full stop or a comma in our language, tunes also have its features which the music directors use when they compose their songs. It is very important to pick up those fine aspects of the songs. Along the line, they are taught all these points. Apart from this, they are also taught to work on their strong and weak points so that they can overcome the situations and pick up songs in less amount of time. These are some of the aspects we try to guide them through.”

Vocal trainers, Anand sir and Raju sir, work day and night with the contestants to create them for flawless performances on stage.

Watch the Top 5 contestants on Indian Idol 6 this week on Sony Entertainment Television.

Slam Book of Mini Mathur

                            

What annoys me the most: Incompetence.

I get complimented most about: My ability to connect with people.

I get turned on by: Good music, good food, good lighting, great intelligence and fantastic humour.

A word or phrase I often use: ‘No Way’!

A bad habit: I am really very impatient and I get angry very fast and I don’t think about what I say.

A secret of mine: Are you crazy. I am not going to tell that. I am a great secret keeper and that’s why I have friends.

The year I faced the camera: My very first ad for a Ray Ban in 1995.

Interests: I am interested in Politics, Science Fiction.

If not an entertainer, I would be: Many years back, I would have been a doctor because I had got into a medical college actually. But then I decided to study literature. But otherwise, I would have been in advertising.

A scar I have from childhood: I do have a scar on my forehead which happened because of my brother. We were playing catch-catch with stones and it hit my head. I have two scars which have become a part of my life now.

My most prized possession: My kids.

Brand conscious or pick the one I see first: It is a mix of both. I like brands for what they do for me, but I do not like brands because they are brands.

Slam Book of Hussain Kuwajerwala…

My first job and first pay: In a departmental store where I was paid Rs 900 a month.

What annoys me the most: When you deserve something and when you need it badly, pyaar mohabbat se koi sunta hi nahi hain. It is then, when you feel ‘why’???  Why do you have to repeatedly ask and that too in a manner which you do not like?

I get complimented most about: Currently, I get complimented most about my show, Zangoora, and also about my abs.

I get turned on by: Simplicity

A word or phrase I often use: I wish I could say you that…

A secret of mine: After being in the industry for so long, I do not think there are any secrets left in my life. Years back there was a hush-hush about who my girl friend was, but that is also cleared.  I am an open book now.

The year I faced the camera: I am not sure, I think it was 1998.

Interests: Most of my interests and hobbies have become a part and parcel of my profession. In fact, I can give you a list of what does not interest me, like Real Estate and Politics. I am very bad in social networking and I do not even have a Facebook account.

If not an actor/host I would be: Thank God I am one, because, I really do not know what I would have been if not an actor. In fact, even today I tell my mother, aapka beta actor nahin banta toh pata nahi kya karta.

A scar I have from childhood: No yaar! I was never mischievous. I was a very seedha saadha guy, who used to go to school with his school bag with no complaints. I was very boring as a child and not notorious at all.

My most prized possession: The state of happiness and stability that I am in today.

Brand conscious or pick the one you see first: I am not at all brand conscious. I do not wear brands at all and I do not believe in brands. Even when I wear a watch, ultimately woh time hi dikhata hain. But if I can afford a brand and if it’s not easily available anywhere else, I would like to buy it. If you have maintained yourself, then trust me, anything will look good on you.

“Pritam supported me a lot”- Monali Thakur

Monali Thakur is one such example who proved that getting eliminated from Indian Idol cannot stop you from becoming a playback singer. After Indian Idol, Monali’s voice became a sensation after the success of the popular song Zara Zara Touch Me composed by Pritam Chakraborty.

In a small chat, Monali spoke about her experience working with the popular music composer of Bollywood.

“Pritam was the first person whom I met after I came to Mumbai after Indian Idol. He supported me so nicely and I got to experience Bollywood recording for the first time. I remember, Sunidhi was recording for Pritam when I had gone to his studio. That’s when I saw a Bollywood song being recorded inside a studio because I had no idea how recording happened in Mumbai. Pritam has been really an amazing person to me and it has been amazing working with him“, Monali shared.
Whose fortune is going to change next?

Do not forget to watch all the upcoming episodes of Indian Idol 6 only on Sony Entertainment Television.

Anu Malik on his two popular shows on Sony Entertainment Television…

  

Composer-judge Anu Malik has been part of two popular shows of Sony Entertainment Television, since its start; Indian Idol and Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega.  

When asked about his role in both of the shows, Anu Malik shared, “Indian Idol is a search for singing talents and I am a completely different person on the show who looks into sur and taal. But on Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega, Farah and I lose our minds completely wherein we are total entertainers.  I think the public wait for both the shows because; they have Anu Malik in them.”
 
Catch Anu Malik along with Salim and Sunidhi on Indian Idol 6 this week.

Raju Singh shares his views about Amit Kumar

Amit Kumar has always surprised the judges and the viewers with his loud and dhamaakedar performances. His voice has always stood out for its power packed quality. Vocal trainer Raju Singh shared his views about training Amit.

“Amit comes from Punjab and he has trained himself in that kind of a singing. He has that chak de fatte waali baat. But at the same time, he has to understand that every song cannot be sung that way. So the moment we give him a different song, he is under a test”, shared Raju Ji.

With competition getting more fierce contestants are in the run to show their versatility.

Do not forget to watch Amit on Indian Idol 6 every week only on Sony Entertainment Television.

Slam Book of Hussain Kuwajerwala…

My Birthday : 12 October 1977
My Sun Sign: Libra
My Nickname: My friends call me Hassi, which was actually kept by my father-in-law.
My hobbies: Working out was, once upon a time, a hobby for me, but today it has become a part of my profession. Apart from that, I have the very cliched hobbies like playing badminton, listening to music and watching films. All my hobbies are related to my profession now; including dance.
Favourite movies: Life is Beautiful and all the other classics like Sholay.
Favourite outfit: Anything which is comfortable, like denim and T-shirts.
Favourite holiday destination: New Zealand, because my wife and I had the best of our days there and especially because it was our honeymoon.
Favourite actors: I think every actor will refer to Mr Bachchan, and I am nothing different.
My heart dances with joy at the thought of: Whenever I am happy, I feel like dancing. Be it a new project or a good film, or anything that makes me happy.
I look back to the day when: I started my career, and it gets me the feeling ‘Oh God! 12 years. Too long.’
A song I can’t resist to groove on: I cannot name just one. I like all the old numbers of Mr Bachchan like apni toh jaise taise.
Menu I would binge on if I give diet a miss: Ice Creams of Butter Pecan flavor.
One thing I would like to change about myself: Mr Bachchan had once said that ‘zindagi mein aage badhne ke liye aapko ‘na’ bolna padtha hain’, and that’s exactly what I cannot do. It is very difficult for me to say ‘no’ to anyone for anything. Also, I would like to start reading a lot and play more sports.
Any Phobia: I just want to see my family happy, and the very thought of losing them, scares me a lot.
I miss: My dad.