Dec 24, 2005 05:27 AM
3644 Views
(Updated Dec 24, 2005 05:30 AM)
The Show
The Indian version of Pop Idol; the second series. Also known as “Draamebaazon ki Reality; The Sequel”. Named so because it is full of the most hilarious/ amazing/ intriguing characters that ever roamed the sets of Sony Entertainment Television India. Characters...I mean, people whose personalities would never have come up in the mind of any serial script-writer. All the drama and comedy of daily soaps rolled up into a reality(mere reality mein aise log kyun nahi milte?) TV show!
Drama apart, the first time this show ran it did find a number of very talented singers – some who made it big, and some who didn’t. Abhijeet Saavant was the last person I thought would win. The first time I saw him perform I ended up feeling sorry for him- the some-what shy and reserved guy dressed up in a red shirt who most probably would get out in the next round. Just goes to show what an elusive thing destiny is!
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The Elimination Process…
Auditions took place in 4 major cities – Mumbai, Dehli, Kolkata and Lucknow. In those places we met a lot of weird and wonderful people. A boy dressed up as a girl, squawking with a lamp in his hand. A girl crooning in a crazy voice with equally crazy dance steps, spinning around and slapping her thighs (I swear she had a mental problem). Another guy wearing a red wig, singing folk songs. Some random “singing” aashiq banaayaaa, which you had to hear to get the joke. And a whole lot of cartoons jumping around all over the place, causing me to almost choke on the water I was drinking because I couldn’t control my laughter.
Those who passed the initial auditions were called to Mumbai, the centre of all things rich and famous. Here the Theatre Rounds took place, where the contestants were narrowed down to just 28. These were then put into 4 groups of 7 – 2 of guys and 2 of girls. They are currently performing in the Piano Rounds, where 3 from each group will by chosen by the audience to go forth to the finals!
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The Judges
Presenting…
Anu Malik::: the notorious music director, famous (or infamous) for his lack of sympathy towards contestants and tactless insulting. Lets not go into too much detail about whose foot steps he’s trying to follow… Although he does have an art of reciting really good shaayris on the spot.
Sonu Nigam::: An amazing singer, the judge who spot all the mistakes on the sur and taal and everything else perfectionist singers look out for. Gosh, I think even dogs get scared to bark in front of him, lest he goes and corrects their pitch! :S He hardly ever agrees with Anuji on anything or anyone; but a guess that’s why they’ve been put on the panel together.
Farah Khan::: Choreographer extraordinaire, and now a director as well! People often complain that she has no reason to be a judge of this show, since she neither sings nor composes. But she judges the presentation and performance aspects of the contestants. Her views are like a mid-way point between those of Anu and Sonu (what sweet names :P). Wow, I’m regurgitating my history essay on the Paris Peace Conference of 1919 (who thought it would come into such a use, Chandarz?)! And she definitely laughs the loudest at Anu’s “jokes”.
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The Hosts…
Aman Verma:: He comes across as very friendly, being a host to many shows before. No comment on some of those bright printed shirts he wears! Red trousers?! He is a really good host though. That’s when he gets a chance to speak…most of the time Mini keeps cutting him off… :P
Mini Mathur:: I love all her outfits. And she is a good host too! Although I wouldn’t call the most sympathetic. Imagine just losing and being in tears, then coming out of the audition hall and having no one to hug but this Barbie doll wearing lots of perfume and jewellery…
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The contestants
To name a few of the most memorable ones…
Ritu:: AKA the “main gareeb ladki hoon, Sir” girl ( names, courtesy of my mummy dearest). The judges had great fun tantalizing her and calling her Pinky. She cried a lot. She pleaded a lot. And she loved Sonu a lot. Yet she still got out, due to lack of audience support!
Neha:: AKA Miss Jai Mata Di! I think she is a brilliant performer, has loads of confidence, and a lot of faith in her Mata Rani. Although her voice is not the conventional high-pitch sugar sweet one of classical singers, I’m sure she will go far. It all depends on who the public (ie. We. The people) vote for.
Sagar:: “a charmer”, said Farah. Although that image of him sort of faded in my mind after he cried during the results of the piano round! Anu teased him a lot with another contestant called Abha, and I will always remember that song he sang to him “Do me a favour Sagar Baba”. But unfortunately pyaar ki kaliyan khilne se pehle hi, Abha had to say alvida as she got out.
Dilpreet:: She had a noble aim to use the winning money for- opening a centre for animals. She looked pretty and sang well. But sadly, she didn’t get enough votes! You had to see the whole “shock-faint-crying-fits” she had when the last finalist was declared (it wasn’t her, as you may have realised). True Filmi style. Actually, it was better.
Monali:: Agreed, she has a beautiful voice, but there’s something about her that I don’t really like. Apparently she’s everyone’s favourite, as she got the most votes from the audience! Well, at least she can sing… :S
Karunya:: They say he looks a lot like Abhishek Bachchan. And his last performance had Sonu Nigam wowed. That must say something about him!
And finally…
I think this show is much much better than Fame Gurukul, lots of fun to watch. Just so long as the right people get chosen! So please please vote for someone decent and deserving to be your agla Indian Idol!!!
Please RRC (will be a great xmas present)!
Wishing you all a very very very Merry, Memorable and Masti-bhari Christmas!
