Indian Idol 4 Final Gala Round before Indian Idol Final

Tonight ie on 20 february is Indian Idol 4 Final Gala Round. Special guest for the occasion are Abhishek Bacchan and Sonam Kapoor and they are here as Delhi-6 has finally been released and maybe they want to promote it after release. As we know the music of Delhi-6 was also released on the sets of Indian Idol.

The first candidate to come on stage was Torsha Sarkar.

She sang :- Do Lafjo ki hai Kahani and Raat Baki Baat Baki got all greens. In fact Javed Saab commented that this was one of the finest performance on this stage till now.

Next turn was of Kapil Thapa and he sang

Yeh Hawaein Julfon mein teri.
Pyar mein dil pe maar de goli


Sourabhee sang

Tere mere milan ki ye naina
Krazy Kiya Re

Overall the performances were ok and not that great. Also it wasn't looking like Indian Idol but AD Idol with so much time spent on displaying advertisements.

The episode of 20th february of Indian Idol 4 is the final Gala round and there will be one final performance on 27th february

Indian Idol 4 Elimination on 31 January for Episode aired on 30th January

Today is yet another Indian Idol 4 Elimination round.  The episode was aired yesterday on 30th January and today is the elimination round.  Right now the remaining contestants are 6 in numbers and one of them will be eliminated today.  My hunch is that today Torsha Sarkar will be eliminated.  I am thinking Kapil Thapa will be winning the Indian Idol this time around. 

The special guest on this episode is Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Khemu.

Sourabhee is declared safe.

Remo is also declared safe.

Kapil is also declared safe.

Rajdeep is also safe.

So bhavya and torsha are in bottom 2.

Damn Bhavya is eliminated. I still can't believe this that bhavya pandit has been eliminated on 31st january.  

Yes Yes. My hunch was wrong once again. I thought it will be torsha this time but alas bhavya is gone out of Indian Idol 4.  So it is true that Bhavya has been eliminated.  After the result was announced , Anu Malik apparently became quite angry on the elimination of Bhavya. As bhavya was a very favourable contestant of Anu Malik.  This time the result of Indian Idol 4 Elimination is really shocking. 

Lovely Tullika Ganguly is out of Indian Idol 4

Tullika Ganguly, the spunky girl (like Ankita in the last season of Indian Idol) was expected to go far was sadly eliminated on Saturday night. She had the talent, the looks and the pizzazz to make it to the top but that was not to be. She took the elimination in her stride but backstage the tears filled up. Unfortunately her last performance left a lot to be desired and perhaps resulted in a lack of votes. "I don't think that one performance could have done that. There are so many male contestants who are not consistent in their performances yet they are still there," she pointed out Tulika with a lump in her throat.

The judges are still upset with the loss of a star performer like Ananya Mishra last week. Now with yet another performer like Tullika's exit, they are afraid that Indian Idol is losing its female contestants week after week. Tullika's ardent plea to the viewers is, "Please vote for the talented ones on the show. According to me they are Prasenjit, Rajdeep and Torsha."

Is Bhavya Pandit attracting undue favour in Indian Idol 4

According to report here :- http://whatiexpect.in/indian-idol-4/bhavya-pandit-attracting-undue-favour-or-its-just-rigging-at-indian-idol-4.html

What started in yesterday's Episode December 6 of Indian Idol 4 as first elimination of Indian idol 4 Gala Round ended up in headache for Anu Mallik since his much loved girl ended up in bottom three that too with ZERO humility and full on Frustration. The girl Bhavya Pandit for sure is a powerhouse looks so too but sweetie understand you are not on the stage to anger out anxiety of being in bottom but to realize that there is something in you that is making the audience - anti you. That "anti you" factor may just be Mr. Mallik.

This makes me ask a question - "what happened at the end moment weren't there suppose to be 2 exits in first elimination of Indian idol 4 Gala Round? ". Will I be wrong to point out that Mr Mallik upon finding his favorite girl in bottom three changed the plans and made sure that she remains in the contest? What if the reality is that she was in bottom two but Mr mallik wanting to save her had to save Mohit Lalwani too. Is this not manipulation then what?

Say what ever and think as you wish but the one enjoying the hot baked cake is Mohit. But this callous and intruding behavior to save favorite contestant is doing no good to the talented participants and not even to the audience who have already lost cute gems like Ananya Mishra.

Indian Idol 4th 1st Gala Round Elimination

From http://indian-idol.blogspot.com

Ananya Mishra is the first to bid farewell to the gala stage

Elimination nights are usually filled with tension and tears, but the contestants were not willing to let the first elimination of the galas be all about worry. They started things off with a fiery performance of their hit single, Yeh world humara hai. And what a performance it was. It had the audience and the judges on their feet, applauding.

But things soon settled down as Hussain and Chang got down to business. They announced that Tulika and Mohit were in the danger zone.

And the bottom six are…

But the hosts were not in a hurry to announce who the other four were who would join Tulika and Mohit. Instead, they asked the contestants to choose for themselves where they thought they ought to be placed—in the danger zone or the safe zone.

To everyone’s surprise, except for Sourabhee and Prasenjit, everyone else opted for the safe zone. But were all the contestants who thought they were safe actually safe? Only time would tell. When asked why, despite bad performances and comments, Priyanka and Kuldeep had chose the safe zone, they said that had listened to their hearts and were confident they would be voted safe by the janta. Will their instincts betray them?

Whom will Lady Luck favour?

Hussain and Chang did away with too much build up of tension and declared that Torsha, Rajdeep, Prasenjit, Sourabhee, Kapil, Remo, Priyanka and Bhanu were safe in quick succession. Which left Kuldeep, Bhavya, Ananya and Shini in the bottom six.

Bhavya is frustrated

She may have comeback with a bang, but this talented singer is upset and frustrated that the audience does not seem to appreciate her singing. “It looks like the janta never really liked me,” she said, with tears in her voice. “Good singing and judges’ comments don’t help. I’ve tried everything and yet I don’t get the votes.” And then she voiced what’s been troubling her all along. “There are good singers here [in the bottom sing] and all the singers over there [the safe zone] are not all good.”

But her tears were premature because Bhavya was announced safe. And she was asked to take Kuldeep along with her, who was also safe. Shini didn’t have long to wait either before she was given the green signal to the safe zone. That left Mohit and Ananya in danger.

A shocking elimination

In a surprise move, the judges decided not to let two contestants be eliminated at one shot as they had promised in the last round of the Pianos. Instead, only one would have to pack his or her bags and leave. Unfortunately, that person was Ananya. The talented singer could not hold back her tears. “I was so sure that I would be safe. My first gala performance was one of the best,” she said. “I will miss everyone deeply”

The judges were unanimous in their opinion that the janta had made a very big mistake. “Ananya is the symbol of today’s contemporary girl. She is such a great combination of singing and performance, another like her will be very difficult to find,” said Javedji. Sonali said, “She has a fabulous personality, a fabulous voice and she is a fabulous performer. I’m so sorry to have lost you on this show.” “The country has made a huge mistake and they will realise only later the gravity of their mistake,” said Kailash. Annu had the last word. “The janta will end up with an Indian Idol that they don’t want if they continue voting out such good talents,” he said.

Anaya’s swan song

A teary-eyed Ananya sang Hum dil de chuke sanam for the last time on the gala stage. Brave though she was, she could not continue beyond a point, especially when her friends came on stage to support her. Now, it’s a lonely walk for her out of the studio and back to her life in her home town. We will miss you, Ananya.

Indian Idol 4 to be hijacked by Nepal Voters

KATHMANDU: When the third edition of Indian Idol 3 ended last year with Prashant Tamang beating his rival Amit Paul, the victory was due to the
overwhelming votes that the Darjeeling boy received. Contributing generously to the votes were Tamang’s fans from Nepal who collected funds to send SMSes in his support, at times crossing over into India to vote for their favourite.

Though at least two of the judges – Alisha Chinoy and Javed Akhtar – felt Paul was the better singer, they both had to agree that the final decision was left to the voice of the people.

This year, as Indian Idol 4 is in full swing, is the public voice from Nepal out to swamp the Indian voice?

For the first time in the history of the contest, a mobile telephone company from Nepal has tied up with a publishing company to enable people from Nepal to vote directly from Nepal.

“When Prashant Tamang became the Indian Idol last year ... the people of Nepal had a big hand in Prashant’s win,” announced the local Himalayan Times daily Friday whose publishers International Media Network Nepal Private Ltd has started a scheme with Mero Mobile, Nepal’s sole private mobile phone services provider that was promoted three years ago by deposed king Gyanendra’s son-in-law, to enable direct SMS voting from Nepal.

“This year, Nepali fans of Indian Idol need not go to all this trouble to vote for the next Indian Idol,” the announcement said, referring to the border-crossings. Instead, those wanting to vote can use a Mero Mobile number from Nepal 12 hours daily from Friday to Saturday.

Last year, the enterprising pair had conducted a trial run, which consisted of asking people to predict the winner and win prizes. The direct vote offer comes following the fan frenzy created by Prashant. This year too, there is a contender of Nepali origin among the 14 finalists – Kapil Thapa, the army man from Dehra Dun, and the obvious strategy is to bank on the fan following he might arouse in Nepal.

The question is, can or should the Indian Idol be decided by Nepal? Would America accept the results if Nepalis managed to vote from Nepal or raised funds to abet a Nepali-origin contestant’s victory in American Idols? For that matter, would Nepalis accept it peaceably if Indians vote during the Nepali editions of the Idol in Nepal and push the winner they want?

SMS voting is a bad yardstick due to its sheer anonymity. Perhaps it is time the organisers of Indian Idol give it some thought and lay down guidelines.

Source :- TOI

Indian Idol 4 contestants during Children's Day

On the occasion of Children’s Day, contestants of Indian Idol met the BECC street kids, and what followed was great fun and leg pulling!!

The gang of Indian idol 4 - Torsha, Ananya, Remo, Sourabhee, Bhanu, Prosenjit, Tullika, Shini and Rajdeep brought in Children’s Day celebrating music at BECC. The kids wanted to celebrate Children’s Day in a unique manner and what better way than to spend it in the company of adorable children… and to do that they headed to BECC, Bandra.

The contestants were greeted with a warm welcome from all the children who cheered and clapped at their entry. The kids instantly recognized a few of the Indian Idol contestants and said they regularly watched the show. So our smart contestants decided to throw a googly just to check their Indian Idol quotient - Bhanu Pratap asked the kids his name, and they all screamed in unison… Ishant Sharmaaaaa. Well if Bhanu became Ishant Sharma, then Remo was no less… became ‘chota chattri’. The kids sure made a few changes in all their nicknames but everyone seemed to have enjoyed all the fun and leg pulling!

The contestants were surprised to see the young kids groove, sing songs and mimic a few bollywood stars without any inhibitions; we heard them discuss that the next Indian Idol audition should be definitely held here to pick this talent. All the contestants enjoyed the experience of brightening someone else’s life and it was truly a Happy Children’s Day for them…

Three Cheers to all!

Indian Idol 4 contestants in Teach India initiative

After winning accolades in the Indian television industry with its successful run of three seasons, Indian Idol, the hugely popular adaptation of the blockbuster ‘Pop Idol’ format and the iconic singing reality show, took a leap this year in the fourth season by participating in the TEACH INDIA initiative. Teach India is a social initiative that brings together children in need of education and people who can contribute in teaching them.

While the show continues to enthrall the viewers across the country, it also addresses the aspirations of "Young India" this season. It is all about friendship , desire to stand out , spontaneity , personality , confidence , giving back to the society and more importantly ‘a need to belong’ these are captured in the tag line ‘ Yeh Style , Yeh Music
, Yeh World Humara Hai’ . Keeping their word of giving back to the society, the Indian Idol contestants visited Vatsalya, an NGO associated with the Teach India to share the knowledge and understating of music with the kids. The contestants – Mohit Lalwani, Kapil Thapa, Prasenjit Kosembi, Kuldeep Singh, Bhavya Pandit, Priyanka Negi along with their music teacher Mr. Vaidyanathan and the charming host Chang discussed music and entertained the kids with their singing and dancing. The kids at Vatsalya were familiar with the names of the contestants and followed the show regularly on Sony. They infact promised the contestants to learn music and take it up ahead as a career someday. Over all it was an overwhelming experience for the Indian Idol contestants to see their fan following and they promised to continue to visit the place and continue to be part of the initiative of spreading the knowledge of music. Teach India has brought together tens of thousands of volunteers with children in the effort to support their education. It is now the largest programme of its kind anywhere in the world.

A wise man once said "No one person has to do it all but if each one of us follow our heart and our own inclinations we will find the small things that we can do to make a difference and a create a healthy
environment." Indian Idol and Sony Entertainment Television strongly believes and supports this thought! & is therefore happy to participate in the Teach India initiative to help underprivileged kids.

Mickey Mehta wants to transform Indian Idol Contestants

Interview by: Surya Praphulla Kumar
Source: Indian Idol Official Website

A lean, composed man with a quiet manner, Mickey Mehta seems to embody the title he is known by—India’s biggest holistic health and fitness guru. For 24 years, he has been revolutionising the concept of wellness and redefining holistic health. His innovative ideas are based on Vedic philosophies and the therapies of Tao and Zen among others.

And he is the man who is behind keeping the Top 14 grounded, unified, healthy and fit. We talked to the guru on the what, how and why.

When you agreed to guide the Indian Idol contestants, what action plan did you have in mind?

We thought that just doing weight loss and trying to get them fit would be a very narrow idea. We wanted to do something very integrated—something that would primarily transform personalities on a broad-based understanding, keeping in mind that every contestant should have a better attitude.

Making a winner with a difference was the mandate. They needed to be transformed completely—in terms of personality, their physical look, confidence, attitude, self esteem and thought process.

So how did you go about it?

We started off with giving them nutritional guidance. We made them understand what foods would be best suited for such a programme—what would help them cleanse impurities, to purify, to invigorate, to revitalise and to fortify.

We also explained how the right food would influence the mind. You see, foods like fruits and sprouts influence the thought process and attitude. We showed them how to combat stress through food, how to get liberated energy through food. We prescribed a satvic diet to them.

What is their fitness regime?

They have gruelling 18-hour schedules every day. So they should be absolutely fit so that they can go through the grind and still remain alert, fresh and be rearing to go the next morning. So we got them to do a lot of yoga, free hand cardio vascular, pilates and strength training. We wanted to ensure that their body was strong so that they would not succumb to illness or stress. Our regime gave them more resistance, made them more tenacious and more perseverant.

We also did a lot of breathing exercises and pranayam. And, along with this, we also focused on intonation—improvement of throat quality and voice quality. This helps them to modulate better, to pitch better, get a higher octave and to improve lung power through deep oxygenation. This was a primary focus keeping in mind their very specific need as singers.

How else were you able to help them with your holistic approach?

I did a lot of group meditation with them, to help inculcate the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood, to help them create a support system—so that one did not pull down the other.

I told them that they were not competing with the idea of killing the competition; they were contesting—trying to better their own talents. A true artist never gets aggressive in competition. A true artist improves, contests and competes with himself or herself. Being healthy is being sporting, happy, joyful and performing well—it’s not just being fit.

So I’ve tried to make them have a sporting attitude, to do away with the fear of losing and the greed of winning, because both will take away from the competition.

Was meditation a part of their routine?

Yes, I practiced the subtle sciences with them. We did candlelight meditation, which ignites a flame in you. It brings about awareness, puts you in touch with your jubilant self—which wants to conquer and to out perform. This meditation fills them with radiance and glory. And it also helps them not to feel homesick. (Smiles) It helps to bring them collectively together.

I also did aromatherapy meditation with them—where you inhale the aroma of flowers and fruits. This helps to transform every impulse.

Could you tell us a little more about your concept, health beyond fitness?

Fitness has a very limited spectrum. The bandwidth of fitness is simply strength, stamina, agility, tone and flexibility. But when you look at health it is energy, stability, high immunity, balance, equilibrium, sense of being, belonging, commitment and responsibility.

Health is also a heightened amount of immunity, heightened perceptions, being able to sleep well, work well, having a clear focus in life, a beautiful thought process, and conscious and righteous action. Health is organic soundness, it is organic unity.

That is why my approach is multi-pronged. We approach health through various areas of life like eating appropriate—the appropriate type of food at the appropriate time and in appropriate quantities. We tell people to bask in the sunlight, in the moonlight—to be in nature as much as possible, to absorb the intelligence of nature—so that you are able to soothe yourself, to distress, to find your centre and your being. So that you can come alive once again.

You were also responsible for their grooming.

I talked to them about etiquette, posture, body language, mannerisms and attitude. Your body language says a lot about you, so I advised them not to look lost or puzzled, to communicate through their body and their eyes, to never stand or sit sloppily, to be alert and upright always.

I have seen my words have a positive effect, too. Especially in Torsha. She was very uncommunicative and her face never showed emotions when she first came on the show. Now she is more expressive, outgoing and confident.

Is there anything specific that you hope the contestants will take back from their experiences with you?

It’s not only with me that they have learned things. They will learn and take away a lot throughout the tenure of Indian Idol. They are in the midst of a mêlée of gurus. Even when they are being judged, they are learning something. It''s not like learning happens just when somebody teaches—learning happens as a by-product of being with somebody. You just keep absorbing and assimilating.

Apart from the set curriculum, it just so happens that our wisdom and experience are also naturally shared with them. It has happened in my interactions with them, too. I feel each contestant will go back a winner, with a lot of value additions.

Indian Idol 4 Contestants at Siddhivinayak

This news snippet is taken from screenindia.com . Please visit the site for more such juicy news.

Bouncing back after the break, the Indian Idol contestants, all 14 of them, started their week, last Monday, in a special manner. They began by visiting the Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai. The group then headed towards a nearby mall. After some window-shopping and trying their hand at some games the enthusiastic group were rearing to go to the Gateway of India and a boat-ride. Once in the middle of the Arabian Sea the youngsters simply let their hair down and did what they do best — singing. Kuldeep and Mohit picked up their guitars and the rest joined in for a long session of singing and dancing on the high seas! Mumbai and recognition has worked wonders on all of them. Even the shy Kapil was shaking a leg with gusto, Prasenjit has learnt a few sexy moves, Bhanupratap danced like there was no tomorrow and Mohit tried his hand at some pole-dancing! Torsha, the shyest of the lot, was the most upset when the music stopped at the end of a long eventful day.

Indian Idol 4 Winner , A Girl or A Boy

According to the article here (http://india-forums.com/tellybuzz/article.asp?id=3450) Indian Idol 4 winner will be a ?

As the girls outperform the boys, the audience is in store for a huge shock with 10 participants being eliminated from the show this week.

They came, they sang, they conquered!!! And not only that, they convinced one and all that they are here to stay. We are talking about the girls on Indian Idol. And the boys, in true sportsman spirit, cheered them on.



This season, the girls outdo the boys not only in number, but in performance too. They rendered some confident and rocking numbers. Which leads us to the age old question, ‘who will win the coveted title of Indian Idol 4 this year?’ Sonali Bendre firmly believes that a girl will walk away with the crown while Javed Akhtar hopes a good singer wins – be it a boy or a girl. Annu Malek, on the other hand, with his keen sense has picked one from the lot – Bhavya Pandit, the first among the singers to get an offer to sing for him in a forthcoming film.



But with laughter come tears. As Saturday dawns, the viewers and the contestants are in for a huge shock. After every singer putting in their maximum effort with round the clock riyaaz, wanting to be a part of Indian Idol 4 with all their heart and soul, 10 of the participants will have the carpet yanked off their feet.



So catch the great singing, enchanting performances and shocking eliminations on Indian Idol 4 this Saturday, November 1st at 9.00 pm only on Sony Entertainment Television.

‘I was told that I don’t have a good voice’ - Kailash Kher

According to the report here ( http://www.indianexpress.com/news/-I-was-told-that-I-don-t-have-a-good-voice-/379845 )

Kailash Kher on his ‘madness’ for singing, being a mentor and not just a judge on Indian Idol 4 and his dislike for Atif Aslam’s musical style

You seem to be the most loved judge on Indian Idol 4 with everyone wanting to sing Saiyaan.

(Laughs) Saiyaan seems to be the boys’ favourite. Our band, Kailasa, has got many compliments for it. I met a saint in Dubai recently who said that Saiyaan is a love anthem.

When someone mauls your song, what do you feel like doing?

(Laughs) Tab mann karta hai ki woh naa gaaye to behtar hoga (it’ll be better if they don’t sing at all). I pity them also because they’re so earnest. It’s just that they don’t have the sur. A bunch of boys from Lucknow, who have formed a Kailash Kher fan club, came on the show recently. You had to hear the way they sang Teri Deewani. They were all doing their own thing, kissi ka sur kahin bhi lag raha tha. But their passion was noteworthy. My heart went out to them. Then, Anu Malik kept goading me, saying, “Dekh, Kailash tere fans kitne sureele hain.” I didn’t react. If God’s devotees are fools, it doesn’t mean they aren’t devotees.

You’re very gentle in your assessment of contestants. Is that deliberate?

I have a simple philosophy: Kaaga kiske dhan hare…koyal kiske de…aur meethi baani bol ke jag apna karle. I understand that it’s all about creating an image on the show but I’d rather be subtle than harsh or hyper. If I don’t like a performance, I say so gently. You have to realise that the show has an unforgiving format that eliminates in one shot people who have been learning music for a decade. Maybe, on that particular day, a contestant is having a bad day and is not able to get the right sur. When I started singing, I was told I didn’t have a good voice and that I should learn an instrument to sustain myself. So, I did learn the sitar and the tabla. But I never gave up on myself. If I had believed other people’s judgement, I wouldn’t have been here.

Do you want to be a mentor than only a judge?

Yes, and I can’t be so by being rude. I have to encourage contestants, most of whom are nervous when they perform. It’s not easy with the whole country watching you. I always keep that in mind when I’m giving my analysis.

In a recent episode, a mention of Atif Aslam rankled you. Is there trouble between the two of you?

I’m having all kinds of new experiences on the show. Our band, Kailasa, had just returned from a show in America where Atif had also performed. Maybe Sonali wanted to create some light mood on the sets or maybe she was on a different trip but suddenly out of the blue she started going on and on about Atif Aslam. I found that strange. Somehow, I didn’t get the joke. I couldn’t understand what was happening. So, I started laughing.

Do you like Atif Aslam?

Not much. He sings modern, angrezi-style songs where lyrics aren’t that important. Since I have a folk background, I’m not used to his kind of music and take time to warm up to his kind of songs.

Is your mother the inspiration behind the song, Maa, in Dasvidaniya?

Yes. But by adding the word ‘mamma’ in the lyrics, the song becomes everyone’s song. As my Kailasa colleagues, Naresh and Paresh, and I have also scored the music for Dasvidaniya, we decided to create a distinctive sound for the album. I feel a mother is the only source of unconditional love. This song is my ode to all mothers. As for my relationship with my mom, she never pampered or cuddled me when I was young, she does it now when I’m all grown up.

Your rags-to-riches story is often touted, how you lived on the platform of Andheri station during your initial days…
(Interrupts) I want to correct this wrong impression. I never lived at the Andheri station. I had just mentioned to a journalist once that when I came down to Mumbai, I spent a very colourful night at the Andheri station. A bunch of us went down there to get a sense of the vibrancy of Mumbai and we ended up singing through the night. Next thing I know I’m supposed to have lived on the platform. I have had a British-style-public-school upbringing—the kind where having a cup of tea entails a thousand rituals. I don’t think I ever had chai without a cup and a saucer. Plus, I spent my free time at Delhi’s Golf Club.

So, you never struggled?
My struggle was to find a teacher who could teach me music. My struggle was to become a good singer. When I decided to learn music, I didn’t know where to go. We don’t have an institute in India that teaches music. Those who can afford either go to the Trinity College of Music or the Berlin School. But for those in India, you have to find a guru or an ustad who have their own hang-ups. So I started listening to all kinds of music available. I listened to the private albums of maestros like Lata Mangeshkar, Sant Eknath, Mohd Rafi, Meera Bhajan, Pt Kumar Gandharva, Ustad Amir Khan and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. In a way, I’m self taught.

Is it true you’re building a recording studio?
Yes. Kailasa Studios is ready. Other than Dasvidaniya, we are also scoring music for Boman Irani-starrer Rishton Ki Machine for which we have composed a song very reminiscent of Khosla Ka Ghosla’s Chak De Phatte.

Finally, who do you think about when you sing all those soulful love songs?
(Laughs) See, music is my passion, my muse. I put all the madness and passion that I feel for music in my songs. You can say ki main pyaar ke gaane nahin balki pyaar mein passion ke gaane gaata hoon. My only wish is that when people listen to my songs they go into anhad naad—a state of spiritual sadhna, it’s ‘soundless sound’, where you hear music in silence. When you sing with passion, madness and purity, people connect to the voice on a spiritual level....

10 contestants to get eliminated on Indian Idol!

According to the report here ( http://www.realbollywood.com/news/2008/10/indian-idol-eliminated.html )


Don’t miss the shocking eliminations On Indian Idol 4 This Saturday, November 1 At 9.00 pm Only on Sony Entertainment Television

They sang, they danced and they convinced one and all that they, the girls, are definitely here to stay. The boys couldn’t help but cheer them on. The number of girls, who have caught the attention of viewers and the judges, far outnumber the boys with their rocking performances & confidence. Sonali Bendre is convinced it is a girl who will take the title this time round. But Javed Akhtar hopes a good singer will win – be it a boy or a girl. Annu Malek has already started recognizing the immense potential – young Bhavya Pandit is the first to get an offer to sing for him in a forthcoming film. There are more waiting in the wings…


Though come tomorrow the viewers and the contestants are in for a huge heart break! Eviction this Saturday on Indian Idol 4 is sure to shake one and all. Imagine after every one of them putting their heart & soul with round-the-clock riyaaz, commitment to singing, and wanting to be a part of Indian Idol 4, 10 participants will have the carpet pulled off their feet!

There’s great singing, enchanting performances and shocking eliminations…
Stay tuned to Indian Idol 4 This Saturday, November 1 At 9.00 pm Only on Sony Entertainment Television.

Indian Idol is a compelling show

According to Aspi ( http://www.aspisdrift.com/2008/11/why-indian-idol-4-is-such-compelling.html ) , the reason Indian Idol 4 is compelling show because you can read it below :-

et me quickly tell you why Indian Idol is becoming such a compelling show. Yes, it is the train wreck that happens when everyone starts to sing. But its way more than that too.

Take last Saturday for instance. Both hosts Hussain and Chang kick-started the show with hazaar enthu introductions. Disco lights flashed. Everyone perked up.

After a rather complicated introduction, Hussain brought on the first contestant - Kuldeep Singh, who instantly appeared embarrassed at the welcome. Dressed in a pathan suit that looked a little leprachaunish, Kuldip launched into Jee Karda from Singh is Kinng with an Irish jig.

Instantly Anu Malik narrowed his eyes - deep in concentration about what he wanted to say about this guy when he finished. Often you sense that the judges commit to their comments well before the delivery has left the bowler's hand. In cricket this is called pre-meditated slogging. If it connects thats great, otherwise it looks comical - and II4 is no exception to this rule.

Kuldip continued, his pacing and pitching careening around the set. The camera focussed on a swaying Tullika Ganguly who has been appointed one of the hotties of the show - the producers constantly cut to her on the sidelines. More groanworthy amusement.

Cut to a shot of Kailash Kher looking like someone was torturing him slowly - which might just have been the case. And may God strike me down if I lie - but Kailash let loose a belch (at 3:12 in this vid). You couldn't hear it above the music, but his body heaved ever so slightly and settled down with satisfaction.

This reminded me of K. K. Shah in our neighborhood who would announce the end of dinner in the Shah household with a series of carefully punctuated, loud belches which would reverbate across the colony.

For jogging my childhood memory thus and making me all teary eyed and reminiscent, I burrp, I mean thank you, Indian Idol!

Indian Idol Contestants Stealing Heart

According to the Deccan Herald Report ( http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Nov22008/enter2008110198294.asp )


Get ready to know your favorite contestants on Indian Idol 4. Sony TV brings the uncensored and personal anecdotes about them on Indian Idol 4 Rubaroo on Thursdays at 7:30 pm. Hosts Chang and Deepali take you into the lives and present to you the little known side of this year’s contestants. Kick starting the episode was the chocolate boy, Jugal Hansraj, who stole every heart in town when he made his debut in Masoom many years ago.

Jugal Hansraj, the actor-turned-director came with his two debutantes — Romeo and Laila from his first directorial debut, the animation film Roadside Romeo. In spite of a bad cold, Jugal happily posed and interacted with all the contestants.

Indian Idol 4 - Day 10 - 18th Oct 2008

Indian Idol 4 Piano Round - Girls' First Elimination

This article has been taken from curlio.com since they cover the indian idol in a much better way and I feel like I am sitting in front of television watching the episode as I read their coverage.


Note: Because of the show's format, I've split up Saturday night into two: the eliminations and the boys' performances.

After starting the Indian Idol 4 Piano Rounds with a bang, the Top 15 girls faced their first elimination on Saturday night.

Hosts Hussein Kuwajerwala and Meiyang Chang began Saturday’s episode by calling four girls on stage: Srijita Kar, Bhavya Pandit, Purnima Vishwanathan, and Priyanka Negi.

Then Hussein and Chang went on with that nerve-wracking, suspense-building dialogue that Indian Idol pays him the big bucks to say: “It may be that the next four minutes are your final moments on this stage…” You know, that type of thing.

Hussein then asked Srijita if she thought that her journey on Indian Idol would end so soon. Srijita replies that if she gets eliminated, then she won’t like it but she’ll work harder in the future. She said that she has prepared herself.

And then Hussein gave me, and everyone else around India, a heart attack. He announced that the first person to be eliminated was Bhavya. WHAT THE…..!!!! You could hear audible gasps across the studio because Bhavya is one of the best singers among this bunch, and performed near the top during Friday’s piano round. There is no way that she could have been eliminated. Right? Right?

But then Hussein saved my life by asking Bhavya to read from the cue card, which basically said that the results were being tabulated and that they would have to wait. Because of this, they did the girls elimination at the end of the episode.

Chang announced that on Friday night, Megha Sharma, Srijita, Purnima, Raina Lahiri and Akanksha Palkar received criticism from the judges. But the people have always listened their own hearts….

He then called Akanksha, Tulika Ganguly, Bhavya, Priyanka, and Shini Calvint on stage. He told them that their time on this stage is short because they are all safe! Well, I didn’t expect Akanksha to be safe (she was one of my predictions for elimination yesterday), but she is!

Judges Anu Malik, Javed Akhtar, Sonali Bendre, and Kailash Kher were definitely pleased. (I think Kailash was especially happy about Tulika!)

There were 10 contestants left and four to be eliminated. Hussein then invited Srijita, Sunakshi Raina, Sourabhee Debbarma, Ananya Mishra, and Torsha Sarkar on stage. At this point, I started getting heart palpitations again because like Bhavya, I think Sourabhee, Ananya and Torsha have a long way to go in this competition.

He first declared Sourabhee to be safe. As she was about to walk off the stage, he called her back and asked her to take Ananya and Torsha with her because they were also safe.

Sunakshi and Srijita were left standing on stage and Hussein invited Raina, Megha, Pooja Ghosh and Purnima back on stage.

Chang then asked Nirali Fauzdar to remain seated because she is safe. (Yay!!!).

Back on the stage, Hussein announces the first elimination: Purnima Vishwanathan.

Srijita was told she was safe.

Pooja was then eliminated.

Raina was eliminated.

And then it was down to Sunakshi and Megha. Sunakshi gave a great performance during the Piano Round and Megha did not, but Sunakshi was the one eliminated. I’m guessing it’s because of that annoying teddy bear thing...

The judges were also shocked at Sunakshi’s elimination, and thought that it was a wrong decision. But really? What did they expect?

Here’s my take on the elimination: The audience definitely got it right this time. I predicted Pooja, Akanksha, Megha and Raina to be out. However, it was only a matter of time before Purnima and Sunakshi were voted out. Neither one of them were strong contenders for the crown and whether it was this week or sometime in the near future, they were going to be eliminated. The audience just took care of it now.

Stay tuned for the Boys’ Piano Round performances!


Indian Idol 4 Piano Round - Boys Have an Unimpressive Start

The fourth season of Indian Idol hit a high note this past weekend with impressive performances from the girls. Following that act on Saturday were the boys, who have been touted as the best singers that Indian Idol has ever seen. Did they live up to the expectations? Yes and no. So here we go with the boys' first Piano Round performances!! Hosts Hussein Kuwajerwala and Meiyang Chang kicked off the show with a brief introduction of the male contestants and, after much brouhaha, announced that the results for the girls had not yet been tabulated. They then introduced judges Javed Akhtar and Sonali Bendre. Kailash Kher came up on stage carrying a picture of Anu Malik and informed the audience that he would be giving judgment on AM’s behalf. He placed the picture on one of the judges’ chairs and took the other chair himself. Then we were off with the performances! And what can I say? The best definitely went first. Rajdeep Chatterjee – Laaga Chunari Mein Daag Rajdeep had me from the word “go.” He was the best performer of the evening. For those of us who are Indian Idol loyalists, he brought back memories of Amey Date from Indian Idol 2 who blew us away with his rendition of this legendary song. Here, Rajdeep did the same and he’s only 17! At the end, just when we thought he was done, he springs back like a fireball and shoots off the alaap like it’s nobody’s business. Wowzers! Not to mention that, yes, he does have a cute smile. SB: He really has a lovely smile. Your voice is also that good. Maybe it’s the happiness that comes through your voice. You sang well, and you know it. JA: Flawless. It seemed effortless, like a smoothly flowing river. KK: First, I’ll give Anu Malikji’s statement (In the middle of which Anu Malik himself comes up on stage, the girls results in hand!). From the beginning, you’ve been singing in tune. Don’t ever lose your naïveté. AM: Gave another really bad couplet, but said Rajdeep’s voice had a lot of power. Deepa’s Rating: 10/10 Saurabh Mehta – Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaaye This song, from Sonali’s movie Sarfarosh, is a moving portrayal of a nation whose progress is stunted by corruption and traitorous activity. It is a plea for people to fight back against evil and defend their country. It evokes a wide range of emotions from guilt to sadness to pride and patriotism. This was a unique song choice for Saurabh, but overall was one that served him well. He had a few mistakes here and there and I thought he could have performed better. SB: You sang a song from my film and you sang it well. I heard this song after many years and it was absolutely fabulous. KK: Your voice is suited to playback singing for films. It would be great if you continue in this show and the country gets another playback singing. AM: You made a good effort, but ever sing I’ve heard Rajdeep, I expect something like him or better. It’s a 50/50 performance. Not bad, not good. JA: The tune and structure of this song is old-fashioned from a different generation. Perhaps it may not appeal to this generation. So it didn’t have the impact that it should have. Deepa’s Rating: 7/10 Charit Dixit – Badi Mushkil Hain The first thing people have commented about Charit is that he’s a looker. Yes, this is true. At the same time, he’s a darn good singer, too! Unfortunately for Charit, I’m not too fond of the song that he chose, but he did sing it really well. He has a good range but he tends to get careless with his lower notes. His higher notes are fantastic. There were also a few places where he went off-key, but overall, it was decent. KK: Your song wasn’t that great in my perspective, but all the best. JA: I liked his singing. You say that he is always in a mellow mood, but his singing has all the playfulness and romance that was needed in this song. SB: Your expressions were really good. There was a lot of softness, a lot of romance in that song. And I really liked it. AM: I like your face. You look good. So I would say…a really bad couplet again! (But no comments about his singing). Deepa’s Rating: 7/10 Mohit Lalwani – Ek Haseena Thi You know, I was so waiting for this one. Seriously. I’ve already claimed Mohit to be my favorite male contestant (along with Rajdeep) and I was naturally excited about this performance. Here’s the final verdict: SB: Your performance was good. The song was such that it automatically peps you up. AM: This song is such is that you were belting it out. You were singing it so loudly that you were trying to come above the track. And you split up the word galli, which was not fair. But I think there is a charm. You have a handsome (how else would you translate haseen?) face, a powerful voice. You are not any less than anyone else. KK: There was a lot of energy in your singing and your style. If you paid attention to the small things, it would make me really happy. JA: He has a powerful voice with a good throw. But I have to say something so I will. I thought that the feelings were missing just slightly, and that they were overtaken by your energy. Just be careful of that. You sang really well! First of all – I LOVE this song. You have to have a specific type of voice to be able to pull it off well. I think Mohit does have that voice. I think he sang it faithfully. However, I tend to agree with the judges that he was trying to sing above the track, which is hard to do. I wish the musicians had toned it down a bit, but then that would have detracted from the song. It was a lose-lose situation for Mohit, which he should have considered when making this selection. On the other hand, because it’s Mohit, I will say that he performed well. He was in sur, and really does have a powerful voice. Next week, he needs to come up with something mindblowing. Otherwise, I see his time on this stage as short-lived, unfortunately. That would make me very sad because I really think he has the potential to make it to the Top 12. (Anyone having flashbacks of Bhavin in last year’s Piano Rounds??) Deepa’s Rating: 8/10 Prosenjit Kosambi – Dil Hain Ke Manta Nahin Prosenjit seems like a nice enough guy, but for those of us who watched Sa Re Ga Ma Pa last season (when it was actually watchable, unlike this season) will remember him as Abhijeet Kosambi’s brother. Abhijeet won SRGMP Marathi and got a place in SRGMP International. During Abhijeet’s elimination, there was a small fiasco when Prosenjit gave the judges some back talk. But, let’s keep it real. Who cares about that?! I just brought it up because I figured if the name sounded familiar to me, it would do the same to our readers. I do not like this song and was not in the mood to listen to it, but Prosenjit surprised me with his singing – enough to where I actually restrained myself from skipping it. That counts for something right? In keeping with the general trend of Saturday’s singers, Prosenjit sang okay, but could have done better. And after hearing the judge's comments, I figured out why. JA: You sang well. You have a great voice. But I think that if you had sang a half-note higher, this song would have blossomed much better. AM: Asked if he sang in the original octave. (Hussein chimes in and asks if he thought this was the problem.) AM responds that I would not like to say about octaves only. He has a good voice. He’s working hard. But what good is a voice if it doesn’t touch the heart. Today, you’ve tried. But I would say that it’s a 50/50 gamble. Not bad, not good. SB: Your voice touched my heart. I thought it was like honey. You got the expression of romance. Next time, if you sing a more energetic song with the same emotions, nothing can stop you then. You have a beautiful voice. KK: As a musician, I would like to make one request to you. You sang well and have a good voice, but when you sing in such competitions in the future, keep in mind the original music director. You chose a scale in your comfort, but don’t do it that way. You have to show your challenges and prove yourself. I like your performance. Here, Anu Malik asks the musicians to go one note higher. This was absolutely the right move because Prasanjit sounded SO much better. I wish he had sang on that octave the first time! Deepa’s Rating: 6.5/10 Keshav Prasad – Satrangi Re Keshav is a playback singer for the Kannada film industry but is an unimpressive singer in Hindi. Singing Satrangi Re was a bad idea – his voice is not at all suited to this song. His forte is sweet, sugary romantic numbers, not wild, passionate numbers such as this. If you’ve been flying under the radar for most of the season and are trying to make a good impression on your first outing, you pick a song that you know you can perform well. Satrangi Re was a big risk for Keshav, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to pay off for him. He stands a good chance of being eliminated on Friday. AM: I’m very disappointed. Today, you broke my heart. From the beginning to the end, I don’t think you were involved in the song at all. You sometimes hit the right notes, sometimes didn’t. There was no expression. I’m very hurt, very disappointed at this performance today. SB: We’ve always had high expectations from Keshav. I liked your song, but it seemed mechanical. You should be more involved in it. KK: Your went off-key in the beginning. But even great singers go through that on stage. But I congratulate your effort. I liked your song from a playback perspective, but there is a big difference between live and playback in a studio. You have to learn to do both. JA: First, I will say that you have a good voice and you are a good singer as a whole. But in today’s performance, I have to say that every song has it’s own method, it’s own style. You started off on the wrong note. It was a song of obsession. It seems as if the singer is crazy over something. That didn’t happen. Your voice stayed silky, romantic and polite. It seems that your voice is not made for this song. Deepa’s Rating: 5/10 Roshan – Tanhaiyee Roshan actually has a nice voice, but this particular performance wasn’t as good as it could’ve been. He had some expression, but went out of sur in several places. Sonu Nigam’s original version is so etched into my mind that I kept listening for his voice (which obviously I didn’t hear). I think Roshan was “fluffy” – he had neither the sadness that comes with being alone nor the grief with which he is thinking of the happiness that has been lost. I don’t know, it was a rather bleh performance...how’s that for descriptive?!? KK: You started off sur. I wasn’t that moved by your performance. JA: When you started, your notes weren’t definite. But after that, you picked it up well and sang well. On the whole, it was a good performance. I won’t say it was a very, very good performance. SB: Your voice had expression and I liked that. Yes, it was not your best performance, but it was not a bad performance at all. I enjoyed it. AM: The mood is about tanhaiyee (loneliness). But I didn’t see that loneliness anywhere. Your voice should have had that feeling in it. In short, I would say that today’s performance was lukewarm. Deepa’s Rating: 6.5/10 Parashar Joshi – Ya Ali Ugh. I’m so tired of this song. Parashar couldn’t pick something else? It was awesome the first month that it released, but now it’s just annoying. Personal preference aside, Parashar’s voice is actually suited to it quite well. After the last three performances, I was looking for some kind of relief. Parashar made many mistakes, several of which were rather obvious. However, it was a breath of fresh air considering the performances that had preceded him. Parashar had a better showing than expected, that’s for sure. KK: I’m really happy with your performance. Keep working like this. SB: SB asked KK to clarify his advice to Nirali on Friday about holding the mike away from her mouth when getting louder to keep the sound balanced. She thought that it might apply to Parashar. They had a civilized little discussion about it. SB remarked that she liked Parashar’s performance and thought that he had a lot of confidence. You moved around a lot, you used the space a lot and that was nice. JA: Told Parashar that he needs to work on his pronunciation and diction. AM: You were shouting. You were not singing. The day you learned to sing, you are a singer. (Duh). You tried your best, but it wasn’t good enough. The people are looking for a great singer with attitude, personality and singing. Kailash liked it, I didn’t. The girls are still riding here then the boys. (I agree with that 100 percent!!! Yay for Anu Malik!) Deepa’s Rating: 7/10 Ali Hussain – Piya Re Ali started the alaap off really strongly and then lost it again with the mukhda. After my short-lived excitement, I wanted to throw a heavy object at my poor computer screen because of the disappointing manner of this episode. Then Ali forgot the lyrics - again! This happened to him in the Theater Rounds as well. Geez man, get it together!! His voice is not suited to the Sufi genre. If he knew this to be a fact, he should have picked another song for the first round. Experiment after you’ve secured a spot in the Top 12, which will give you plenty to time to practice a song that is not in your genre. This was a disappointing performance for me. It was too sloppy. Here, I want to disagree with Sonali (read her comments below). A singer forgetting the words is a good enough reason for me to not vote for him if he does it repeatedly. If it happens once, that can be forgiven, but to let someone off the hook over and over again is not the right approach. KK: This is my favorite song and you’ve sung it well, especially since your voice is not for this song. JA: There is a voice that is for modern singing and one that is generally for traditional. This is a folk song, but even “modern” singers like Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi could work in the folk genre. You needed polish. SB: Your problem has always been that you forget words. This is not the reason for us to lose a voice like this. AM: Another stupid couplet, but he praised Ali. I think you can go far. Just hold on to what you’ve got. If you do, you’ll get far. Deepa’s Rating: 6.5/10 Kuldeep Singh Chauhan – Teri Deewani Can I just say that it takes guts to sing Kailash Kher’s song when he is the one judging you? I can’t figure out if it was brave or stupid, but it was definitely bold. Kuldeep started off one a sore note, but picked up the remaining song very nicely and stayed consistent throughout. He has a good range, but like the other singers in this batch, he needs polish. His performance was decent considering the competition. AM: Asked KK what the inspiration was behind this song (to which KK gave a beautiful explanation. And then sang it… with Kuldeep. WOW!). For your voice, you need to work harder. Singing is definitely a God-given gift. You tried hard but today it could’ve been better. SB: You voice is good. You sang well. Definitely, there were some areas lacking, but I’m fully confident that a singer like you could fix those. JA: You didn’t pick this song based on the strengths of your voice. There were some issues with your lower notes. But in totality, I found the energy level and sharp focus needed for this song. KK: Didn’t give comments. He just sang. Awesome. Deepa’s Rating: 8/10 Pranav Srivastav – Chhaiya Chhaiya I have to admit that the first time, I fast-forwarded through Pranav’s performance. That’s how much I did not like it. Then, I made myself listen to it again to figure out why. This is what was wrong: he was nasal throughout, he had poor breath control, and there was no feeling at all. It seems like he sang it straight through, without any thought to voice modulation or sentiments. He also didn’t complete his sentences. Yikes! He stands a good chance of being eliminated on Friday. SB: There are a lot of expectations from you. A lot of things went wrong today. How do you think you did? (Said he thought he could sing better). AM: You lost your breath in many places, especially in the main mukhda. When you sing “Chhaiya Chhaiya,” you have to stay in tune, on beat, and with appropriate places to take a breath. I also thought it was little nasal. But somewhere along the way, I thought you tried to pick up on the song, and I like that. I think you should be given another chance. JA: I liked your performance on the whole for the reason that you were not copying Sukhwinder at all, but you tried to capture the spirit of the song. KK: You have a good voice. It’s okay that you chose this song for the challenge because when you hit the high notes, you go nasal. Deepa’s Rating: 6/10 Kapil Thapa – Dil Keh Raha Hain Army man Kapil Thapa, who’s my prediction to be the winner this year, came next with a soulful rendition of Dil Keh Raha Hain. I like Kapil. I think he’s talented, sincere, and focused. I don’t think he’s the best singer in the lot, but he’s teachable and that quality going to take him far in the competition. On Saturday, I thought he was great! Anu Malik did the same thing with Kapil that he did earlier the Prosenjit. He asked Kapil to sing it again on a higher scale. The difference was truly remarkable. He was great the first time around, but he was even better on the higher scale. Good call, Anu Malik! AM: Be very careful of your scale next time. For now, I thought it was good. Keep on working hard. You were in sur. I liked it. SB: Kapil, you rocked. KK: I liked your song, especially when you sang it in the higher octave. JA: You sang well. You have a good voice. But it’s the same problem – seems mellow your singing got drowned out by the music. Deepa’s Rating: 9/10 Remo Ghosh – Kasto Mazaa Hain This kid is cute, but I don’t like how he uses it to win people over. The thing he pulled with Priyanka Chopra was completely unnecessary. That makes him calculating, which I don’t like at all. He went off-key too many times for me to happy with this performance, but people will keep voting for him because of where he’s from and his age. SB: You have a lot of talent and this is an opportunity for you so don’t lose it. JA: Your singing was okay. KK: You need to improve your singing because your voice is really beautiful. And it is appropriate for playback singing and non-filmy signing. AM: All four of us like you but you have to promise to work hard. Deepa’s Rating: 6.5/10 Sandeep Ubale – Rimjhim Gire Sawan After Rajdeep, this was the second best performance of the evening. Sandeep was amazing all the way through. First of all, his voice has just the right amount of depth to pull this song off. On top of that, he caught all the minor nuances and delivered them perfectly. This was a bravura performance. KK: I see a big star in you. I’m very happy with you. JA: Standing ovation. SB: Your expressions were fabulous. You transported me. You were fantastic. AM: Your tears are telling me how much you need this crown, how much you want to succeed for your parents and for yourself. I honor that. Deepa’s Rating: 10/10 Bhanu Pratap Singh – Rabba Mainu Pyar Ho Gaya So Bhanu isn’t the only contestant who has tried every year and gotten rejected. There are others among his peers who are in the same boat. But this guy sheds a few tears and all of a sudden, he becomes everyone’s hero. Yeah, right. "Drama Queen" Bhanu started off really well, but when the music picked up, he became very sloppy. His singing needs a lot of work, but I’m willing to bet that no one’s gonna vote him out this early in the game unless the public at large has changed. Another "yeah, right". KK: During the Theater Rounds, Javedsaab said that everyone should always try. And that particular thing changed our minds about Bhanu and we let him in, which as never happened in the history of Indian Idol. And today, I see no flaws in his singing. I pray that the Indian people take him to the top. SB: Whatever Kailash said is absolutely right. Whatever God does, he does for the best. AM: This song was not easy. You sang it well. But you missed some parts. But now, you have to be careful because the boys who have gone before you have raised the bar. This competition is going to be dangerous. Everyone has to work hard. JA: You have a lot of feeling in your song. You have a heart that recognizes pain. As far as your craft is concerned, you can learn. Your lower notes were lacking, so learn those and work hard. Deepa’s Rating: 7/10 That’s a wrap for the Boys’ Piano Round. After seeing Saturday’s show, there are four male contestants who I think may make it to the Top 12: Rajdeep Chatterjee for his sheer talent, Charit Dixit and Mohit Lalwani (duh!), and Kapil Thapa, who will be bringing in votes from servicemen and women across India. As for the remaining two spots, it’s a toss up! My predictions for next Friday’s eliminations: Prosenjit, Keshav, Pranav, and Ali.

The fourth season of Indian Idol hit a high note this past weekend with impressive performances from the girls. Following that act on Saturday were the boys, who have been touted as the best singers that Indian Idol has ever seen. Did they live up to the expectations? Yes and no. So here we go with the boys' first Piano Round performances!! Hosts Hussein Kuwajerwala and Meiyang Chang kicked off the show with a brief introduction of the male contestants and, after much brouhaha, announced that the results for the girls had not yet been tabulated. They then introduced judges Javed Akhtar and Sonali Bendre. Kailash Kher came up on stage carrying a picture of Anu Malik and informed the audience that he would be giving judgment on AM’s behalf. He placed the picture on one of the judges’ chairs and took the other chair himself. Then we were off with the performances! And what can I say? The best definitely went first. Rajdeep Chatterjee – Laaga Chunari Mein Daag Rajdeep had me from the word “go.” He was the best performer of the evening. For those of us who are Indian Idol loyalists, he brought back memories of Amey Date from Indian Idol 2 who blew us away with his rendition of this legendary song. Here, Rajdeep did the same and he’s only 17! At the end, just when we thought he was done, he springs back like a fireball and shoots off the alaap like it’s nobody’s business. Wowzers! Not to mention that, yes, he does have a cute smile. SB: He really has a lovely smile. Your voice is also that good. Maybe it’s the happiness that comes through your voice. You sang well, and you know it. JA: Flawless. It seemed effortless, like a smoothly flowing river. KK: First, I’ll give Anu Malikji’s statement (In the middle of which Anu Malik himself comes up on stage, the girls results in hand!). From the beginning, you’ve been singing in tune. Don’t ever lose your naïveté. AM: Gave another really bad couplet, but said Rajdeep’s voice had a lot of power. Deepa’s Rating: 10/10 Saurabh Mehta – Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaaye This song, from Sonali’s movie Sarfarosh, is a moving portrayal of a nation whose progress is stunted by corruption and traitorous activity. It is a plea for people to fight back against evil and defend their country. It evokes a wide range of emotions from guilt to sadness to pride and patriotism. This was a unique song choice for Saurabh, but overall was one that served him well. He had a few mistakes here and there and I thought he could have performed better. SB: You sang a song from my film and you sang it well. I heard this song after many years and it was absolutely fabulous. KK: Your voice is suited to playback singing for films. It would be great if you continue in this show and the country gets another playback singing. AM: You made a good effort, but ever sing I’ve heard Rajdeep, I expect something like him or better. It’s a 50/50 performance. Not bad, not good. JA: The tune and structure of this song is old-fashioned from a different generation. Perhaps it may not appeal to this generation. So it didn’t have the impact that it should have. Deepa’s Rating: 7/10 Charit Dixit – Badi Mushkil Hain The first thing people have commented about Charit is that he’s a looker. Yes, this is true. At the same time, he’s a darn good singer, too! Unfortunately for Charit, I’m not too fond of the song that he chose, but he did sing it really well. He has a good range but he tends to get careless with his lower notes. His higher notes are fantastic. There were also a few places where he went off-key, but overall, it was decent. KK: Your song wasn’t that great in my perspective, but all the best. JA: I liked his singing. You say that he is always in a mellow mood, but his singing has all the playfulness and romance that was needed in this song. SB: Your expressions were really good. There was a lot of softness, a lot of romance in that song. And I really liked it. AM: I like your face. You look good. So I would say…a really bad couplet again! (But no comments about his singing). Deepa’s Rating: 7/10 Mohit Lalwani – Ek Haseena Thi You know, I was so waiting for this one. Seriously. I’ve already claimed Mohit to be my favorite male contestant (along with Rajdeep) and I was naturally excited about this performance. Here’s the final verdict: SB: Your performance was good. The song was such that it automatically peps you up. AM: This song is such is that you were belting it out. You were singing it so loudly that you were trying to come above the track. And you split up the word galli, which was not fair. But I think there is a charm. You have a handsome (how else would you translate haseen?) face, a powerful voice. You are not any less than anyone else. KK: There was a lot of energy in your singing and your style. If you paid attention to the small things, it would make me really happy. JA: He has a powerful voice with a good throw. But I have to say something so I will. I thought that the feelings were missing just slightly, and that they were overtaken by your energy. Just be careful of that. You sang really well! First of all – I LOVE this song. You have to have a specific type of voice to be able to pull it off well. I think Mohit does have that voice. I think he sang it faithfully. However, I tend to agree with the judges that he was trying to sing above the track, which is hard to do. I wish the musicians had toned it down a bit, but then that would have detracted from the song. It was a lose-lose situation for Mohit, which he should have considered when making this selection. On the other hand, because it’s Mohit, I will say that he performed well. He was in sur, and really does have a powerful voice. Next week, he needs to come up with something mindblowing. Otherwise, I see his time on this stage as short-lived, unfortunately. That would make me very sad because I really think he has the potential to make it to the Top 12. (Anyone having flashbacks of Bhavin in last year’s Piano Rounds??) Deepa’s Rating: 8/10 Prosenjit Kosambi – Dil Hain Ke Manta Nahin Prosenjit seems like a nice enough guy, but for those of us who watched Sa Re Ga Ma Pa last season (when it was actually watchable, unlike this season) will remember him as Abhijeet Kosambi’s brother. Abhijeet won SRGMP Marathi and got a place in SRGMP International. During Abhijeet’s elimination, there was a small fiasco when Prosenjit gave the judges some back talk. But, let’s keep it real. Who cares about that?! I just brought it up because I figured if the name sounded familiar to me, it would do the same to our readers. I do not like this song and was not in the mood to listen to it, but Prosenjit surprised me with his singing – enough to where I actually restrained myself from skipping it. That counts for something right? In keeping with the general trend of Saturday’s singers, Prosenjit sang okay, but could have done better. And after hearing the judge's comments, I figured out why. JA: You sang well. You have a great voice. But I think that if you had sang a half-note higher, this song would have blossomed much better. AM: Asked if he sang in the original octave. (Hussein chimes in and asks if he thought this was the problem.) AM responds that I would not like to say about octaves only. He has a good voice. He’s working hard. But what good is a voice if it doesn’t touch the heart. Today, you’ve tried. But I would say that it’s a 50/50 gamble. Not bad, not good. SB: Your voice touched my heart. I thought it was like honey. You got the expression of romance. Next time, if you sing a more energetic song with the same emotions, nothing can stop you then. You have a beautiful voice. KK: As a musician, I would like to make one request to you. You sang well and have a good voice, but when you sing in such competitions in the future, keep in mind the original music director. You chose a scale in your comfort, but don’t do it that way. You have to show your challenges and prove yourself. I like your performance. Here, Anu Malik asks the musicians to go one note higher. This was absolutely the right move because Prasanjit sounded SO much better. I wish he had sang on that octave the first time! Deepa’s Rating: 6.5/10 Keshav Prasad – Satrangi Re Keshav is a playback singer for the Kannada film industry but is an unimpressive singer in Hindi. Singing Satrangi Re was a bad idea – his voice is not at all suited to this song. His forte is sweet, sugary romantic numbers, not wild, passionate numbers such as this. If you’ve been flying under the radar for most of the season and are trying to make a good impression on your first outing, you pick a song that you know you can perform well. Satrangi Re was a big risk for Keshav, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to pay off for him. He stands a good chance of being eliminated on Friday. AM: I’m very disappointed. Today, you broke my heart. From the beginning to the end, I don’t think you were involved in the song at all. You sometimes hit the right notes, sometimes didn’t. There was no expression. I’m very hurt, very disappointed at this performance today. SB: We’ve always had high expectations from Keshav. I liked your song, but it seemed mechanical. You should be more involved in it. KK: Your went off-key in the beginning. But even great singers go through that on stage. But I congratulate your effort. I liked your song from a playback perspective, but there is a big difference between live and playback in a studio. You have to learn to do both. JA: First, I will say that you have a good voice and you are a good singer as a whole. But in today’s performance, I have to say that every song has it’s own method, it’s own style. You started off on the wrong note. It was a song of obsession. It seems as if the singer is crazy over something. That didn’t happen. Your voice stayed silky, romantic and polite. It seems that your voice is not made for this song. Deepa’s Rating: 5/10 Roshan – Tanhaiyee Roshan actually has a nice voice, but this particular performance wasn’t as good as it could’ve been. He had some expression, but went out of sur in several places. Sonu Nigam’s original version is so etched into my mind that I kept listening for his voice (which obviously I didn’t hear). I think Roshan was “fluffy” – he had neither the sadness that comes with being alone nor the grief with which he is thinking of the happiness that has been lost. I don’t know, it was a rather bleh performance...how’s that for descriptive?!? KK: You started off sur. I wasn’t that moved by your performance. JA: When you started, your notes weren’t definite. But after that, you picked it up well and sang well. On the whole, it was a good performance. I won’t say it was a very, very good performance. SB: Your voice had expression and I liked that. Yes, it was not your best performance, but it was not a bad performance at all. I enjoyed it. AM: The mood is about tanhaiyee (loneliness). But I didn’t see that loneliness anywhere. Your voice should have had that feeling in it. In short, I would say that today’s performance was lukewarm. Deepa’s Rating: 6.5/10 Parashar Joshi – Ya Ali Ugh. I’m so tired of this song. Parashar couldn’t pick something else? It was awesome the first month that it released, but now it’s just annoying. Personal preference aside, Parashar’s voice is actually suited to it quite well. After the last three performances, I was looking for some kind of relief. Parashar made many mistakes, several of which were rather obvious. However, it was a breath of fresh air considering the performances that had preceded him. Parashar had a better showing than expected, that’s for sure. KK: I’m really happy with your performance. Keep working like this. SB: SB asked KK to clarify his advice to Nirali on Friday about holding the mike away from her mouth when getting louder to keep the sound balanced. She thought that it might apply to Parashar. They had a civilized little discussion about it. SB remarked that she liked Parashar’s performance and thought that he had a lot of confidence. You moved around a lot, you used the space a lot and that was nice. JA: Told Parashar that he needs to work on his pronunciation and diction. AM: You were shouting. You were not singing. The day you learned to sing, you are a singer. (Duh). You tried your best, but it wasn’t good enough. The people are looking for a great singer with attitude, personality and singing. Kailash liked it, I didn’t. The girls are still riding here then the boys. (I agree with that 100 percent!!! Yay for Anu Malik!) Deepa’s Rating: 7/10 Ali Hussain – Piya Re Ali started the alaap off really strongly and then lost it again with the mukhda. After my short-lived excitement, I wanted to throw a heavy object at my poor computer screen because of the disappointing manner of this episode. Then Ali forgot the lyrics - again! This happened to him in the Theater Rounds as well. Geez man, get it together!! His voice is not suited to the Sufi genre. If he knew this to be a fact, he should have picked another song for the first round. Experiment after you’ve secured a spot in the Top 12, which will give you plenty to time to practice a song that is not in your genre. This was a disappointing performance for me. It was too sloppy. Here, I want to disagree with Sonali (read her comments below). A singer forgetting the words is a good enough reason for me to not vote for him if he does it repeatedly. If it happens once, that can be forgiven, but to let someone off the hook over and over again is not the right approach. KK: This is my favorite song and you’ve sung it well, especially since your voice is not for this song. JA: There is a voice that is for modern singing and one that is generally for traditional. This is a folk song, but even “modern” singers like Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi could work in the folk genre. You needed polish. SB: Your problem has always been that you forget words. This is not the reason for us to lose a voice like this. AM: Another stupid couplet, but he praised Ali. I think you can go far. Just hold on to what you’ve got. If you do, you’ll get far. Deepa’s Rating: 6.5/10 Kuldeep Singh Chauhan – Teri Deewani Can I just say that it takes guts to sing Kailash Kher’s song when he is the one judging you? I can’t figure out if it was brave or stupid, but it was definitely bold. Kuldeep started off one a sore note, but picked up the remaining song very nicely and stayed consistent throughout. He has a good range, but like the other singers in this batch, he needs polish. His performance was decent considering the competition. AM: Asked KK what the inspiration was behind this song (to which KK gave a beautiful explanation. And then sang it… with Kuldeep. WOW!). For your voice, you need to work harder. Singing is definitely a God-given gift. You tried hard but today it could’ve been better. SB: You voice is good. You sang well. Definitely, there were some areas lacking, but I’m fully confident that a singer like you could fix those. JA: You didn’t pick this song based on the strengths of your voice. There were some issues with your lower notes. But in totality, I found the energy level and sharp focus needed for this song. KK: Didn’t give comments. He just sang. Awesome. Deepa’s Rating: 8/10 Pranav Srivastav – Chhaiya Chhaiya I have to admit that the first time, I fast-forwarded through Pranav’s performance. That’s how much I did not like it. Then, I made myself listen to it again to figure out why. This is what was wrong: he was nasal throughout, he had poor breath control, and there was no feeling at all. It seems like he sang it straight through, without any thought to voice modulation or sentiments. He also didn’t complete his sentences. Yikes! He stands a good chance of being eliminated on Friday. SB: There are a lot of expectations from you. A lot of things went wrong today. How do you think you did? (Said he thought he could sing better). AM: You lost your breath in many places, especially in the main mukhda. When you sing “Chhaiya Chhaiya,” you have to stay in tune, on beat, and with appropriate places to take a breath. I also thought it was little nasal. But somewhere along the way, I thought you tried to pick up on the song, and I like that. I think you should be given another chance. JA: I liked your performance on the whole for the reason that you were not copying Sukhwinder at all, but you tried to capture the spirit of the song. KK: You have a good voice. It’s okay that you chose this song for the challenge because when you hit the high notes, you go nasal. Deepa’s Rating: 6/10 Kapil Thapa – Dil Keh Raha Hain Army man Kapil Thapa, who’s my prediction to be the winner this year, came next with a soulful rendition of Dil Keh Raha Hain. I like Kapil. I think he’s talented, sincere, and focused. I don’t think he’s the best singer in the lot, but he’s teachable and that quality going to take him far in the competition. On Saturday, I thought he was great! Anu Malik did the same thing with Kapil that he did earlier the Prosenjit. He asked Kapil to sing it again on a higher scale. The difference was truly remarkable. He was great the first time around, but he was even better on the higher scale. Good call, Anu Malik! AM: Be very careful of your scale next time. For now, I thought it was good. Keep on working hard. You were in sur. I liked it. SB: Kapil, you rocked. KK: I liked your song, especially when you sang it in the higher octave. JA: You sang well. You have a good voice. But it’s the same problem – seems mellow your singing got drowned out by the music. Deepa’s Rating: 9/10 Remo Ghosh – Kasto Mazaa Hain This kid is cute, but I don’t like how he uses it to win people over. The thing he pulled with Priyanka Chopra was completely unnecessary. That makes him calculating, which I don’t like at all. He went off-key too many times for me to happy with this performance, but people will keep voting for him because of where he’s from and his age. SB: You have a lot of talent and this is an opportunity for you so don’t lose it. JA: Your singing was okay. KK: You need to improve your singing because your voice is really beautiful. And it is appropriate for playback singing and non-filmy signing. AM: All four of us like you but you have to promise to work hard. Deepa’s Rating: 6.5/10 Sandeep Ubale – Rimjhim Gire Sawan After Rajdeep, this was the second best performance of the evening. Sandeep was amazing all the way through. First of all, his voice has just the right amount of depth to pull this song off. On top of that, he caught all the minor nuances and delivered them perfectly. This was a bravura performance. KK: I see a big star in you. I’m very happy with you. JA: Standing ovation. SB: Your expressions were fabulous. You transported me. You were fantastic. AM: Your tears are telling me how much you need this crown, how much you want to succeed for your parents and for yourself. I honor that. Deepa’s Rating: 10/10 Bhanu Pratap Singh – Rabba Mainu Pyar Ho Gaya So Bhanu isn’t the only contestant who has tried every year and gotten rejected. There are others among his peers who are in the same boat. But this guy sheds a few tears and all of a sudden, he becomes everyone’s hero. Yeah, right. "Drama Queen" Bhanu started off really well, but when the music picked up, he became very sloppy. His singing needs a lot of work, but I’m willing to bet that no one’s gonna vote him out this early in the game unless the public at large has changed. Another "yeah, right". KK: During the Theater Rounds, Javedsaab said that everyone should always try. And that particular thing changed our minds about Bhanu and we let him in, which as never happened in the history of Indian Idol. And today, I see no flaws in his singing. I pray that the Indian people take him to the top. SB: Whatever Kailash said is absolutely right. Whatever God does, he does for the best. AM: This song was not easy. You sang it well. But you missed some parts. But now, you have to be careful because the boys who have gone before you have raised the bar. This competition is going to be dangerous. Everyone has to work hard. JA: You have a lot of feeling in your song. You have a heart that recognizes pain. As far as your craft is concerned, you can learn. Your lower notes were lacking, so learn those and work hard. Deepa’s Rating: 7/10 That’s a wrap for the Boys’ Piano Round. After seeing Saturday’s show, there are four male contestants who I think may make it to the Top 12: Rajdeep Chatterjee for his sheer talent, Charit Dixit and Mohit Lalwani (duh!), and Kapil Thapa, who will be bringing in votes from servicemen and women across India. As for the remaining two spots, it’s a toss up! My predictions for next Friday’s eliminations: Prosenjit, Keshav, Pranav, and Ali.

Boys Day

1) Rajdeep Chatterjee - T.K. Chatterjee ( Father)

Laga Chunri Mein Daag
Lovely Smile - Sonali Bendre
Flawless , Effortless - Javed Akhtar
Aawaaj mein Bahut Dum - Anu Malik
Don't let the innocence go away - Kailash Kher

SMS Code :- Rajdeep 52525


2) Saurabh Mehta - Kolkatta - Suresh Mehta
Jindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye

Absolutely Fabolous - Sonali Bendre
One more playback singer - Anu Malik
50-50 not good - not bad
Not much impact - Javedh Akhtar

SMS Code :- Saurabh 52525



3) Charit Dixit - Mukul Dixit
Badi Mushkil Hai

Not Awwal - Kailash Kher
All The expressions in Voice - Javed Akhtar
Very good expression - Sonali Bendre
Good Looking - Anu Malik


SMS Code :- Charit 52525

Indian Idol 4 - Day 9 - 17th Oct 2008

Indian Idol 4 - Girls' First Piano Round

This article has been taken from curlio.com since they cover the indian idol in a much better way and I feel like I am sitting in front of television watching the episode as I read their coverage.


After a grueling selection process, Indian Idol 4 has finally reached the piano round, where every week, the Top 30 will perform and face eliminations until we have the Top 12.

The show began with a brief introduction of the two hosts: Hussein Kuwajerwala and Indian Idol 3 finalist Meiyang Chang. This all-male hosting duo is different for India, where there is usually one male and one female. But nevertheless, it’ll be fun to watch these two as they are complete jokesters!

Then came the introduction of this year’s judges: lyricist Javed Akhtar, music director Anu Malik, singer Kailash Kher, and Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre.

The special guest was the stunning Priyanka Chopra, who was there to promote her new film "Fashion", which is releasing on Friday.

The girls were up first and were divided into three teams. Each team was led by the three past Indian Idol winners. Here’s the rundown:

- Indian Idol 1 Abhijeet Sawant’s team: Torsha, Purnima, Akanksha, Sourabhee

- Indian Idol 2 Sandeep Acharya’s team: Priyanka, Tulika, Sunakshi, Raina, and Sreejita

- Indian Idol 3 Prashant Tamang’s team: Shini, Bhavya, Ananya, Pooja and Megha

And to Ajay’s delight, Ananya Mishra kicked off the show!

Ananya Mishra – Suno Sajna

The one thing we keep hearing about Ananya is that she is Pandit Birju Maharaj’s granddaughter. He is a renowned teacher and performer of Kathak, a form of Indian classical dance. He is also a Hindustani classical vocalist. Now in the music and dance world, that’s a daunting lineage, and Ananya seems to know this fact quite well. Through out the theater rounds, the judges kept telling her she needs to bring her ego down a notch. I personally didn’t notice that she had an ego problem, but that’s neither here nor there.

Ananya chose a classical piece and performed it well. It wasn’t perfect, but it was pretty close. She was confident, but not overly so. She didn’t make the song more complicated than it needed to be, which is the criticism that the judges had for her in the theater rounds. All in all, she had a solid opening performance and we all know that the judges are gunning for her to make in to the Top 12. Well, I am too, as is Ajay!

JA: You have nice voice. You sang really well. The way in which you started the antara was masterly. But I will still say that your singing was a little uneven. There were some points were there was unevenness in your voice. I expect a little more from you.
SB: You’ve lived up to the expectations. Since you came on the first day, we’ve all been very impressed by you. I’m really praying that you keep bettering yourself. I really liked what you did today.
KK: I really liked your song. My wish is that you will advance to the next round and that the public will support you.
PC: Sometimes, when we sing, we add in a lot of harkats to impress people. But you’ve kept the tune in tact, even after adding in the harkat.
AM: You’ve sang really well. (some silly couplet). I really liked your song. We’re all lucky that you’re a part of Indian Idol.

Deepa’s Rating: 8.5/10


Bhavya Pandit – Paan Khaaye Saiyyan Hamaro

I really enjoyed Bhavya’s singing today. Her performance was good, but I definitely feel that she is a stronger singer than Ananya in certain aspects. The reason I say this is because during the theater rounds, they made montage of Bhavya and Ananya singing the same song, and Bhavya was much better. This particular song suited her really well. If she doesn’t make it to the Top 12, I’ll be really disappointed because she’s another one who stands a solid chance of winning this competition.

KK: I’d like to tell you that you are my favorite contestant here. I’m a live performer and I don’t know how to dance. But I just move in a way that comes naturally to me. People usually support that naturalness. (it was a weird comment to translate into English!)
SB: Wanted to see KK dance in his “natural” manner. LOL! Bhavya, you sang really well and we had fun because your expressions were good. I like the way you moved around.
AM: I liked your performance but there was only one problem. You went off-key at the end. This usually happens because people think that they’ve reached the finish line sooner than they really have. But you have to see it all the way through to the end. But you sang well.
JA: I really liked your song. The tune is simple, but Asha Bhonsle has made it colorful with her expressions. You’ve done the same thing.
PC: If you don’t mind, how old are you (she’s 16). At 16, you’ve infused a type of emotion into it that only comes after a certain maturity level. You’ve made it naïve and seductive at the same tim, which was a great combination, especially at 16.

Deepa’s Rating: 8.5/10


Pooja Ghosh – Sajanaji Vari Vari

Now this girl is pretty talented, but is definitely overshadowed by the more outgoing of her peers. She was fairly confident on stage, but doesn’t seem like she has much of a personality, which unfortunately will matter in the public voting. So I will say that her song was good, but it wasn’t good enough to get her through to the next round. She’s my first prediction for tomorrow’s elimination.

One thing that did come out from her introduction video they showed on her is that she is self-conscious about her weight and seems to struggle with it quite a bit. This became a matter for discussion with Priyanka and Sonali.

JA: You had the correct about of sharpness necessary for this song. It was good.
KK: You were involved in your song and had the proper emotions, but you need to improve your singing just a little bit.
AM: You brought the house down. You were in tune, but you should now learn to challenge yourself. This was a simple song.
SB: Definitely, you had a good presentation. The song was peppy, and you’re looking lovely.
PC: Indian Idol is a performer. Definitely, the essence of the show is singing, which you have to know and do well. But basically, you have to entertain, and that’s what you did to me today. You entertained.

Then Hussein mentioned that Pooja was nervous about her weight. Priyanka chimed in and said that she hadn’t noticed Pooja’s weight until she mentioned it because she is so talented that her attention was on her singing. The other thing is that if you have confidence, you can get away with even the biggest lie. Perception is reality. But I do also agree that for health reasons, it is important to take care of yourself. I don’t believe I size zero. I work out so that I can eat. And the fuller you are, the more there is to love.

Deepa’s Rating: 6.5/10


Shini Kalvint – Dil Hoom Hoom Kare

First of all, Shini has an awesome taste in music, as is evident by her song selection. This song has so much potential when it is given to the right singer. Composed by the legendary Bhupen Hazarika and sung by Lata Mangeshkar, this haunting melody is one that very few singers would dare to select in a competition such as this. After all, who wants to crash and burn on your first time on national television? So I really, really hoped that Shini would get it right.

Here’s what went down: she was technically good, but it was missing energy. Even though the song is mellow, it has a certain energy, a vibe that Lataji infused into it to make it so unique. Shini didn’t quite meet the expectations that had been laid out. But with that said, I think she definitely did well enough to advance to next week!

JA: You’re from Gwalior, where Tansen’s darga is located. I feel that only a girl from such a town can sing like this. (meant, of course, as a compliment).
SB: I’ve always had a soft spot for you because I really liked when you auditioned and your husband came with you. And today, you’ve sang so well that I’m happy.
AM: There’s no doubt that you words were clear and you had perfect sur. But remember one thing: put emotions and passion into your singing.
KK: There has been a big improvement in all the singers. This competition is going to be difficult for the world and it’s a good thing that we raised the bar.
PC: Shini, you definitely sang well. And this bar that has been raised makes me feel bad for the audience.

Deepa’s Rating: 8.5/10


Megha Sharma – Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfon

Megha has a unique voice, but she clearly went off-key in several places. This song has to be sung with a lot of character, and Megha’s singing doesn’t seem advanced enough to where she can pick up on the minor nuances. She’s my second prediction to be eliminated in the first round.

KK: I thought your song had too many imperfections so I didn’t like it too much. But I hope that God will be with you.
PC: I think you have a good voice quality with a lot potential. But I think you sang for us what you practiced. You have to get over your nervousness because confidence is the most important thing.
AM: You have a lovely voice, but it was off-key.
SB: You’re saying you were nervous and I believe you on that. But listen carefully to what the judges are saying because either it was overpracticed or you were concentrating too much on expressions. But there was definitely a problem. If you’ve reached this level, then each small mistake seems like a big one. You have to be much more careful.
JA: This was the weakest performane so far.

Deepa’s Rating: 6/10


Torsha Sarkar – Baiyaan Na Dharo

I was darn excited about Torsha’s performance because she’s my favorite female contestant. I’ve been rooting for her since the auditions. I think she has a powerful voice that makes people just want to keep listening. With this performance, she basically solidified her spot near the top of the hierarchy of this year’s female contestants. Her performance was mindblowing.

PC: You’re so perfect in your tuning that you could take them anywhere and it would be okay. The second thing, you put in a lot of emotion in the song. That’s why I really enjoyed your performance.
AM: You had good harkats (I can’t translate this word!), but you concentrated so much on them, that you went off-key. For me, it was okay singing. It was not great. (Here, Priyanak disagreed.)
KK: I disagree with Anu Malik. I liked your singing very much and hope that the entire country supports you and listens to what I’m saying. (Here, AM and KK got into a little tiff)
SB: The voice is so wonderful that I think the audience should never lose out on this voice.
JA: First, I will say that your voice is beautiful. It’s really exceptional. This voice has a body, a presence. You can see it.

Deepa’s Rating: 10/10


Purnima Vishwanathan – Beedi Jalaile

Purnima was one of the first people selected to enter the Top 30 after the theater rounds, but at that time I wasn’t too impressed by her. This song didn’t change my opinion. She seems like a lovely girl, but definitely chose the wrong song to bring out her talent. Her voice was not suited to it at all. Yes, she was in tune for the most part, but she needed to infuse something a little extra to make this a special performance. I don’t see her being eliminated tomorrow, but she does need to work much harder.

AM: Your performance didn’t touch me.
KK: I didn’t like your performance that much.
PC: You were a little shaky in the beginning but after that, you picked it up really well.
SB: I hope you have the chance and I hope you can make it to the next round. But this time around, I was disappointed.
JA: This wasn’t your best performance, but sometimes, even the best player gets out.

Deepa’s Rating: 7.5/10


Akanksha Palkar – Tujhse Naraz Nahi Zindagi

You DO NOT mess with this song unless you know you can do it perfectly. This was a big mistake on Akanksha’s part. She clearly went off-sur in a few places. It was a good effort, but not good enough to register an impact. Now Puja Chatterjee sang it last season, and she was amazing. Akanksha’s rendition was disappointing, at best. She’s my third prediction for elimination.

JA: I think she dragged the ending notes out too much. It was okay, but it didn’t touch my heart.
SB: This is a sensitive song that requires expression. That was missing in your performance. But I like your voice and I really wish to see you next week.
PC: Your voice has a good texture but the beginning of every line requires a softness. That was missing. Your began each line really harshly. I think the soul in the song was missing.
KK: You must have an idea of what we expected from your performance and how well you have met those expectations.
AM: Your diction was good. You were in key and sometimes you went off-key. But I wouldn’t like to lose you either.

Deepa’a Rating: 6/10


Sourabhee Debbarma – Tere Bin Nahi Jeena Marjaana

I think Sourabhee was the surprise package of the evening. She was amazing! They said something about Hindi not being her native language, but that hardly matters when you have someone as talented as Sourabhee. I really enjoyed her performance. If she plays her cards right, and keeps giving power-packed performances, she may well turn out to be the dark horse of the competition. That is, if the people don’t vote her out first!

AM: I’m surprised that you chose this song because you don’t speak the language fluently. You mixed up the words in the song, but I have to give you credit because you’ve sang well. You sang such a complicated song with so much ease. You surprised me today.
KK: Your song really impressed me. (And then Kailash was inspired to sing the original song in Punjabi!).
PC: You inspired Kailashji to sing like that. I got goosebumps at least three or four times!
SB: You were fantastic. Thank you.
JA: She’s a girl from Agartala who is signing in Hindi in Mumbai with Punjabi words. And all of India is listening. There is no other country where this can happen.

Deepa’s Rating: 9/10


Nirali Fauzdar – Aisa Jadoo Dala Re

Nirali is the girl from Ahmedabad who should have been in the Top 30 from the beginning, but was eliminated in the final moments of the theater round. But as fate would have it, Nirali got a second chance to enter the Top 30 when another contestant had to drop out. I can’t tell you how excited I am about this. I love Nirali and think she definitely deserves this chance. And she gave a rocking performance! But of course she would – she has to show the judges that they shouldn’t have eliminated her in the first place! Way to go Nirali!

AM: This is the first time this has happened – that she was on the waiting list and was able to make it (uhhhh….hello?? Did you forget about Anuj from Season 2?) Kailash fought a lot for her. So I’ll say that when Kailash fights for something, it’s usually the right thing to fight for. You sang really well.
KK: Whenever you sing live, don’t worry about being loud. There is a technique for when you have to be loud – you have to hold the mike away from your mouth. Just as you have to balance mind, hand, and legs when driving a car, you have to apply those principles when singing. I’m really happy to see you here in this round.
JA: You had energy, and a new style. (And then something about her name which I couldn’t translate because I don’t know what Nirali or Fauzdar means).
SB: Nirali, we felt really bad in the last round and Kailash was your really strong supporter. At that time, you asked why it always happens that something doesn’t work out in the end stage. Never again say that. This has never happened, but it has happened with you. Take it as God’s gift and take it to the end. We’ll be so happy to see you there.
PC: I love your confidence and I really thought that as a performer, you were fabulous.

Deepa’s Rating: 8/10


Tulika Ganguly – Rangeela Re

Tulika’s song choice is definitely going to work to her advantage because people love this song. So basically, all she needed to do was get up there and sing it with energy, which she did. She was also in sur for the most part. It was a decent performance, but next time, I’d like to see something different from her. And, it helps that she’s cute and spunky, too, I suppose! Kailash definitely has a little crush here…LOL.

KK: I’m really happy with your performance. I give you all my good wishes and ask the voters not to eliminate you. (HAHA…this cracks me up!)
SB: Have you noticed that Kailash hasn’t said anything about your singing? (Here, Anu chimes in and says forget sur, just think about the smile!) You’ve sang and performed well.
JA: Very good performance. I’m sure that you’re going to be in the next round.
PC: I thought you went off-sur in a few places. (Javed Akhtar said that he thought she didn’t go off sur but split her voice on purpose).
AM: Some stupid couplet which basically said she’s going to make it to the next round! You have a great smile, a great face, and a very happening voice because Indian Idol is all about attitude, personality and voice. And you’re carrying it out well.

Deepa’s Rating: 7.5/10


Srijita Kar – Chithhiye

This is another song of Lata Mangeshkar that is practically untouchable. Srijita started off shaky but sort of picked up in the antara. It was a decent effort, but she was too imperfect for me to enjoy it. Her voice was missing a certain level of polish that is required for this song. But I agree with Priyanka and Anu – she should be allowed to give another performance next week.

JA: She was not able to touch the higher notes and in fact, stopped just short of hitting them. It didn’t seem like effortless singing.
KK: You didn’t sing the first verse completely. And then you didn’t perform all the harkats from the second verse. (How do you say harkat in English?). It wasn’t as deep as it should have been.
SB: You have a sweet voice, but your performance today was not up to the mark for me.
AM: You have to challenge yourself and pick a song that shows that you have a method and a capability to sing. You have both, and I will ask the people to please not vote you out because you are good.
PC: You’re from Jaipur, and so am I. So naturally, I will feel some partiality toward you. But overall, I really enjoyed your performance, not because you’re from Jamshedpur, but because of your voice. I really think you have a good voice quality and a lot of potential.

Deepa’s Rating: 6.5/10


Sunakshi Raina – Mast

Okay, this is the girl that carries around that annoying teddy bear, a habit which detracts from her exceptional singing ability and makes people not like her very much. Bad move, Sunakshi. She seems like a naïve little girl but she sang this song with a lot of maturity. It was a great performance. Now, if only she’s get rid of that thing.

JA: Well done! Very good. I can’t find any fault in it.
SB: Fantastic. The whole package is superb.
KK: I’ve learned some words in English and I must use those: she’s a killer, man! HAHAHA.
PC: I didn’t expect it. When we see you, you’re a little kid. But you’re a powerhouse.
AM: (He’s scared of the teddy bear!!). She sang really well.

Deepa’s Rating: 8/10 (I would’ve given her a 9 had it not been for the teddy bear).


Raina Lahiri – Mera Dil Yeh Pukare Aaja

This show has gone on for about 2 hours now, so I’m naturally getting exhausted with all this writing! But, we are down to the final two performers. Raina was another one of those contestants that slipped into the Top 30 undetected. She didn’t appear in any of the previous episodes, so I didn’t have much to go by except her performance on this day, and was I disappointed! It was an awful performance. She is my fourth and final prediction for elimination.

KK: I’m not that happy today. But I’m not India and I hope that the audience will listen to you carefully.
SB: I felt that there was breath being taken where there shouldn’t be, or something was going wrong. In my opinion, a singer should know where to take a breath.
PC: The essence of the song was missing. I can’t really point out exactly what was wrong, but it didn’t make an impact on me. I’m really sorry.
AM: We want a singer that understands every feeling, and today you did not. I’m sorry.
JA: This didn’t seem like professional singing. But it should be mentioned that her voice is a very individual voice, one that has not been heard before.

Deepa’s Rating: 5/10


Priyanka Negi – Khwab Dekhe Jhoote Moote

This was a perfect way to end the show. Priyanka was a little fireball on stage. She sang well, performed well, and basically threw down. I don’t really like this song, but Priyanka made it enjoyable. I hope she makes it to the next round!

SB: I must say that you’ve made a vast improvement after auditions.
KK: Because you’ve shown such improvement, I will ask the audience not to lose you. Indian Idol is for you.
PC: I think like your name, your singing is beautiful! As a complete entertainer, I really liked your performance.
AM: Your singing is full of life.
JA: This was among the top three performances in the whole episode.

Deepa’s Rating: 8.5/10

And with that ended the episode. Stay tuned for the girls’ eliminations and boys performances!



Girls Episode

Ananya Mishra
"Suno Sajna"

Bhavya Pandit
"Paan Khaye Saiya Hamaar"

Pooja Ghosh
"Sajana Ji Wari Wari"

Shini Kalvint
"Dil Ghoom Ghoom Kare"

Megha Sharma

Torsha Sarkar
"Baiyan na dharo"

Purnima Vishwanathan
"Bidi Jalai le"

Akanksha Palkar
"Tujshe Naraj Nahin"

Sourabhee Debbarma
"Tere Bin Nahin Jeena"

Nirali Fauzdar
"Aisa Jadoo Dala Re"

Tulika Ganguly
"Rangeela Re"

Srijita Kar
"Le Ja Le Ja Sandesh"

Sunaikshi Raina
"Mast"

Raina Lahiri
"Mera Dil Ye Pukare"

Priyanka Negi