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'Indian Idol 2' finalists optimistic about title fight
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, April 4 (IANS) As the "Indian Idol 2" talent hunt approaches its grand finale, the three finalists - N.C. Karunya, Sandeep Acharya and Anuj Sharma - are upbeat about their chances of winning the coveted title but say their friendship is above everything.

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Karunya: I am very confident about myself. But being confident isn't enough. I also need public support... So do my colleagues Sandeep and Anuj. They will give me tough competition... On stage we are competitors. Otherwise, Sandeep, Anuj and me are buddies. We won't allow external pressures to break our unity. We have made a pact to remain together regardless of who becomes the "Indian Idol". 

Do people really say I'll be the Indian Idol? There's a lot of difference between what's said and the voting pattern. Why, I don't know. Yes, I know the judges love me. I am very thankful to them. No matter what the results would be, I intend to pursue a career in singing in Mumbai. I gave up my engineering and came to Hyderabad only to become an Indian Idol... not to be the first or second runner-up. But if I don't win the title, I won't lose confidence. I'll think god has bigger plans for me. 

Fan following? It's suddenly on me and I have no choice but to deal with it. It does feel nice. But the attention embarrasses me. I wonder what my parents back home in Hyderabad would be thinking.

Sandeep: Yes, I am nervous about the outcome. But the stress to perform isn't that much any longer. I know I have made it to the top three. I am doing my best. I consider the competition to be really tough. Both Anuj and Karunya are very good singers. And I'd be foolish to undermine their talent. 

The three of us are friends for ever. In the past few weeks all three of us have been a support system for one another. I agree we are competitors but our bonding goes beyond that. 

I am from Bikaner and have been struggling in Mumbai for three years. My aim is to be a playback singer. My struggle to sing well will continue even after "Indian Idol".

Anuj: The feeling of being in the top three is beyond words. I can't believe Karunya, Sandeep and I have come so far! Yes, there was an ugly incident a few weeks ago when people protested at the elimination of Ameya Dutta. 

I was pained and shocked. The judges and the audience were all discussing why Ameya should remain in the competition. But no one asked me how it felt to be dismissed in such a rude manner. Very frankly, I was numbed. Why was it happening to me? When I was about to be voted out earlier, no one had spoken up for me. And if they (fans) loved Ameya so much, why didn't they vote for him? 

I thought it was wrong. I wanted to quit there and then. I felt like a loser. I felt I had no business standing there on the platform. But the judges assured me they had nothing against me and praised me in my very next performance. 

I have been singing since my childhood. I used to sing in my mother tongue Himachali (I am from Kangra). Now I have a chance to sing in Hindi. "Indian Idol" has given me a national platform. I plan to continue my struggle in Mumbai. 

'Indian Idol 2' winner Sandeep to bring out album
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, April 23 (IANS) Sandeep Acharya, who won Sony's popular "Indian Idol 2" singing contest that had millions across the country glued to television sets, says he was confident of victory and plans to release his first solo album soon. 

Sandeep won over N.C. Karunya, the popular and discernibly better singer from Hyderabad, in the closely fought talent show Saturday night.

"I was confident of winning, though I wished all the best to my competitor and friend Karunya. Even if I had lost, I wouldn't have regretted. But having won, I feel a terrific sense of satisfaction," Sandeep, from the small town of Bikaner, told IANS after winning the title. 

"I am too dazed to decide what I want to do next. But yes, an album is definitely going to happen immediately," he added. 

Sandeep confidently sang Mohammad Rafi's "Gulabi aankhen", Udit Narayan's (whom Sandeep idolises) "Ruk ja ae dil deewane" and the Sonu Nigam qawwalli "Tumse milkar".

But no one suspected that defeat awaited Karunya who stunned the judges and star guest Kajol with his impeccable rendering of "Sayoni", "Badan pe sitare lapete huey" and "One love".

When the results came there was a look of stunned disbelief on everyone's face. But the audience poll triumphed over qualitative evaluations. In fact, Karunya had expressed his misgivings earlier during the evening. 

He said: "The voting from Sandeep's home state Rajasthan shows a clear partiality towards him. I believe it is like 90:10 ratio. Of course, I am confident of winning. But if I don't, it won't be a blow. I'll continue doing what I am here to do - sing." 

The show had innumerable highlights. The two finalists put up a brave fight against each other as the three judges - Farah Khan, Sonu Nigam and Anu Malik - joined by star-judge Kajol who for some strange reason squinted her eyes throughout to catch the razzmatazz, cheered clapped and even wept. 

Farah's eyes turned moist when all the 12 contestants from over the months came on stage to sing the "Indian Idol" theme song "Woh pehli baar".

Karunya dedicated his performances to his mother who celebrated her 50th birthday during the finals. 
  
Bikaner jubiliates over Sandeep Acharya's victory
Indo-Asian News Service

Bikaner, April 23 (IANS) It was celebration time in Bikaner, the home town of Sandeep Acharya who became "Indian Idol-2", as people danced, distributed sweets and lit fireworks to express their joy at his becoming the country's latest singing sensation.

The entire city went wild with jubilation as soon as Sandeep was announced the winner of Sony television's nation-wide singing competition. Hundreds of people thronged the streets of the city Saturday night and expressed their delight by dancing to film songs. People distributed sweets and greeted each other on the victory of their city's newest star.

"We have been waiting for this moment for the last 22 weeks. It is a matter of great pride for us that a boy from our city has attained such incredible heights. He has not only made his family proud but has also set an example for his peers and new generation," said R.K. Goswami, a resident.

It was as though the festivals of Holi and Diwali had together descended on the city. Fireworks were on display late into the night, while many people smeared each other with 'gulal' (dry colours). Celebrations on such a large scale not only amused the locals but also bewildered tourists in the city.

Many of them participated in the song and dance, despite being unaware of the reason behind the celebrations. 

"It is really fun. We were surprised as people suddenly came on to roads, started dancing and sharing sweets. A group of localities even dragged us and we all danced together," said Michele, a French tourist.

For the fans of Sandeep, who gathered in huge numbers outside his house, the newly-crowned Indian Idol is no less that a super star. 

"The desert city of Bikaner has got a new identity and the people will remember it as the city of an Indian idol. For the last three months, we have prayed for him and have been requesting the people from Rajasthan and outside to help our boy to get through the finals and we have succeeded. It is not only the Sandeep who has won but it is a victory of the efforts of the people of Bikaner," said Vishal Jain, a fan of Sandeep.