Indian Idol Abhijeet Sawant and lyricist Javed Akhtar are finding it difficult to decide on who deserves to win the Indian Idol 2 singing contest - NC Karunya or Sandeep Acharya.
"Both Karunya and Sandeep are in their own way good," says Abhijeet, the debut winner of the Sony television contest last year.
"At the same time Karunya has the advantage of being a trained singer. But Sandeep has his own charm. Hopefully whatever the results, they should be satisfying for both the judges and the audience.
But I must say if Karunya loses the Idol I'll be disappointed. Sandeep has that voice quality which makes him popular".
Sandeep tends to imitate Udit Narayan?
"There was a time singers became successful by imitating Rafi Saab and Kishore Kumar. But now I think you need to find your voice immediately if you want to be successful. Sandeep follows Udit Narayan. But he needs to come into his own".
You were a guest judge on Indian Idol 2?
"It felt strange, I realised what a big responsibility it was to be a judge. I remember if Sonu Nigam would criticise my singing I couldn't sleep in the night. If your idol says you aren't doing well the feeling of defeat is indescribable."
You were a guest judge on Indian Idol 2?
"It felt strange, I realised what a big responsibility it was to be a judge. I remember if Sonu Nigam would criticise my singing I couldn't sleep in the night. If your idol says you aren't doing well the feeling of defeat is indescribable."
Whom would you vote for?
"If I've to vote for one of the two, it shall have to be Karunya."
Javed Akhtar, a judge on the contest, said: "Both Sandeep and Karunya are very good, though Karunya seems better trained. Sandeep's voice resembles Udit Narayan's.
It might be a coincidence. Or it might be conscious. When you begin as an artiste or a professional you always have a role model that you should outgrow as soon as possible. You need to find your own voice in life."
The final is being held Saturday night.