'Indian Idol gave me a makeover'

Twenty-year-old, Shivam Pathak from Lakhimpur (UP), judge Sunidhi Chauhan's Jerry mouse is the latest contestant to bow out of Indian Idol 5, on Tuesday.

Now Bhoomi Trivedi is the only female contestant left with Swaroop Khan, Rakesh Maini and Sreeram. The finale is expected to take place on August 15.

Over to Shivam Pathak...

Did the elimination come as a shock to you?

Yes. But this is not the end for me. I gave my best and I'm happy with all my performances.

You couldn't sing your farewell song...

Yes. I told myself that I won't cry if I get eliminated but I just couldn't help myself. Since I didn't want my last performance to be a bad one, I requested Sunidhi to sing my favourite song (from the film My Brother Nikhil).

Do you think the judges' veto power should have been used for you?

As per the rule the judges can use it only once and they had already used it for Rakesh Maini [last week]. 

So how was your Idol journey?

It was awesome. I got to meet all the talented people from the industry. This is my first reality show so I learnt how to talk to the media and face the camera. I kind of had a makeover also. When I entered Indian Idol, I was thin and sported a beard and moustache. Now I'm all cleaned up. I have put on a little weight too [smiles].

Your best moment on Idol?

There are many but my favourite one would be when Mithunda took me for a drive in his Mercedes. I had to pinch myself to believe that I was sitting with him and chatting in his car.

Second would be when I flew for the first time to Bhopal for an Indian Idol concert. I wished I could have taken my parents along.

Tell us something about the judges...

All the judges encouraged us to face the challenges. They have been equally kind to all of us. I felt honoured especially when Sunidhiji wept for me when I got eliminated. Sunidhiji is my favourite female playback singer. My only wish is to sing a duet with her.

Can you tell us something about yourself?

I come from a very small town Lakhimpur (in Uttar Pradesh). My father is a banker and my mother is a housewife. I have two sisters. I completed my 12th standard and came to Mumbai to pursue my studies in hardware and networking. After my course I became interested in music and started training under Guru Shri Suresh Wadkarji. I live in my guruji's house. He helped me understand my voice and shape it.

Who do you think will win Indian Idol?

I would prefer Rakesh bhaiyya or Sreeram bhaiyya.

Are you going to miss your friends?

Definitely, especially Swaroop Khan.

Can you share some interesting incident with readers?

Yes. We had lots of fun with Sunidhiji. She organised a picnic for us at Lonavala and surprised us by coming along.

The other two judges Anu Malik and Salim Merchant have promised you a song?

Yes, I hope that I can live up to their expectations.

What are your future plans?

I will continue to learn from my guru.