'My father pushed and motivated me'

Reality shows prove to be a great platform for some aspiring youngsters. While singing reality shows began with Sa re ga ma pa in India, the country is now flooded with shows like India’s Got Talent, Indian Idol and many more.

Vipul Mehta, the 24-year-old Indian Idol 6 winner, thinks pretty much the same. In conversation with Metrolife, he elucidated about his journey, his struggles and his experiences in singing so far.

“I started singing when I was five. I got all the motivation and keenness for music from my father, who used to sing Punjabi folk music in college. Thus, all my initial informal learning in singing was from him,” says Mehta.

While Indian Idol was the young achiever’s first platform to give shape to his dreams, he has previously been part of Sa re ga ma pa children’s special and Voice of India (2008), another reality show which was aired on Star Plus.

“Participating in these reality shows was my father’s vision. He always pushed me and motivated me to continue with my dream. However, luck didn’t favour since I couldn’t win both these shows. But it was only after my failure at Voice of India that I got extremely passionate about winning a title,” he adds.

It was in 2012 that Mehta finally got a chance to pursue his dream while he bagged the Indian Idol fame. He says, “The day I gave my first auditions for Indian Idol, I think god was with me. From those auditions to every single round in the competition, it was a journey worthwhile!”

Ask him about his achievements after Indian Idol, and he proudly claims, “My first song ‘Ishq da Panga’ will be released in October. It is from the movie ‘Wedding Pulao’ which is directed by debutante Vinod Pradhan, who has previously worked as a cinematographer for movies like Dhoom, Krish and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.”

However, for Mehta, the struggle didn’t end even after winning Indian Idol. “If I go back in time three years ago, the struggle has been immense before I got my first song.

Nonetheless, I credit all my success and present status to such reality shows, wherein young visionaries like myself, get an effective platform to shape up their careers.”

“Given all the challenges,” he continues, “that I came across during Indian Idol, I think one can overcome all kind of situations after being a part of such reality shows.”

Meanwhile, he is currently involved with Universal Music Company in Mumbai and is also working for the release of his fist single ‘Roobaroo’ in September this year. About his ultimate goal in life, “To win a National Award in music,” he ends with commendable enthusiasm.