Moving on to another popular music contest - Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge. As it races to a finish in January 2006, the surprises spill out with frenzied furtiveness. After Salman Khan, the next celebrity judge is music aficionado Sanjay Leela Bhansali who will be seen on 2 and 3 December on Sa Re GA Ma Pa Challenge. Confirming the casting croon, the show's producer-director Gajendra Singh said, "We want music-minded showbiz icons to come and encourage the finalists. And what better choice than Bhansali? It must be remembered that Shreya Ghosal was picked up by Sanjay-ji from Sa Re GA Ma Pa. When he agreed to be a judge we were thrilled." Bhansali will host a Laxmikant-Pyarelal special on Sa Re GA Ma Pa Challenge. He's been diligently sifting through dozens of the composing duo's songs to find just the right tunes for the finalists. "We wanted the songs to be peppy and popular so that the contestants would be challenged and audiences enthused," reveals Gajendra Singh. Last week the 10 Sa Re GA Ma Pa finalists Ujjaini, Paresh, Debajit, Nihira, Twinkle, Himani, Rajiv, Hemchandra, Sharid and Vinit drove down to the outskirts of Mumbai where Sanjay Bhansali is holidaying, to meet the director.

"It was essentially to establish a comfort level, to let Sanjay-ji hear the contestants and decide what would suit them," reveal Gajendra.

The finalists continue to make their presence felt. Judge Himesh Reshamiyya who pushed and urged Vinit into getting maximum audience vote, has decided to reward his most popular pupil with a song for Mithun Chakraborty's son Mimoh in the latter's debut film.

"Never before have our contestants seen such quick results and responses to their abilities and talent. It comes from having music composers as judges," says Gajendra.

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After Rajiv Khandelwal left Balajee Telefilms' Kahiin To Hoga the late-night daily on Star Plus faced the same identity crisis as Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi after 'Mihir' Amarr Upadhyay's departure.

Says producer Ekta Kapoor, "The new Sujal is played by Gurdip. And he seems to have found acceptance as Sujal. My grandmother called me to ask if she could meet Sujal. When I told her he (Rajiv Khandelwal) was no longer part of Kahiin To Hoga, she corrected me. She wanted to meet Gurdip."

However there's a need in this popular soap to supplement the new Sujal with a fake serial. Iqbal Khan who plays Angad in the popular Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai is now part of Kahiin To Hoga. He plays an impostor masquerading as the hero Sujal.

Iqbal Khan who's up to his neck in his daily Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai has unquestioningly taken on the added responsibility at Balajee Telefilms. "I had decided I wouldn't be able to do anything more at this time. But when Ekta asked me to join Kahiin To Hoga there was no way I could say no. She's my saviors and bread-giver."

How's Iqbal managing? "I get up at 7 am, leave home by 9 pm and shoot the entire day for Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai. And then I proceed to shoot for Kahiin To Hoga till 10.30 in the night. After which I used to go for my dance rehearsals for my solo act in the Indian Telly Awards. It's a hectic dog's life. Only Allah gives me the strength to somehow manage."

Iqbal seems somewhat confused about how long he's expected to stay on Kahiin To Hoga with his rogue's act. But Ekta is more time-specific. "Iqbal is required for just 4-5 episodes. Yes, we do want to use his popularity on his other serial for Kahiin To Hoga."

Ekta reveals Iqbal is one of the most popular actors from her serials. "The other is Mohnish Behl. His entrance into Kahaanii Ghar Ghar Kii has done wonders for the serial's ratings and his popularity."

Iqbal Khan's Pic by: Vicky Ahuja
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's pic from: news.bbc.co.uk

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