Salim Merchant

It is the last thing one would expect on a birthday. But for the 19-year-old pretty <a href=http://www.tellychakkar.com/news/tia-out-indian-idol>Tia Kar</a>, her elimination from <em><a href=http://www.tellychakkar.com/news/entertainment-3-replace-indian-idol-5>Indian Idol</a></em> was not what she expected she would get. While judges had been predicting her elimination for a long time, she managed to stay on – partly due to her luck and partly due to her charming on-stage presence. TellyChakkar spoke to the teenager who broke down many times during the interview.

<a href=http://www.tellychakkar.com/news/vishwas-first-get-indian-idol-5-boat>Vishwas Rai</a>, the 29-year-old singer from Allahabad was the first one to go from <a href= http://www.tellychakkar.com/news/abhijeet-sawant-not-be-part-gala-rounds>Indian Idol-5</a>. Though the judges always praised him looks like the viewers didn’t care much for his talent. TellyChakkar speaks to him to find out what went wrong. <strong>It must have been tough...</strong>

He with brother Sulaiman has composed many a hit song in the recent past – from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi to <em>Fashion</em> and <em>Kurbaan</em>. But as with most people working behind the camera, little was known of Salim-Sulaiman. It was only after Salim Merchant appeared on television as a judge for <em>Indian Idol Season 5</em> did people start knowing more about the soft-spoken, mild-mannered music director. TellyChakkar spoke to Salim at the event introducing the 17 shortlisted singers in <em>Indian Idol 5</em>. <strong>How was the audition phase for <em>Indian Idol</em>?</strong>