In a keenly contested battle 18-year-old Ishmeet Singh of Ludhiana pipped Lucknow's Harshit Saxena to emerge as the Voice of India. However, this result was immediately put under media scrutiny after the actual result in figures weren't declared on stage. Clearly not a favourite with all, Ishmeet's victory has sparked a raging debate.

We spoke to the man in the eye of the storm Ishmeet Singh. The singer bares his heart to tellychakkar.

You've lost out to Harshit in three zones but you've won this title on account of your victory in the north. Your critics argue that you're not the voice of the nation but the voice of Northern India. Comment

Just because I've won from the North doesn't mean that people from other parts of the country haven't voted for me. I've lost out marginally in the other zones. I expected people form the North to vote for me in huge numbers and it's precisely these votes that have made me the Voice of India.

But you've bagged just 63 per cent votes from the North. How can it be enough to over turn your deficit of 4, 20 and 10 per cent in East, West and South zone respectively?

People will suspect foul play. However these percentages don't reveal the exact results. As I have said before, I've only lost marginally in other zones. For instance, if only 100 votes came from the south and I've got 45, it just a loss of 10 votes. When it comes to aggregate voting that's where I've nudged ahead.

Did you lose hope after it was declared that Harshit was the winner from the other three zones?

Not really. If you are looking at the voting pattern in all reality shows, the maximum number of votes are generated from the North. As a North Indian myself, I was confident of winning here. However, I must admit that I didn't expect to win on account of just these votes.

Prior to the grand finale, VOI held a show in Ludhiana. Was that the turning point for you?

Well, this entire show has been a turning point in my life. It's just not Ludhiana but wherever I've performed people have voted for me.


Reality show winners are erased from memories after the show is over. Is there a worry that you could go the same way?

Winning this contest has merely opened the door to many struggles. I'm prepared to put in the hard work and I promise you that I shall remain in one's memory for the next 20-30 years. I aspire to sing for every Bollywood actor. For the records, noted music director Uttam Singh has already signed me for a film.


Abhas was adjudged as the best singer by the jury. Does that mean in their opinion you weren't good enough to win the VOI title?

Abhas won the jury award by being the best amongst the other eliminated contestants. That didn't include Harshit and me. After all, the judges themselves felt that the two best made it to the finals.


Females never make it to the top in such reality shows. Are females unpopular with the viewers?

Well, I too don't know the exact reason for this but I'm of the opinion that these shows are mainly watched by girls and ideally they like to vote for a man. The men reciprocate by voting for the females. However, most men hardly watch television and that could be reason for females not winning.


You earlier stated that your father too wanted to be a singer but buckled under family pressures. It must be proud moment for him today?

My father's dream has been fulfilled today. Though he's here tonight I'm yet to interact with him after winning this title. He always wanted me to become a singer but my mother resisted even after I came to this competition.

After some 6 weeks, my mother wanted me to pull out as she didn't want me to miss out on my academic year. I even contemplated acceding to her request. However, my father, my friends persuaded me to carry on and here I'm today standing as the victor. After this night, I'm sure my mom will have no hassles.


Now that you've missed out on a year, do you intend to quit studies?

Never. Education has always been a priority for me. I was doing my second year B.com when I came to VOI. I'll also be appearing for the Chartered Accountancy exams. For the moment, I'll dedicate another 6 months to music. Thereafter, I'll continue my studies.