Striking an off key note over the just concluded Sa Re Ga Ma Pa reality show Ismail Darbar has launched a scathing attack on the organisers of Indian television’s oldest reality show.

“The organisers have not played fair. The best singer was Amanat and Raja was the favourite. It’s obvious the votes were rigged.The counting process was not transparent. I am not happy with the results,” said Ismail Durbar.

But the organizers are not unduly bothered and say it is a case of sour grapes as the finalist from Durbar’s gharana Amaanat Ali did not win.

Controversies notwithstanding sky rocketing TRPs ensure that reality shows are money-spinners. But with allegations of reshooting to pump up action and rigging of public feedback by a judge at that the dividing line between reality and fiction has been blurred.

The Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007, has earned Zee TV close to Rs 120 crore from advertisements and sponsors for its 26 episodes, which is the highest revenue per episode collected by a reality show in the history of Indian television.

But the biggest compliment came from Amanat’s mentor Ismail Darbar, who announced that Amanat was a contestant, worthy of receiving ‘the special gift’ from him. It may be recalled that a few weeks ago, Darbar had revealed his intention of giving away his most valuable acquisition of 25 years to the best contestant in the show. But he hadn’t revealed what the gift is. Although it is speculated that the special gift could be the one and only award that Darbar has won for composing the music in the film ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ or it may be the violin.

Here is the video of Amanat Ali’s spectaculat performance on ‘Ye Hosala’ (from movie Dor – original singer Shafaqat Ali Khan)

Technorati: saregamapa, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007, saregamapa challenge 2007

Ismail Darbar has struggled a lot during his career. He worked for 14 years as a session violist for leading music directors Laxmikant Pyarelal, Kalyanji Anandji, Bappi Lahiri, Rajesh Roshan, Anand-Milind, Nadeem-Shravan, Jatin-Lalit and even A.R.Rahman. Finally he got the break with the film ‘Hum Dil De Chike Sanam’.

Here is an exclusive video of ‘Ismail Darbar’s Violin performance’

As ID was busy with shooting and spending time with contestants, he could not celebrate his birthday with his family.. All the 4 boys sing a song for Ismailji and a man comes blowing the trumpet..

When Aditya asks what is the relationship he has with this song, ID says “This is the song which made him the music director..” His father blow the trumpet in this song and after this he didnot come into this industry.. He then promised his father that he will take the revenge and become a very famous music director.. ID gets really emotional after hearing to this song..

At the end of episode, whole of his family comes to the set and they all cut cake.. ID calls Khayyam sahab and Rajesh Roshan to stage.. Everyone together sing a song for ID.. He then cuts the cake and gives the first piece to Khayyam sahab and then to Rajesh Roshan and all the mentors and every other people on stage..

Video of “Ismail Darbar’s Birthday Celebration”

Technorati: saregamapa, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007, saregamapa challenge 2007, Ismail Darbar