Winning Indian Idol 4 has changed my life. Even as a child, I used to fantasise about becoming a rock star. But there was very little chance of that happening in Tripura, where I grew up. Indian Idol changed all that. Now, people across the country know me and are appreciating my talent. It’s like a dream come true.

But it’s been a long journey — and all through it I believed in myself and in my dreams. I used to sing at every function in my school. I used to sing in the neighbourhood club and then in my college in Pune. And my family always encouraged me. My mother also wanted me to be a singer and my father would buy me all the latest music albums. I used to play cassettes or watch singers on TV, pick up the songs and keep practising on my own. But my parents made sure that I finished my studies first before taking up music full-time.

Last year, to my surprise, my father landed up in Pune while I was appearing for my final exams for my Bachelors in Business Administration degree. He told me he’d filled up the Indian Idol contest form on my behalf and that I’d been selected for the audition in Calcutta. A total of 157 contestants made it past the audition. It was challenging. And when the jury finally selected the top 30 and the audience voting began, it became scary.

But all’s well that ends well! Now, I may have to shift base to Mumbai as most of my assignments would be here. My first priority is to work on my music album and I’m excited beyond words.

(As told to Hoihnu Hauzel)