Bindaas bole to...

At a time when reality shows are getting bad press for putting undue pressure on children participating in reality talent hunts, here’s another version. At first sight they seem like any other kids from the block. Dressed their age, jovial and smiling, Mitika Kanwar and Sunvinder Singh took a breather from the Zee TV sets and arrived in the city for a tete-a-tete. While Sunvinder is student of class 12 from Ludhiana, Mitika is a city girl and a second year student of psychology at GCG-11. She’s also the daughter of well-known Punjabi music director Kanwar Iqbal. Together Mitika and Sunvinder are on a roll with Zee’s uber popular show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge that’s stepped into a new season with new formats and mentors.

“I represent music director Pritam’s gharana,” mentioned the soft-spoken Kanwar who has been under her father’s wing as far as formal training goes. “So far I have trained in Hindustani classical and it’s a new experience for me to sing Western,” admits Mitika. Alongside the young Sunvinder is part of Himesh Reshammiya’s Rock gharana. “Interestingly, I went for the auditions of the show just for some fun with my friends. I never realised that I would actually get so far,” laughs Singh.

If you thought training with their mentors, getting to perform in front of celebrities, rubbing shoulders with seniors such as Asha Bhonsle were daunting tasks, well, these strapping youngsters seem to be doing it all with elan. “I must admit that this show has given me a lot of confidence. I had never performed on stage until now. I am fast letting go of my inhibitions,” tells Mitika while Sunvinder who recently got candid with Mallika Sherawat on the sets has no qualms in admitting he’s far from being nervous. “On the contrary, facing celebrities and singing for them gets me excited,” he answers.