Indian Idol winner Salman Ali talks about how social media is becoming an easier platform for budding artists to showcase their talent. By Chahak Mittal

When Salman Ali sang Karu Main Tera Sajda for the first time on the stage of Indian Idol season 10 as he auditioned for the talent hunt show, there were three speechless judges and applause all around to commend his voice that had limitless capacities. Who knew he would survive a fierce 25-week competition emerging as the winner?

Well, it hasn’t been easy even for someone who began singing at the age of seven, or so he believes. Salman, who hails from a family of professional singers, said that struggle is a part of everyone’s life and the only way out is to put your heart and soul into whatever one’s passion is.

The singer believed that everyone’s aim while entering such a show is to win. “So was mine. To win. Even though I never expected that it might come true for me, but I did all my efforts into it to make it happen. I also thank all the viewers and audience who voted for me,” he said.

When asked what has been one of the most memorable experiences while being a contestant on the reality TV show? He revealed that it was meeting the two Khans — Shah Rukh and Salman — and singing with the veteran singer Kumar Sanu that he “will cherish all his life. They joined me in my performance, liked it and wished me luck. What better a thing than that?”

While there have been numerous debates on how reality TV shows work in the real scenario and that do they even help the young aspiring artists battling to win?

Salman, who has also been a part of the reality TV show, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs during his childhood, said, “It does mount to a tough competition where you feel that you might lose or someone else is better than what you have to offer. But the biggest thing is your resistance and determination throughout the period of struggle.”

However, reality TV talent hunt shows do help the budding artists to a bit come closer to their dreams, he felt. “It is not just about appearing on national TV and that so many people are able to watch you. It is also about how you as a person evolve. Honestly, Neha Kakkar (mam) and all the mentors have been really helpful to make me grow as a person as well as a singer.”

He talked about the rehearsals and the rigorous routine that they have to follow. “We have to rehearse over and over for one song. It’s a tough schedule but important to follow,” said he.

As more and more people are engaging themselves on social media and targeting it as a platform to showcase their talents, which medium is the easier one? Salman answered, “Definitely, it’s social media. People today have online channels to showcase their dancing, singing, and even magic talents. They don’t have to wait for a particular show on TV to showcase what they have. Though, yes it takes time to get noticed there. The competition has risen.”

The 20-year-old singer, who has been awarded with Rs 25 lakh cash prize, and a Datsun car, said that he will use the amount particularly to boost his singing career. “I am looking forward to collaborate with Vishal Dadlani (sir) as he promised one to me on the show. I want to try out my luck in singing for Bollywood films as a playback singer,” he said.

However, he will also try out “acting” in Bollywood now that he is “done with his singing,” he laughed.