Though wild card entries are an accepted norm in any reality show their re-entry to the show often becomes a sore point for other contestants. The three contestants of Voice of India 2 who had made it to the top 3 before the format change have now slipped down to bottom 3, thanks to a format change demanded by the judges.

Saptaparna

Ravi, Saptaparna and Ritisha who were the top three contestants on the show after a tough battle of two and a half months suddenly found themselves in the tight spot. As per the demand by the judges’ three evicted participants Vipul, Zakir and Mallar have been brought back on the show. The format change gave the right to the judges to choose the top contestants thus leaving the remaining bottom three to the mercy of the public. Now the contestants who were voted to the top three positions have come down to the bottom three which as a result has disappointed and disheartened them. But they have accepted the challenge and are ready to set the stage on fire.

Tellychakkar caught up with the once top three contestants Ravi, Saptaparna and Ritisha who have now slipped to the bottom three and asked them about their views on the format change and how are they going to face the challenge. Exerpts:

Ravi

Do you justify the format change?

Ravi: The format has never been of primary concern to me but I feel the ones who are voted out by the public are not fit to be in the show and here we are talking about Voice of India where the public has all the right to choose the voice that will represent them. But a format change at the last stage means indirectly disrespecting the public and their decision. It is not fair to the contestants who have reached so far outperforming all others. I have been the highest voted contender on the show.

Saptaparna: I feel the format change is unfair to all of us. We have reached the final top three in the show and it was pretty shocking for all of us. Things don’t seem to be running in our favour.

Ritisha

Ritisha: I was shocked when the judges along with others decided to change the format of the show. I have put my studies at stake. I have just completed my 12th and got admission in the National Institute of Technology in Karnataka, which ranks 7 in the country. But as I chose to come in VOI, I took admission in a local college in Bangalore so I think it’s totally unfair.

Do you think the judges were unfair when they demanded a change in the format?

Ravi: Judges have all the rights to interfere and introduce amendments as they are the best in their genre of music. I am sure they will do the best for the show and us but I fear favouritism can happen in the show. I have been receiving numerous mails asking me to quit the show and at one point of time I was almost on the verge of quitting but it is the love of the public that I am still on the show.

Ritisha: I would not like to blame the judges as they wanted the best for the show. I too thought of quitting but I decided to respect the public who has been voting me throughout. One has to accept the challenges put across.

What do you have to say about the public support that you are getting?

Ravi: The immense support that I am receiving from the viewers across the country just shows how much they love us. Their response is overwhelming and the people are condemning the judges and the director. I feel so lucky to be a part of VOI and the reach of the show amazes me.

Ritisha: I believe it is the public that brings you to the limelight. I thank them for their support and faith that they had shown in me.

With the coming back of the three evicted contestants hasn’t the pressure increased?

Ravi: Pressure is the same but expectations have increased.

Saptaparna: It’s a situation of do or die. We will all have to give our best shot.

What are doing during this black- out period?

Ravi: We are enjoying the time off hanging out and I am basking in my new found status. It feels so special when people recognise me.

Saptaparna: I do my riyaz and with the strike on I have got that extra time to perfect my songs that I will sing in the next episode. I have been hanging out with my co-participants as when the show was on we hardly used to get time to go out. Also I have watched two movies Fashion and Golmaal Returns. I think with the time off we have got the opportunity to relax mentally as well.

Ritisha: Durign the free time I am doing a lot of riyaz. We go out for movies and do jam sessions. We do a lot of masti together. But I pray that the strike gets over as soon as possible.

What do you have to say about the current spurt in reality shows?

Ravi: Reality shows have been the biggest boom to TV. People who condemn such shows are the ones who don’t get a chance in these shows. I am game for reality shows even if it is a dance based reality show as I love dancing. Also they give you fame, recognition, love of the people and financial stability.