On a positive note- Rahul Vaidya

Ever since he lost in the Indian Idol competition it’s been a roller coaster ride for Rahul Vaidya but he’s not complaining. Pragya Paramita Rahul Vaidya has just released his first solo album but Sonu Nigam says he already considers him a competitor. For Vaidya, the contestant tipped to win Indian Idol but was voted out in the last rounds, the compliment from his favourite singer made him feel a winner. And eight months later Vaidya is out with his debut album Tera Intezar. “It feels wonderful to release this album,” says the young 18-year-old while lounging in the studio of a local radio channel in Kolkata. In a blue T-shirt and jeans he looks every bit the boy next door—an image that made him the darling of the masses. “My wait has not been long compared to a lot of other people and I am just 18,” he says. Tera Intezar is a romantic album about him and his journey through life. The tracks have been composed by Sajid-Wajid of Mujhse Shadi Karoge fame and the lyrics have been penned by Jalees Sherwani. “People appreciate good music and I hope they will like my music. I have already sung for Shaadi No.1, Jigyasa and Kisko Pyaar Karoge and a couple of other untitled movies,” he says a tad smugly. Rewinding to the past, Vaidya says he was immensely disappointed when he was voted out of Indian Idol. “ There was so much support from the judges and the audience that I thought I would go a long way. However things were meant to take a different turn and even though I was very disappointed I decided to be positive and think that even though I might have lost the one crore contract, I had picked up many other things that would really help me in my career as a singer,” he says. A student of eminent playback singer Sudesh Wadekar, Vaidya undertook Hindustani Classical lessons from him for almost six years. “Sudesh ji did not just teach me music but also taught me humanity.” The training led him to doing a jingle stint with the ad world for well-known brands like Haldirams, CocaCola and Brittania. But it was Indian Idol which brought him fame. Music apart Vaidya doesn’t rule out acting as a career “ But that is only after I have established myself as a singer,” he says firmly.



** Sonu considers him a competitor??? I mean, i agree that rahul's a great singer and all that and sings a LOT like sonu nigam...but he is nowhere near competing with him!!! i guess its quite funny how rahul gets his break years before sonu got his and all that...and its really endearing to know that he's such a great fan of sonu...and it was very nice of sonu to encourage him by saying that he's a possible competitor, but guess what... no one, not a single singer can ever beat Sonu's velvety, beautiful, mesmerising voice and style...=)