It’s Back to School for Now for Lil Champs Shreyan & Anjali

Shreyan Bhattacharya and Anjali Gaikwad in a candid chat about their big win on Sa Re Ga Ma Lil Champs.

Shreyan and Anjali, winners of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs 2017.

(Photo: Yogen Shah)

Shreyan Bhattacharya and Anjali Gaikwad - the big winners of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs 2017 are both determined to be the biggest singers of Bollywood in the coming years. Both Shreyan and Anjali were very excited about their win on the TV show and here they are sharing their experience with The Quint.

Shreyan Bhattacharya

Shreyan singing on the sets of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter)

How are you and your family feeling after the big win?

I am the happiest person right now, I have never been so happy. When I won, more than me, my parents, my fans and my friends were happy. There is a mood of celebration here, everybody is coming and congratulating me. My parents had tears in their eyes when they got to know that I am the winner. My guru is Jayant Sarkar, I still learn from him. When he got to know that I am the winner of Li’l Champs, he was so proud and happy. He somehow had confidence that I will be the winner. It delights me to see people on the road asking for my autograph and photos, people recognise me now, even when I came back to my hometown, people here welcomed me and everybody was very happy.

What are your further plans now?

My plan further is very straight and simple, I want to go learn and practice music, then become a playback singer in Bollywood. I want to become like Arijit Singh, he has been my inspiration and I love his songs. So many of his songs have been my favourite I am never able to settle down on one like Raabta, Hawayein, Tum Hi Ho and many others. I want to be a versatile singer, though I prefer singing semi classical. When my name was announced, everybody said I am the most deserving contestant, that is what made me happy. I want to lend my voice to Amitabh Bachchan and Ranbir Kapoor.

Shreyan hasn’t decided how he will use the prize money he received from his big win. As the little champion has missed his school for over 10 months, for now he plans to get back to his studies but promises to never leave music.

Anjali Gaikwad

Anjali Gaikwad is AR Rahman’s favourite singer.(Photo Courtesy: Instagram)

How are you and your family feeling after the big win?

I am super happy that I am the winner, I have never been happier than this before. Truly, this is the best feeling ever. I was dancing in joy, even my family and friends couldn’t believe it, because the competition was really tough. My father has been my mentor since the beginning, he was the happiest of all. He praised me a lot for my singing.

What are your plans for the future?

My father wants me to go ahead and make a career in singing. He considers this a small competition, he wants to see me sing on a bigger platform. My mentors from Sa Re Ga Ma Pa have asked me to practice day and night. I want to become a classical singer like Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. I love the Tu Chanda Main Chandni by Lata ji. Kaushiki Chakraborty, Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal are my favourite singers from today’s time. Banarasiya song by Shreya Goshal tops my list of favourite songs at the moment. One day I wish to lend my voice to Deepika Padukone.

Anjali also received a winner’s welcomed in her hometown, Ahmednagar. She now plans to focus on her studies. While in conversation with The Quint, Anjali also shared her plans of practicing music under the guidance of her father, as he is her first mentor and wants to learn as much as she can from him.

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