Assamese film fraternity urges support for Indian Idol finalist

Guwahati, Aug 29 (UNI) As the countdown for crowning the Indian Idol into its third season begins, the North East is going on an overdrive to ensure that the prized trophy comes home.

Shillong lad Amit Paul is keeping the people of the region glued to their television sets on weekends and fingers are busy sending SMS to vote him as the winner.

Chipping in their bit, Assam's film fraternity today made a fervent call to the people to vote for Amit in large numbers. The Shillong Arts and Music Lovers Forum had organised a function here to garner mass support for Amit.

Naba Bhattacharjee of the Forum said Amit was behind Prashant Tamag, a sepoy of Darjeeling by a margin of over three lakh votes.

He said ''The entire police force and people of a specific community are voting in large numbers for Prashant. If we want Amit to win, the people of NE must also vote.'' ''Amit has talent and it is on the basis of his talent and merit that we are appealing to all to vote for him,'' he added.

He urged the people to repeat the fervour with which they ensured Debojit Saha's victory in another singing competition couple of years ago.

Amit had been a regular at shows in Guwahati and Shillong before moving on to Mumbai to try his fortunes in Indian Idol. He had also lent his voice to a few Assamese films and was rated highly by the established music directors and singers of the region. UNI