by Subhash K Jha

The popular topi-wala contestant Vinit on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa quietly turned 17 on Sunday.

"It wasn't what I'd call a fun birthday....not in the way it used to be at home in Lucknow," Vinit sounded down in the dumps.

"In the morning all of us Sa Re Ga Ma Pa contestants went for the Marathon run. Then I had to record for the show. So there was no time for any birthday celebrations. But in the night my colleague Himani got me a cake, and we all had a flash party."

Though they're the same age, Himani mollycoddles Vinit and looks after him constantly.

Though Vinit's mom was in Mumbai he wasn't allowed to meet her. "There was no time to meet Ma...But yes, the love of my life was here...That was my gift. We've code-named her Shantabai on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. So that no one gets to know her real identity," the streak of mischief surfaces in the baby of the show.

So how does it feel for Vinit, who many feel, will finally energe the winner, to be 17? "I feel this year has been a turning-point for me. I'm just 17 and I'm already known all over , thanks to Sa Re Ga Ma. I don't know how to handle all this attention."

Vinit who has already recorded songs for Himesh Reshammiya has now decided to make Mumbai his home...for better or worse. "Until the finals on Feb 10 , I can think of nothing except singing. And after the finals I can think of only....singing," he burst out laughing.