by Subhash K Jha

Himani Kapoor's Unannounced Appearance Steals The Thunder, Plans To Bring Her Back Into Sa Re Ma Pa, Vinit's Mentor Himesh Reshammiya Takes Her Under His wings Last Sunday what was meant to be concert to spotlight the two Sa Re Ga Ma Pa finalists Debojit and Vinit turned out to be an impromptu platform for the ousted contestant Himani Kapoor to shine.

The venue was the Ansal Plaza in Delhi. A crowd of about 20,000 fans thronged the venue chanting Vinit's name.

Himani was suddenly brought on at the fag-end of the show at 9.45 pm, fifteen minutes before closing time.

The crowds went berserk.

According to Sa Re Ga Ma producer-director Gajendra Singh, "We had no prior plans of bringing on Himani.. The concert was meant to promote the two finalists. But our last-minute decision paid off. In her brief appearance Himani had the crowds hysterical. They mobbed both Vinit and Himani for autographs. Not only that, we had hundreds of fans waiting for them at Park Plaza where we proceeded for dinner. So it was evident their popularity has gone far beyond the stage."

Apparently Himani got more appreciation for her 15-minute appearance than what the others received for the rest of the show.

"I wouldn't like to say that," says Himani. "But it was all very unexpected. I'm glad they decided to include me in the concert. I never thought it would turn out the way it did. I had time to perform only one number Sajna ve (from Chameli). I'd have preferred to sing something more dreamy. But going by the concert's mood I guess the tempo was timely. It caught on."

So impressed is Vinit's mentor Himesh Reshammiya with Himani that he has decided to make her sing three forthcoming songs. The composer is also all set to take Vinit and Himani on a world concerts including one in Dubai in a month's time.

Himani is in a calm daze. "It's all happening so fast and so suddenly. I don't feel I've been ousted from Sa Re Ga Ma. In fact everyone seems to be more responsive to me than ever before. The Delhi concert was an eye-opener. And I'll have to reluctantly admit that the response I got in ten minutes was unequalled by anything else."

So impressed is the Sa Re Ga Ma organizers by the response to Himani's performance that there are sudden plans afoot to bring her back into the show.

"I must admit, Himani's ouster was a mistake," admits Gajendra Singh. "The voting pattern definitely not foolproof. And we plan to take concrete steps to rectify the wrong done. Contestants like Nihira and Himani must not be eliminated."