Antara Mitra
Encyclopedia
Antara Mitra is a vocalist and Bollywood
Playback singer who was a contestant in Sony Entertainment Television
's reality show Indian Idol 2
in 2006.
, near Calcutta
, India
. She exhibited a keen early interest in music
, and her father inspired her. She was accepted as a contestant at age 18 on a national TV show and competed admirably as a finalist in both that show and a successive similar show (Junoon).
At one time she considered studying medicine
, but abandoned the idea in favour of pursuing a professional singing career.
Mitra literally grew up with music
: her father is a music teacher. Since the age of three, Antara would sing along with other children who came to her home in order to learn from her father.
When Antara was eliminated from the contest, well-known music director Anu Malik
offered her playback singing work, but Antara returned to her home town and soon afterward (April 2006) she relocated to Mumbai
to pursue a vocal-performance-for-film soundtrack career.
She also participated as part of the Bollywood team of vocalist contestants in another popular Indian TV reality show, the Junoon (TV series) "Kuchh Kar Dikhaane Ka" where again she was not top winner, however she considers both shows learning and career-development experiences, and expressed gratitude to the TV audience, producers and judges of both contests for allowing her opportunities to perform for the broadcast audience and judges while competing.
She sings in multiple languages: Hindi
, Urdu
, Bengali
, and English
and is active in the Bollywood
film soundtrack
music
industry.
). Anu Malik remarked with a smile, "I think I have found my Playback Singer!"
Indian Idol 1 champion Abhijeet said, 'Itna aacha performance hai ki mumbai walle bhi itna aacha nahi kar sakte. Itna aacha gaya...'
Farah Khan said, '[I think Antara is an] outstanding performer...' although Khan felt Mitra had slightly overperformed.
Sonu Nigam said, "You can sing any kind of song beautifully, as well as you sing classical (Hindi songs). So the only word I can use for you is SUPERB!"
On the following Indian Idol 2 episode, it was announced that Antara had bagged the most SMS (cell phone text message) votes.
In the second gala she sang "Tu Ruta To," and she got a few positive comments, however Sonu Nigam felt she did have more to offer. Tabu said Antara's makeover has been phenomenal and that she should keep up the good singing. Next gala, she sang "Tere Bina," and all the judges gave her good comments. Anu found no fault in her singing. He said he is proud of her, "especially today; this is a proud movement for me when I say that you are my playback singer." Farah and Sonu complimented her for a perfect performance. The two also had a few words of caution on the pronunciation of words. Actress Priyanka said, "She will create magic with her voice!!" and was impressed by the youthful quality of Antara's voice—adding that she has a great future in playback singing. Actress Kareena complimented, "Your voice is absolutely stunning, and I like what you're wearing today, too," referring to her bright red saree.
It was Antara's performances of "Zara Zara" and "Morani Baga" with which the judges were most impressed. For "Zara Zara" from Rehna hai tere dil mein, Sonu Nigam was very happy to see that Antara had taken his advice. 'Where was this side of you all these weeks? Fantastic singing, superb singing.' Anu Malik – 'tumhari singing ne jadoo bataya, kissi ko banaya aur kissi ko mitaya.' Farah Khan – 'Mind blowing singing & performance, it's your best performance `til date.' Amisha told Antara that "if there were rose buds on the sets, they would have bloomed".
In Next Gala she sang "Morni baga ma" from Lamhe. Anu praised her singing from all quarters. After hearing her, Farah seemed "proud that she was one of the panel that discovered such a talented singer" like Antara "from a small town in India." Sonu said, "I'm so proud of you, because you're very very very good." Actress Preity Zinta said, "Kiyunki aapne bohot bohot bohot achcha gaaya." Preity also said she wishes that some day Antara would perform a playback (lip sync) track for her. Anu Malik supported that comment by reiterating that yes, "100% she is [in his mind] my playback singer.
Antara's next performance, of "Bairi Piya" was also appreciated by most of the judges. Anu Malik was satisfied with her performance of this song. "You sang it so well," he said. Sonu Nigam said he felt that she had only put in an 80% effort. "Your specialty is that you can sing all types of songs, but today I feel that you could have done better, even though you have put up a good show," said Nigam. Farah said, "You sang so well, and I think I should disagree with Anuji, as the next Indian idol will be a girl." Farah also complimented Antara's looks, saying she could not only be the next Indian Idol, but also the next Miss India. Karan Johar said Antara's performance was "a perfect gift to Sanjay Leela Bhansali, as it was his birthday" He added, "I really felt so good, aapka antara bhi n aapka mukhra bhi utna hi sundar hai." Antara's parents had come to the studio to surprise her and to watch her perform for the first time—this led to a tearful on-camera family reunion, especially between mother and daughter. In the Results episode that followed, it was declared that, for the first time, Antara was in the bottom three, in danger of leaving the competition
. She was with N. C. Karunya and Meenal Jain
there, and with Meenal in the bottom two. However, she made it to the final five, as Meenal was eliminated.
The following week, Antara was the only female remaining. She sang "Mere Haathon," for which she received negative comments. Antara said, "Being the only girl left in the race now, I quite fear a vote out." Sandeep Acharya
(the eventual winner) and Antara were in the bottom two, and receiving the lowest number of SMS votes, she left, leaving 4 males in the competition. Antara got loud cheers of applause from the live audience and the hosts of the show, Aman Verma and Mini Mathur when she said that she didn’t want votes on the pretext that she was the only female contestant remaining on the show. Antara said, "This stage has given me so much: glamour, recognition... I am upset about being voted out, but I am quite content with the Indian Idol stage! For out of Indian Idol... I am not merely going back to my village, I am going to remain on here in Mumbai and make my name in the music industry."
Antara Mitra was the last female standing and competed to reach the Top Five contestants on a national TV contest show. She had the most impressive record of not being "in danger" on the Indian idol 2
TV series: she was only in danger once. Also, in the galas, she received the most audience votes three times; for her performances of "Ruki Ruki Thi Zindagi," "Zara Zara," and "Morani Baga."
She was one of the youngest contestants in the competition, even junior in years to also-young Karunya, Sagar, Sandeep, Monali and Meenal, and just a year older than the youngest contestant: Neha. She formed friendships with the series runner-up male vocalist N. C. Karunya, as well as female co-contestants Meenal Jain
and Neha Kakkar.
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
Playback singer who was a contestant in Sony Entertainment Television
Sony Entertainment Television (India)
This article is about the SET channel in India. For the Indian version broadcasted worldwide, see Sony Entertainment Television Asia.Sony Entertainment Television, or SET, is a Hindi-language based general entertainment television channel in India. It was launched in October 1996 and is owned by...
's reality show Indian Idol 2
Indian Idol 2
The second season of Indian Idol began on November 21, 2005 and concluded on April 22, 2006. It was hosted by Mini Mathur and Aman Verma. Anu Malik, Farah Khan and Sonu Nigam returned to judge. Sandeep Acharya won the competition. It is the first and only season with a male fourth place finalist...
in 2006.
Biography
Antara Mitra is from Maslandapur, a small town in West BengalWest Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
, near Calcutta
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. She exhibited a keen early interest in music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, and her father inspired her. She was accepted as a contestant at age 18 on a national TV show and competed admirably as a finalist in both that show and a successive similar show (Junoon).
At one time she considered studying medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, but abandoned the idea in favour of pursuing a professional singing career.
Mitra literally grew up with music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
: her father is a music teacher. Since the age of three, Antara would sing along with other children who came to her home in order to learn from her father.
When Antara was eliminated from the contest, well-known music director Anu Malik
Anu Malik
Anu Malik , born Anwar Sardaar Malik, is a famous music director in the Hindi film industry. Son of veteran music director Sardar Malek, Anu Malik made his debut as a music composer in the year 1977. After a considerable period of struggle, the 90's welcomed Anu with hits like 'Phir Teri Kahani...
offered her playback singing work, but Antara returned to her home town and soon afterward (April 2006) she relocated to Mumbai
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
to pursue a vocal-performance-for-film soundtrack career.
She also participated as part of the Bollywood team of vocalist contestants in another popular Indian TV reality show, the Junoon (TV series) "Kuchh Kar Dikhaane Ka" where again she was not top winner, however she considers both shows learning and career-development experiences, and expressed gratitude to the TV audience, producers and judges of both contests for allowing her opportunities to perform for the broadcast audience and judges while competing.
She sings in multiple languages: Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
, Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
, Bengali
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
, and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and is active in the Bollywood
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
film soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
industry.
Piano Round
In the Piano Round, the first round when audience (TV-viewer) voting was invited, she sang the title song "Rangeela Re" (from the film RangeelaRangeela (film)
Rangeela is a 1995 Hindi film directed by Ram Gopal Varma, and starring Aamir Khan, Jackie Shroff and Urmila Matondkar.Rangeela was music director A. R. Rahman's debut Hindi film with an original score, as the previous ones were dubbed from his Tamil scores...
). Anu Malik remarked with a smile, "I think I have found my Playback Singer!"
Indian Idol 1 champion Abhijeet said, 'Itna aacha performance hai ki mumbai walle bhi itna aacha nahi kar sakte. Itna aacha gaya...'
Farah Khan said, '[I think Antara is an] outstanding performer...' although Khan felt Mitra had slightly overperformed.
Sonu Nigam said, "You can sing any kind of song beautifully, as well as you sing classical (Hindi songs). So the only word I can use for you is SUPERB!"
On the following Indian Idol 2 episode, it was announced that Antara had bagged the most SMS (cell phone text message) votes.
Gala Rounds
Antara sang the song "Ruki Ruki Thi Zindagi." She got decent comments, Anu Malik telling her that she should not worry, because she will move to the next round "for sure." Farah Khan said her performance was that of an international superstar and that Antara looked like an "international superstar". Sonu told her to not move around as much, but said that it was very good.In the second gala she sang "Tu Ruta To," and she got a few positive comments, however Sonu Nigam felt she did have more to offer. Tabu said Antara's makeover has been phenomenal and that she should keep up the good singing. Next gala, she sang "Tere Bina," and all the judges gave her good comments. Anu found no fault in her singing. He said he is proud of her, "especially today; this is a proud movement for me when I say that you are my playback singer." Farah and Sonu complimented her for a perfect performance. The two also had a few words of caution on the pronunciation of words. Actress Priyanka said, "She will create magic with her voice!!" and was impressed by the youthful quality of Antara's voice—adding that she has a great future in playback singing. Actress Kareena complimented, "Your voice is absolutely stunning, and I like what you're wearing today, too," referring to her bright red saree.
It was Antara's performances of "Zara Zara" and "Morani Baga" with which the judges were most impressed. For "Zara Zara" from Rehna hai tere dil mein, Sonu Nigam was very happy to see that Antara had taken his advice. 'Where was this side of you all these weeks? Fantastic singing, superb singing.' Anu Malik – 'tumhari singing ne jadoo bataya, kissi ko banaya aur kissi ko mitaya.' Farah Khan – 'Mind blowing singing & performance, it's your best performance `til date.' Amisha told Antara that "if there were rose buds on the sets, they would have bloomed".
In Next Gala she sang "Morni baga ma" from Lamhe. Anu praised her singing from all quarters. After hearing her, Farah seemed "proud that she was one of the panel that discovered such a talented singer" like Antara "from a small town in India." Sonu said, "I'm so proud of you, because you're very very very good." Actress Preity Zinta said, "Kiyunki aapne bohot bohot bohot achcha gaaya." Preity also said she wishes that some day Antara would perform a playback (lip sync) track for her. Anu Malik supported that comment by reiterating that yes, "100% she is [in his mind] my playback singer.
Antara's next performance, of "Bairi Piya" was also appreciated by most of the judges. Anu Malik was satisfied with her performance of this song. "You sang it so well," he said. Sonu Nigam said he felt that she had only put in an 80% effort. "Your specialty is that you can sing all types of songs, but today I feel that you could have done better, even though you have put up a good show," said Nigam. Farah said, "You sang so well, and I think I should disagree with Anuji, as the next Indian idol will be a girl." Farah also complimented Antara's looks, saying she could not only be the next Indian Idol, but also the next Miss India. Karan Johar said Antara's performance was "a perfect gift to Sanjay Leela Bhansali, as it was his birthday" He added, "I really felt so good, aapka antara bhi n aapka mukhra bhi utna hi sundar hai." Antara's parents had come to the studio to surprise her and to watch her perform for the first time—this led to a tearful on-camera family reunion, especially between mother and daughter. In the Results episode that followed, it was declared that, for the first time, Antara was in the bottom three, in danger of leaving the competition
Competition
Competition is a contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources. It arises whenever two and only two strive for a goal which cannot be shared. Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. For...
. She was with N. C. Karunya and Meenal Jain
Meenal Jain
Meenal Jain Meenal Jain Meenal Jain (born June 14, 1985 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India was a top 6 finalist in the on-going reality show Indian Idol 2 on Indian Television. She was voted out on February 28, 2006....
there, and with Meenal in the bottom two. However, she made it to the final five, as Meenal was eliminated.
The following week, Antara was the only female remaining. She sang "Mere Haathon," for which she received negative comments. Antara said, "Being the only girl left in the race now, I quite fear a vote out." Sandeep Acharya
Sandeep Acharya
Sandeep Acharya is an Indian singer.Sandeep Acharya - Indian Idol Season 2 hails from Bikaner, Rajasthan and was crowned the winner of Indian Idol on 22 April 2006. Acharya is the winner of the second season of Indian Idol while the first was won by Abhijeet Sawant. Acharya beat judges favorite,...
(the eventual winner) and Antara were in the bottom two, and receiving the lowest number of SMS votes, she left, leaving 4 males in the competition. Antara got loud cheers of applause from the live audience and the hosts of the show, Aman Verma and Mini Mathur when she said that she didn’t want votes on the pretext that she was the only female contestant remaining on the show. Antara said, "This stage has given me so much: glamour, recognition... I am upset about being voted out, but I am quite content with the Indian Idol stage! For out of Indian Idol... I am not merely going back to my village, I am going to remain on here in Mumbai and make my name in the music industry."
Antara Mitra was the last female standing and competed to reach the Top Five contestants on a national TV contest show. She had the most impressive record of not being "in danger" on the Indian idol 2
Indian Idol 2
The second season of Indian Idol began on November 21, 2005 and concluded on April 22, 2006. It was hosted by Mini Mathur and Aman Verma. Anu Malik, Farah Khan and Sonu Nigam returned to judge. Sandeep Acharya won the competition. It is the first and only season with a male fourth place finalist...
TV series: she was only in danger once. Also, in the galas, she received the most audience votes three times; for her performances of "Ruki Ruki Thi Zindagi," "Zara Zara," and "Morani Baga."
She was one of the youngest contestants in the competition, even junior in years to also-young Karunya, Sagar, Sandeep, Monali and Meenal, and just a year older than the youngest contestant: Neha. She formed friendships with the series runner-up male vocalist N. C. Karunya, as well as female co-contestants Meenal Jain
Meenal Jain
Meenal Jain Meenal Jain Meenal Jain (born June 14, 1985 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India was a top 6 finalist in the on-going reality show Indian Idol 2 on Indian Television. She was voted out on February 28, 2006....
and Neha Kakkar.
Audition
- "Dama Dam Mast Kalandar," Runa LailaRuna LailaRuna Laila is a singer of the Indian subcontinent who is from Bangladesh. She started her career from Pakistan film industry and is effective in Ghazals also. She made a hit pair with famous singer Ahmed Rushdi after replacing Mala. She also has done numerous playbacks for movies in Bangladesh,...
- The judges liked it, however Anu Malik was a bit hesitant.
Piano Round
- "Hume to loot liya milke husn waalon ne," Private (Album) - Most votes
- Antara received good comments, especially from Anu, "I think I have found my Playback Singer," and made it through to the finals with the most votes.
Gala Round
- Week 2: "Ruki Ruki Thi Zindagi" from MastMast (film)Mast is a 1999 Bollywood musical film by Indian director Ram Gopal Verma. This was the debut film for Aftab Shivdasani as a lead actor. Till then, he was recognized as a child actor.-Synopsis:...
- Antara received fairly good comments from the judges. Farha said like Antara looked like an International Rock Star on stage.
- Week 3: "Tu Rutha To Mein" from Jawani
- The judges liked her performance, but said that "your lost concentration was somewhere" while Tabu said her "makeover has been phenomenal".
- Week 4: "Tere Bina Jiya Jaye Na" from GharGhar (film)Ghar is a 1978 Indian Bollywood film directed by Manik Chatterjee, released on 9 February 1978. The film stars Vinod Mehra and Rekha in lead roles.-Plot:...
- She got good comments from the judges. Priyanka said she has a great future in playback singing.
- Week 5: "Zara Zara" from Rehana Hai Tere Dil Mein
- The judges loved Antara's performance. Amisha said that if there were rose buds on the sets, they would have bloomed listening to her sweet voice.
- Week 6: "Morani Baga Ma Bole" from LamheLamheLamhe is a 1991 Hindi film directed by Yash Chopra and starring Anil Kapoor and Sridevi. The story was written by Honey Irani. The film was critically acclaimed, had exceptional music, and did brilliant business in UK. Unfortunately, it was not a box-office success in India...
- Antara received rave reviews from all the judges, and they were all extremely appreciative. Preity said she also wants her to sing playback for her, too.
- Week 7: "Bairi Piya" from DevdasDevdasDevdas is a Bengali Romance novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. Essentially, it is a retelling of the Krishna, Radha, and Meera myths, the relationships between its three protagonists - Devdas, Parvati, and Chandramukhi - paralleling the Hindu deities'.-Plot summary:Devdas is a young man from...
(Bottom 2)- The judges all liked her performance. Sonu NigamSonu NigamSonu Nigam is an Indian playback singer whose songs have been featured in numerous Hindi movies, as well as films in Assamese, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi and Kannada language. He has also released numerous Indi-pop albums and acted in a few Hindi feature films...
said that it could have been a bit better, as her voice was capable of taking that song to greater heights. Farha called her Miss India while Karan said it's a perfect gift to Sanjay Leela BhansaliSanjay Leela BhansaliSanjay Leela Bhansali is an Indian film director. He is an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India...
.
- The judges all liked her performance. Sonu Nigam
- Week 8: "Mere Haathon Main" from ChandniChandniChandni is a Hindi film released in 1989. The film stars Sridevi, Rishi Kapoor and Vinod Khanna, and was directed by Yash Chopra....
(Eliminated)- For the first time, Antara received mostly negative comments from the judges for her song selection.
- Grand Finale: "Woh Pehli Baar", "Ek Main Ek Tu, Jawani Jaaneman, Oh Saki Saki, "Right Here Right Now" (With N. C. Karunya and Meenal JainMeenal JainMeenal Jain Meenal Jain Meenal Jain (born June 14, 1985 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India was a top 6 finalist in the on-going reality show Indian Idol 2 on Indian Television. She was voted out on February 28, 2006....
)
- Concert: "Woh Pehli Baar," "Salaam Namaste," "Agar tum Miljao," and "Saki Saki."
Recordings/Appearances
- Woh Pehli BaarIndian Idol 2 - Woh Pehli BaarWoh pehli Baar is the maiden album by Indian Idol 2 contestants.#Woh Pehli Baar - All Contestants.#Kawa Kawa - N. C. Karunya.#Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho - Amey Date.#Yaar Bina Chain Kaha Re - Monali Thakur#Aye Dil-E-Nadan - Yashashree Bhave...
album - sang a group number and solo "Tu Rutha To." - TV appearances have included specials (and soap operas) including Navarati, Thodi Khushi Thode Gham, Music Masti Dhoom, Kyunki, Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil, Kitani Mohabbat Hai, K for Kishore and auditioning contestants in Bhopal for Indian Idol 3.
- Was a contestant on Adnan's Bol Baby Bol show (won 2 lakhs for reciting famous song lyrics).
- Joined Nauman and Salman in Koi Aane Ko Hai, another Ekta Kapoor soap opera (broadcast on Colors @10 PM Fri/Sat/Sun).
- Was a semi-finalist (as a member of the Bollywood contingent) on Junoon - Kuchh Kar Dikhaane Ka singing contest (reality show on NDTV Imagine).
- Was a contestant who reached the Final Four in IPL Rockstar contest (reality show on Colors).
Film Songs
- "Loving You" - (duet) With Sonu Nigaam (Film: Speed, Music Dir.: Pritam Chakraborty).
- "Yeh Ishq haye- Remix" - With Shreya Ghoshal (Film: Jab We Met, Music Dir.: Pritam).
- "Kuke Kuke" - With Shaan (Film: Life Partner, Music Dir.: Pritam).
- "Aage Aage" - With Mika (Film: Life Partner, Music Dir.: Pritam).
- "All the Best" - With Soham (Film: All the Best, Music Dir.: Pritam).
- "Om Jai Jagadish Hare" (Film: Toh Baat Pakki!, Music Dir.: Pritam).
- "Bheegi Si Bhaagi Si" - With Mohit Chauhan (Film: Raajneeti, Music Dir.: Pritam)
- "Aa Jaane Jaan" - With Javed Jaffri (Film: Hello Darling, Music Dir.: Pritam).
- "Tera Mera Pyar" - With Kartik (Film: Action Replay, Music Dir.: Pritam).
- "Ale" - With Neeraj (Film: Golmaal 3, Music Dir.: Pritam Chakraborty).
- "Beshuba" - With Kunal Ganjanwala (Film: Dil to Baccha Hai Ji, Music Dir.: Pritam)
- "Yeh Dil Hai Nakhrewala - Filmy version" (Film: Dil to Baccha Hai Ji, Music Dir.: Pritam)