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Never Have I Ever was monumental for Indian Americans; we felt represented: Pragathi Guruprasad
Never Have I Ever was monumental for Indian Americans; we felt represented: Pragathi Guruprasad

Time of India

time18-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Time of India

Never Have I Ever was monumental for Indian Americans; we felt represented: Pragathi Guruprasad

These days, with social media, everybody gets a platform, but that wasn't the case a decade ago. The first platform where you get to showcase your talent is important, and that was reality TV for me, says Pragathi. I want to constantly reinvent myself as a creator. I would love to explore other forms of creativity. You don't have to be boxed into just being a singer,' says Pragathi Guruprasad, who rose to fame by becoming the runner-up in the TV show, Super Singer Junior season 3, back in 2012. Thirteen years and numerous playback songs later, the Indian American has made her debut as a composer with the indie song, Adada. In a chat with us, she opens up about starting young, making her acting debut and more. 'Maitreyi & Mindy made me feel comfortable on the NHIE set' 'Most of the roles I've auditioned for in Hollywood are for South Asian Indian characters. I don't think Hollywood is quite there yet where an Indian looking girl can fare well in a general audition call. That's still reserved for white people, but we're slowly getting there. Never Have I Ever (NHIE) was my first acting gig, and I hold it close to my heart. The show was monumental for Indian Americans like me, as we felt represented. Working with Mindy Kaling (creator of Never Have I Ever ) was a dream come true. Maitreyi (Ramakrishnan) is a good friend of mine. During my first scene, I was nervous because it was my first time in front of the camera, and I didn't want to mess up. But Maitreyi and Mindy made me feel comfortable,' she says. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo 'REALITY TV WAS MY BIGGEST STEPPING STONE' These days, with social media, everybody gets a platform, but that wasn't the case a decade ago. The first platform where you get to showcase your talent is important, and that was reality TV for me. It was my biggest stepping stone. Everyone kept asking me, 'What's next?' The pressure got to me, and nothing felt enough. There was a period when I wasn't happy while singing. It took a process of healing to realise that happiness comes from within, and that happiness came with Adada. 'FOR YEARS, YOU WERE CONSIDERED A SINGER ONLY IF YOU WERE A PLAYBACK SINGER' It's important for more musicians to come up and for more collaborations to happen. Earlier, two or three female singers were singing for all the heroines. Now, there's more space for diversity. These days, when you find a song interesting, you tend to find out who the singers are. The process of discovery leads listeners to more music. Previously, when people heard SPB sir or Chithra amma 's songs, they thought about how well they had rendered the song, and the process ended there. But now, there's a musical search. That process is important to have an industry beyond film music. For years, you were only considered a singer if you were a playback singer, but that's not the case anymore. 'IT'S HARD WHEN YOU SING YOUR OWN COMPOSITIONS' It's quite hard when you sing your own compositions. I recorded Adada a hundred times. It's funny because the final version of Adada is the first version we recorded. 'I want to collaborate with Dhibu Ninan Thomas & Sean Roldan' 'Dhibu Ninan Thomas and Sean Roldan are at the top of my list. There is a soul in their music that connects with me. Sean is a good friend, but I haven't had the chance to work with him yet, and friendly collaborations are always great,' she says.

Super Singer Junior 10 winner: Gayathri lifts the trophy
Super Singer Junior 10 winner: Gayathri lifts the trophy

Time of India

time26-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Time of India

Super Singer Junior 10 winner: Gayathri lifts the trophy

The grand finale of Super Singer Junior 10 unfolded in a spectacular celebration of music, talent, and emotions as young singing sensation Gayathri was crowned the winner of the season. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Held on May 26, the finale turned into an unforgettable evening marked by soulful performances, star-studded appearances, and emotional moments. The finale was graced by two of the biggest icons in Indian cinema and music, Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan and Oscar-winning music composer A. R. Rahman, whose presence elevated the celebratory atmosphere. The highlight of the night came when Kamal Haasan took to the stage to announce Gayathri as the winner, triggering thunderous applause from the audience and emotional reactions from the finalists. Throughout the season, Gayathri consistently impressed judges and audiences with her impeccable vocal range, control, and emotional depth. Her journey on the show has been one of growth and perseverance, and her final performance was a testament to her musical maturity. Judges unanimously agreed that she was a deserving winner, lauding her versatility and dedication. 'I still can't believe this moment is real,' said an overwhelmed Gayathri after lifting the trophy. 'This victory belongs to my parents, my mentors, and everyone who supported me. I've learned so much during this journey, and this platform has given me memories that will last a lifetime.' The finale wasn't just about the crowning moment — it was a musical extravaganza featuring dazzling performances by all the finalists. The atmosphere was electric as each contestant brought their best to the stage one last time. The judges, who have mentored and witnessed their evolution week after week, had nothing but praise for the finalists. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In addition to Gayathri's big win, Nasreen was declared the first runner-up, delivering a power-packed performance that showcased her classical prowess. Aadya and Sarasruthi shared the second runner-up title, winning hearts with their unique voices and heartfelt renditions. The tenth season of Super Singer Junior has been a massive success, drawing huge TRP ratings and winning appreciation for unearthing exceptional young talent. As the curtain falls on another memorable season, the show once again proves that India's musical future is in very capable hands.

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