Suleiman, the 13-year-old flautist who won the India’s Got Talent reality show, says he was not expecting to win amid tough competition.
“I was not at all expecting to win the show because there were other very talented contestants. So, the final result came as a happy surprise for me,” said Suleiman.
The disciple of the maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasi, said the win was sweeter because in a show, where generally dancers and singers are declared winners, a contestant’s ability to play an instrument was recognised.
“Earlier it was the dancers and singers who got the awards, but this time I received it playing flute and so I feel very lucky,” he said.
Talking about his own favourite performance in the competition, Suleiman said that his Mujh Mein Tu rendition, with Bollywood star Salman Khan in attendance, was his favourite.
“The performance I gave in front of Salman sir was the best one as the compliments I received from him saying, ‘I will go a very long way and will earn a lot of praise’ filled me with immense happiness,” said the young artist, who hails from Amritsar, Punjab.
When asked whether he would like to make a career as a flautist, Suleiman said, “Along with my studies, I would love to learn more as a flautist and would like to make a name in this field.”
Suleiman said that the judges were very cordial, loving and caring towards him throughout the show.
“The judges loved me a lot. They always motivated me to do well. Kirron [Kher] ma’am treated me just like a son and even wanted to take me home. All the judges were very loving.”
Besides Kher, the Colors show is judged by Malaika Arora Khan and Karan Johar.
