Meet India’s final eleven: Cricket? Nah, L’iL Champs!

If the L'iL Champs singing prowess caught your attention yesterday, get ready for the selection of the next group of finalists tonight. When director Gajendrra Siingh said that he has heard many talented 8 year old kids with fresh voices, he's proved that he wasn't kidding! A skillfully edited show that captures kids with amazing voices coupled with honest, encouraging responses from the three judges is sure to be the talking point with parents of talented kids of the same age in India. Abhrakanti, Pavani, Somanth, Disha, Sanchita, Gurpreet, Gitashree, Diwakar, Rajdeep and Surabhi are the ten contenders for a position in to the finals. The format has done away with public voting in the initial stages, putting the onus on the judges to be fair and responsible. Abhijeet and Alka Yagnik have their playful banter between themselves, but along with Bappi Lahiri, they are unanimous in their final selection. One can hear songs like 'Baghban…', 'Tujhe yaad na meri aayi…', 'Ye mera dil…'<\em> and Dil hoom hoom kare…" sung by these young kids with remarkable ease. Gurpreet's performance stands out as she displays her spunky attitude, singing it in perfect sur. Also, Sanchita's rendition of 'Tujhe yaad na meri aayi…' had Abhijeet remark, "Tum poore hakdaar ho L'iL Champs title ki". The judges deliberated and took the liberty of selecting six instead of five kids as they thought it unfair to leave out even one of those chosen. They were sure they want all six on board---making it Zee's very own India Eleven. With this, Pawani, Sanchita, Gurpreet, Abhrakanti, Pranav and Diwakar move on to the next stage. "It is my goal to encourage children to explore a world outside their small box and bring to the forefront their musical talent," says director Gajendrra Siingh. With the winner getting a lifetime scholarship in studying music from Zee, it is going to be a fight to the finish.