Sreeram is the winner of the Indian Idol 5

The Waiting is over, Sreeram Chandra won the Indian Idol 5,
Congratulations Sreeram. . .

For Hyderabad boy Sreeram Chandra, this Independence Day couldn't have
been more special. He realised his dream of winning music reality show
Indian Idol 5, and can't wait now for his next dream - of singing
for Bollywood and Oscar winning music composer A.R. Rahman - to come true.

"My next dream is to make it big in Bollywood," Sreeram, who was
declared the winner of Indian Idol 5 Sunday, told IANS over phone from
Mumbai.

"I want to sing hit songs, be a well-known playback singer and be a
star performer. I want to learn a lot. 'Indian Idol' has given me a
concrete base to create a name for myself and I want to improve on it
by working with all the music directors, especially AR Rahman sir," he
added.

Sreeram, an engineer, is not from a musical family. As a struggling
singer back in Hyderabad, he used to audition for regional reality
shows, sing for small budget films and lend his voice for chorus,
jingles and radio advertisements.

But his consistently melodious performances on "Indian Idol" struck
the right chords with judges - Sunidhi Chauhan, Annu Malek and Salim
Merchant as well as various Bollywood celebrities and the audience
alike.

He says the feeling of waking up as Indian Idol 5 was "amazing".

"Every morning before the finale, we used to wake up with the
conviction of working hard towards the title. When I woke up today
(Monday), it was a different feeling. I wasn't just Sreeram anymore.
This show has given me a new identity - of being Indian Idol 5," said
the 24-year-old.

Along with this new identity, Sreeram has also won Rs.5 million cash,
a one-year contract with Sony BMG, a Tata Winger car, and a golden
chance to sing a song in a Yash Raj Films' project.

It couldn't have been bigger and better, he says.

"I feel blessed that I was a part of Indian Idol 5 where they are
giving me a direct entry into Bollywood with the chance to sing for
one of India's biggest production houses - YRF. No previous 'Indian
Idol' has got this chance, and I hope this boosts my standing as a
singer," he said.

He is also excited about the opportunity of creating his own album and
says he would like to sing all kinds of songs because he considers
himself a "versatile singer".

For now, he is in a party mood and wants to rush back to his hometown
Hyderabad to thank and acknowledge all those who supported him.
He will get....
Cash Prize of Rs. 5 Million,
One-year Contract with Sony BMG,
Tata Winger Car &
Chance to sing a song in a Yash Raj Films' project.