Deccan Chronicle

‘I’m indebted to IGT’

Twelve-year-old India’s Got Talent contestant Yash Khandelwal lands movie deal with Karan Johar

- LATIKA MARRI

India’s Got Talent Season 6 ( IGT) has found a tiny Barfi ka dabba in Yash Khandelwal. The twelve-year-old Agra boy has been signed on by Karan Johar for Student Of The Year 3 ( SOTY 3) right after his first performanc­e on the reality show recently. Even though there are no plans for SOTY 2 yet, Karan has promised him a Part 3. Understand­ably, he’s excited. “I was elated when he signed me for SOTY 3. All the judges gave me a standing ovation. I was on top of the world,” Yash said.

“In fact, Kirron (Kher) ma’am told Karan sir to sign me right away, which he did. Even Ranbir (Kapoor) sir danced with me,” he added.

The pressure of performing on such a big stage is bound to make anyone nervous. But Yash remained unfazed. “It happens with everyone. I think it is the best reality show amongst all. I wanted to perform here and now, my dream has been fulfilled,” he said.

It’s not every day that you get an offer from Karan Johar. Is he going to follow up on it? “I don’t know about that. But I would definitely try my level best to impress him with my next performanc­e,” Yash said.

Yash’s parents are on cloud nine and are thrilled with all the compliment­s that he’s been getting. “I’m getting about 800 friend requests on Facebook every day. Everyone wants to be friends with me now. It’s overwhelmi­ng. When my dad was watching me on TV, he started crying. Earlier, my parents would say, ‘You need to study and not just dance.’ But now, they want me to concentrat­e on my dance. But I want to study too. I’d like to become an actor when I grow up,” he said.

With all the adulation coming his way, Yash is still keen on perfecting his dancing skills to win the show. “It all depends on whether or not the judges like my performanc­es. But I will give my best. I won’t leave any stone unturned to impress them,” he said about winning IGT.

For Yash, there’s certainly been a sea-change. “I’ve become famous. There was a special morning assembly in my school where they showed my performanc­e on a projector. All this has happened because of IGT. I’m indebted to it,” Yash said.

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