It was the very last gala before the Top 3 fought it out at the March 1 Grand Finale. Tensions were high, competitiveness at its peak. But Torsha, Sourabhee and Kapil are friends first and competitors second. So there was grace and camaraderie evident on stage as the lights came on.

To give the contestants a little more encouragement, the stars of Delhi 6, Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor, came on the sets. Sonam revealed why her new film is so closely connected with Indian Idol. In the film, her character Bittu believes that the best way for her to attain her goal—to become a singer—is through Indian Idol. So she actually auditions for the show in the film. Now, that’s something we have to see.

Torsha takes the stage and brings the roof down

It was her dream to be a part of the Top 3 and it came true last week. The love of the people boosted Torsha’s confidence to new heights and she was unstoppable this week. She began her performance with Do lafzon ki hai dil ki kahani and then moved on to the more peppy Raat baaki. Her singing had the judges asking for more. Javed Akhtar said he finally understood what the term ‘Bengal Tigress’ truly meant. Sonam thought the fact that she sang sexily was the biggest trump card.

But Torsha had another gift in mind, besides all the praise the judges were showering on her. She wanted ‘heart-stopper’ Abhishek to sing her Amitabh Bachchan’s popular song, Rang barse. And AB’s baby complied! That surely must have made her evening.

Abhishek and his little jokes

Hussain and Chang were not likely to leave the stars alone. They wanted to know, if Abhishek so wished, what would be the one role of his father’s that he wouldn’t want to do. A bewildered Abhishek thought for a while and then said he would not do Black because the level of performance in it was just exemplary.

Besides his serious side, Abhishek also indulged in some of his trademark idiocy, making everyone double over with laughter. Like when he opened a pink umbrella and shielded Sonali Bendre and himself. When questioned why he wanted an umbrella, he said that Sonam had the unfortunate tendency to spit—so he was protecting his bhabhi and himself.

He explained how on the sets of Delhi 6 Sonam had actually gargled deep and then spat on him. It seems she got such a kick out of it, she found excuses to repeat the action 20 times! The poor guy must have wanted to wash himself with strong detergent by the end of it. No wonder he brought an umbrella to the sets.

Kapil is at his captivating best

The singing soldier may have to fight it out with two girls in the finale and have to put up with everyone wanting a female Indian Idol this time, but he proved that he was up to the task. He took the stage with Yeh hawaaien and then moved on to Pyar mein dil pe maar de goli. Abhishek was blown away by his attitude and said his performance was “awesome, fantastic”. Annu Malek said: “Yeh kya jaadu hai? You were a rock star today.” But the surprise was when Javedji changed his red light (which he had given Kapil because he hadn’t liked his first song) to a green because he felt Sonali was stressing too much on a girl winning the competition.

Kapil also wanted Abhishek to do something for him—sing his song from Bluffmaster. But the actor gave him something better. Not only did he sing the song, but he also sang a bunch of Annu’s songs in such a besura way that everyone was holding their sides with laughter.

To keep the fun mood alive, the hosts asked Sonam what she would do if she woke up one day top discover that she had Abhishek’s face and body. She said she would commit suicide. But when Abhishek was asked the same question, he had a better answer. He replied he would lie down on the bed, gargle and then spit on himself (or rather Sonam’s face) more than 20 times!

Sourabhee saves the best for last

She has the support of everyone—from the judges to the janta to even the royal family of Tripura. And she proved why their faith in her is not misplaced. She began the last performance of the day with the soulful Tere mere milan ki ye raina. She then smartly segued into the foot-tapping Crazy kiya re. Abhishek could not help but groove along with the petite rock star. He then said that he was thrilled that she had sung two songs picturised on his two most favourite women in the world. Javedji thanked Sourabhee for singing Tere mere and said it touched his heart.

So who will be Indian Idol?

When the judges were asked this question, there were some interesting answers. Javedji said Torsha’s name, while Annu, Sonali and Sonam took Sourabhee’s. But Abhishek surprised everyone and said he thought it would be Annu Malek because he is the original Indian Idol! But jokes apart, Abhishek told Kapil not to feel disheartened because everyone was siding with the girls and to give the title his best shot. We agree! Good luck Top 3. Rock the stage on March 1.