It’s finally happened. Indian Idol has managed to break the janta’s preference for boys and to make history. We finally have a female Indian Idol—our very own rock star Sourabhee Debbarma.

We caught up with the deliriously happy girl moments after her win was announced. Excerpts.

How do you feel, Sourabhee?

I feel SO, SO good. I feel very happy for myself and for my parents, who have supported me so much ever since I participated in Indian Idol. I am so thrilled because I never expected that I would win, that I would make history, and that I would be the very first female Indian Idol. I’ve actually broken the record [of boys winning the title]! Can you believe it? I feel very proud of myself and my people—everyone who helped me win this title.

What’s the first thing that occurred to you when you were announced the winner?

When the first shock wore off, I remembered Javedji. When we were the Top 6, he had come up to me and told me that I would win the title this time. Then, just yesterday, he came and congratulated me and said that he knew I would win and he wanted to be the first to congratulate me. And what he predicted came true!

How do you plan to celebrate your victory?

I plan to party like crazy with the Top 13. They have been my greatest supporters. Many of them came and congratulated me even before the show began—they were so sure that I would win. In fact, they are happier right now than even I am. So I plan to go and have a lot of masti with them.

What will you be taking back from Indian Idol?

I will be taking back a lot of things from here. When I came here first, I didn’t know anything or anyone. Even my range in singing was not very good. Now I’ve improved so much, thanks to all the training I received here. I also made so many good friends—not only among the contestants but also among the crew, who were so caring and supporting of all of us.

You are a star now and bound to get a lot of attention.

Yes, I guess I am. [Laughs.] But I don’t think all that attention will go to my head. I may have won the title, but I know that the road ahead of me is going to be very tough. The music industry is a very tough place to break into. I am really nervous but I will keep trying, that’s all I can say.

Not only did you win the title, but tonight John Abraham singled you out for a lot of attention.

It was incredible, amazing. I was like ‘Oh my God’. I’ve heard that John Abraham is lucky for the contestant he supports, and when he supported me, I couldn’t believe it. But, moreover, I was sharing the same stage with him. All I could think was ‘if I am out now, I don’t mind’. After we finished dancing, John told me that I have to win for him. So now I not only think of myself as a winner, but I also think I am a winner for him!

What will you miss the most?

Everything. The stage, my friends, the judges, everything. Whatever I am today is because of Indian Idol.

Is there anything that you want to do right now?

Yes, I want to stand up and shout at the top of my voice. I want to shout, ‘Yay, I am the winner!’

What do you plan to do next?

I really don’t know what lies in the future for me. I am still reeling from the shock. Nothing seems to have sunk in yet. But no matter what happens in the future, I am very, very grateful for whatever life has given me so far.

Would you like to tell Kapil and Torsha anything?

Kapil and Torsha were in the Top 3 with me. And I believe not everyone can reach the Top 3 so easily. We three reached that goal after leaving behind lakhs and lakhs of people. They have got so much of fame and publicity that I know for sure they will go ahead and do great things. Moreover, we will be working together in the future, too. So I would like to wish them all the very best. And I ask them not to be sad at all that they didn’t win because this is just a game—someone has to lose and someone has to win.

We know you have a contract with Sony BMG. But we would like to know what you plan to do with the money.

On the stage, I was given a huge cheque of Rs 1 crore. [Laughs.] But I don’t know how much of it I will get in hand. With the money I have dreams of starting a school for artistes in Tripura—where they can come to learn how to sing, dance and act.

Is there any music director you would love to work with?

Of course, it has to be Annu Malek. He knows me and my voice perfectly now. So I know he can get the best out of me.