The first two, Star Plus shows Kya Masti Kya Dhoom and Kuchh Kar Dikhaana Hai, were a breeze for her. She won easily.

The third was for a bigger prize, a prize most people assumed was hers from the start -- winning the Indian Idol contest.

But she dropped out a few paces behind the finish line, to study for the Higher Secondary Certificate final exam.

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Text and photograph: A Ganesh Nadar | Design: Uday Kuckian