This is one story worth buying movie rights for. "I joined the Calcutta police after my father's death," says the seemingly timid Prashant. "He was a policeman and I got the job. I used to sing and in 2002, the orchestra was formed. I asked my officers, pleaded with them to give me a chance, so they heard me sing and I was selected as a singer.

His colleagues at the force pushed him to try out for Idol. "I was not interested. I used to think I can't do it. I'm not a trained singer, so how can I? Everybody forced me to try it once. So I did," he adds.

And now he's here, jostling for microphone room and with a valid shot at being Idol -- a far cry from life in the Special Action Force, escorting ministers and visiting dignitaries. "I really thank the Calcutta police officers for giving me this chance, and supporting me so strongly. They helped and supported me a lot, and here I must thank all my Indian and Nepali supporters for helping me reach here, and I’ll keep trying my best."

Prashant is putting the fact that Idol's contestants come from varied backgrounds to good use. "People here are from different places," he says. "I'm learning so much about my of new friends. I'm learning languages also. I already knew Bengali, but my friend Amit from Shillong taught me some Assamese. And I've learnt some Punjabi too."

He agrees this is a fairytale journey so far, and at this point, isn't that convinced about the ending. "Idol or not, that's very far away. Right now, it's a huge deal for me to be on the same stage, reaching this far," he says.

It's a different world right now, and he is enjoying the moment. "Here, there is no duty. I do miss my duties, chatting with my colleagues, that was a different life. And this is very different," he laughs. "Now in malls, people recognise you, so that feels good."

Also Read: 'I studied with Ajay Devgan'

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