MUMBAI: The grand finale of Indian Idol is just a step away. As one looks back on the last few months --from the auditions in different parts of the country, through the piano rounds, theatre rounds and to the last gala round it has been a truly memorable journey. Season 3 of Indian Idol has unanimously been declared the most popular with its worldwide viewers, talent and popularity of its contestants.

The gala round culminates this week. The two contestants who met during the piano round in Mumbai and became friends almost instantly and have remained room mates and best buddies throughout the contest are ironically pitted against each other in the finals. To their credit, Amit Paul and Prashant Tamang are fighting to the finish to do deliver their best yet with not a dent in their friendship which speaks volumes about the people they are.The last gala round before the finals was a very special event. It had two very special guests ?“ John Abraham and Bipasha Basu. The two decided to be on opposite teams to play a different ball game. Their "Goal" was to support the two competitors. Bipasha chose to support Amit (her mother too was there to support him) while John threw his weight behind Prashant.

In the first round each contestant sang a song of their choice. In the second they sang a song given by the other as challenge. Prashant sang Amit`s choice of song for him Badi mushkil hai ¦ with such gay abandon that he had Annu Malek`s vote for the Indian Idol title! Prashant`s challenge for Amit was to sing Bulla ki jaana main kaun.. Amit got a standing ovation from all the four judges for it! Bipasha hoped some day soon Amit would do playback singing for John so that she would have the pleasure of hearing a romantic song in Amit`s voice sung for her! Did someone say the two had broken up.

In the final segment both contestants sang Tanhaiyee¦ from Dil chahta hai¦ the judges found it hard to decide who was better. It is going to be even harder for the viewers. Once again every viewer wishes that the best man wins the Indian Idol title. Go ahead and select your best man