MUMBAI: We often wonder where TV reality stars disappear. Why do only a handful of them make it big? There are various answers to these questions, but one that fits apt is – there is the problem of plenty. New reality properties appear on our TV screens year on year while the existing players continue to churn out new seasons and talent. These talents, once the show is over, are usually left out to fetch work for themselves. The pressure of being reality contestants is immense with both family and peers expecting a spectacular post-show outcome.

Luckily, for Akanksha Sharma, that wasn’t the case. The participant of ‘Chotte Ustaad Season 2’ and ‘Jo Jeet Wohi Super Star Season 2’, and the winner of the former was lucky to have parents who understood the pros and cons of being a reality show participant. They chose not to pressurise their daughter, but then priorities did change for Sharma.

“I participated in these shows in 2010 and 2012 after which I went back to Rajasthan to only return with hopes of becoming a playback singer in 2014. After the reality shows my priorities had changed. My studies took a backseat as I wanted to become a singer. Thus, I came down to Mumbai in 2014 with my mother only to return disappointed,” explained the singer. Indeed a sad phenomenon for most reality graduates.

Both the singer and her parents had no Bollywood connects and this meant getting back home. “I had decided on going back home and living a normal life.” But, that’s not what was probably planned for her. Sharma was about to witness a silver lining.

Sharma returned to Mumbai in 2015 on instance of a relative. She did not plan anything around music on this visit, but it all just fell in place. “Anurag Sir from Zee Music called me to see the recording of the male singer for Rustom’s ‘Dhal Jaun Main’. While, I was there he asked me to sing the song and it went on to be a part of the film,” stated the singer.

Something similar happened in case of ‘Main Adhoora’ for Sunny Leone starrer ‘Beiimaan Love’. “I was at the airport when Sanjeev-Darshan called me and asked me to try the song. They were trying a lot of new voices for this particular song. So, I decided to sing it once, I was back to Mumbai. I got back, with a bad throat. Hence, I kept avoiding the recording. When I finally sung the song was locked at once,” said Sharma who has now stopped planning.

“I planned a lot in 2014, but nothing happened and when I didn’t plan anything everything fell in place. Now, I believe that God has plans for us and we should just follow,” averred the singer who hand an item number and few more Bollywood songs in the pipeline.

At the end of it she firmly points out that though reality shows are great exposure parents shouldn’t expect much at the end of it. “Moreover, when one’s a young participant his/her voice is not playback ready. Hence, one should take it easy.”