Like any other kid, Yatharth Ratnum is a matrix fan, surf net and loves karaoke tracks. Quiz him on singing and his maturity would stun you.

“My favourite singers are Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, Mohd Rafi and Shreya Ghoshal,” says the top 8-finalists of yet another season of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs.

A resident of Varanasi, Yatharth was in Lucknow on Sunday on a promotional tour.

A class VIII student of Sunbeam School, Bhagwanpur, Yatharth secured 98 per cent marks in class VII.

“When other kids watch cartoons and play video games I do my riyaaz,” says Yatharth who is on a ‘special leave’ to pursue his singing dreams.

Inspired by his father, who claims himself to be a bathroom singer, Yatharth started singing at the age of eight.

“Later, I joined Guru Pandit Devashish Dey and since then there has been no looking back,” says Yatharth promising to win the title.

A Harry Potter fan, he aims to become a playback singer.

Abhijit Srivastava who claims to be the favourite of judges Alka Yagnik and Abhijeet hails from another small town of UP, Lakhimpur- Kheri.

“I am here because my father wanted me to attempt the auditions when he heard me humming a Veer Zara number,” he says crediting his parents and sister Shivangi for his success. “My parents are very supportive. Now, I want to be a superstar,” he gushes.

A class VIII student of St Don Bosco School, Abhijit is learning music under the tutelage of Raj Kumar Tiwari and Sunil Yadav.

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