Afreen group makes it to top 16

Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, February 13

City based Afreen group which earlier cleared the audition round of the reality show “Rising Star” with a whopping 94 per cent, has now managed to make their seat reserved in top 16 by clearing - ‘Duals ki takkar’ round which was screened yesterday.

The group once again got lavish praise from the judges Shankar Mahadevan, Diljit Dosanjh and Monali Thakur and the guest judge Sukhvinder Sukhi who immediately jumped to the stage after the song sung by Afreen group was over. They got through the second round now by securing 89 per cent and will now perform in the next rounds.

Also, the judges got so excited at their performance, that they gave standing ovation to the Afreen Group. The Afreen group comprises 12 members, all of them belonging to a humble background and are the students of Lovely Professional University. Mangal Das, father of Gilldeep is a daily wage earner who sells sells second-hand clothes at Rama Mandi here.

However, likewise Gilldeep, parents of all the singers in the groups has worked really hard to support their children so that they achieve their dreams. Another star from the group is Sanjana Bhola (20), who belongs to Ludhiana. Bhola also shared her journey during the telephonic conversation and said she had seen many ups and downs in life, but her journey at Rising Star has made her forget all of it.

“My mother does not earn much by teaching music to a few students, and it is difficult for us to live the life that way, but now I am happy, at least I am doing something for them,” the girl added.

Meanwhile, the group has not only reserved their seat in top 16 at rising star but also gained many fans all over India and especially in their hometown. Talking to Jalandhar Tribune, a housewife Shreya Awasthi, who was spotted talking about the group in a local market here shared, “I and my family sit together on every Saturday and Sunday in front of TV and wait for the performance of Afreen group.

These children are really blessed as they have got an amazingly beautiful voice. I am really a big fan of the group and I feel proud that they are from Jalandhar.”

“We are waiting eagerly for their next performance and we have full confidence that they will be back to the town as the winner of “Rising Star” season-2,” she added.