Ishmit Singh Sohdi, winner of VOI 1, who was soon to turn 20 died with dreams unfulfilled. He was looking forward to a bright future in Punjabi movies as an actor and was quite upbeat about the way his music career was shaping up. In the process of recording his first ever album, Ishmit left the world in a tragic accident. The news of his death left his fans shocked world-wide. The only son of his parents Ishmit hailed from Ludhiana in Punjab.

A budding singer, Ishmit was in Maldives for a concert when tragedy struck and he drowned in the pool of the resort he was staying in.

Talking to Tellychakkar about their warm memories of the affable Ishmit are some of his colleagues and well wishers.

Sumitra Iyer, Ishmit's co-contestant on VOI and who was with him on the fateful day recalls, "We spoke at length about the duet songs that we were to perform at the concert. We were to sing songs from Jane Tu and Singh is King. He told me that he really loved the resort and didn't want to leave Maldives. It's hard to believe that Ishmit is no more with us. He was so passionate about music and wanted to make it big in the industry. He respected one and all and was very polite."

"I don't know about the turn of events as I wasn't present when this unfortunate incident happened. But when he was in the pool there were no life guards present," adds the singer.

Yet another VOI contestant Abhaas Joshi remembers him as a very focused individual. He says, "I have spent a good nine months with him in one room during VOI where we lived like one family. We were so happy when he won the title of VOI. He was a very simple guy who was not mischievous at all. He was showing a lot of improvement in his singing. He was never the one who would fall in any kind of arguments let alone fights. He never had grudges against anyone. I have not spoken to his parents as I can't gather courage to face them. His loss will not just be mourned by his family but the entire country."

Talking of the painful incident Abhaas says,

"I am hearing different tales from different people. Some say that he hurt his head while jumping in a baby pool which caused his death and others say that he accidentally slipped in the water and thus drowned as he didn't know swimming. I had met him some 10 days ago in Kolkata where we all had come for the opening of VOI 2. He looked so positive and was singing so well. I can't believe something like this has actually happened, sadly adds Abhaas.

Gajendrra Singh who has worked closely with the singer recalls of the days spentwith Ishmit at the shoot, "Ishmit was like our own child. He had been with us since the day we started off with the shoot for VOI and stayed with us till the end. He made us all proud by winning the show. The news of his sudden death comes across as a total shock to our entire team. I would take this opportunity to assure his family that we are all there to support them and pray that his soul rest in peace."