Exclusive: Swayamvar Mika Di Vohti top 3 finalist Prantika Das says, ‘I have found a friend in Mika Singh ji for life and I am going to cherish it’

Ahead of Swayamvar: Mika Di Vohti finale tonight (April 25), ETimes TV got in touch with Kolkata-born Prantika Das, who is in the Top 3. While Mika Singh selects his vohti tonight, Prantika spoke to us exclusively in a candid conversation about her journey in the show, meeting the Bollywood singer for the first time, their bond and chemistry in show and much more. Prantika Das, Akanksha Puri and Neet Mahal are the Top 3 finalists and Mika is going to select his partner from them. Excerpts from the chat:

More than being in Top 3, I feel good that I am this close to Mika ji’s heart. The bond that we have created over time, the bond that we share is very different from the bond he shares with the rest. This bond wouldn’t have happened with anybody else on the planet. I take pride in this bond. I feel extremely good that we have connected since the beginning of the show.

I have always admired him, his personality, his songs, choice of songs – all that really intrigued me somewhere. When I actually walked on the stage, dressed as a bride, it was surreal. When I looked into his eyes, he was smiling at me and I winked at him. I actually felt like I was meeting my would-be. It just felt like the wedding was happening at that moment. I took the longest time among all the girls. Since Day 1, there was a comfort between us. It didn’t feel like we were meeting for the first time. Now the akhdi-padhao is left. Now either we will begin our journey as lifelong friends or as a life-partner.

I wanted to gift him something – that would connect us and have a Bengali touch to it. I am from Kolkata, he was born in Durgapur. I gave him an ‘uttariya’ (stole) that had illustrations of Kolkata’s landmarks along the border and his photos digitally illustrated in the middle. It was a very emotional moment for me as I welcomed him into my life. Finally the wait was over to meet my Prince Charming as I travelled to Rajasthan.

I wasn’t tense or nervous. There was a curiosity. I was recalling all the moments that led up to the finale. There was a time when I would feel nervous about the tasks, when I would get solo dates, or group dates with Mika Ji. We both have connected so well, destiny has brought me here. There were talent rounds to woo him, winning his heart, but our bond was effortless. I didn’t have to try very hard to gain attention. He liked me how I am naturally. I cried in front of the camera and it was real. Right now, I am in a state that it will be either of the 3 girls. I am just curious. It will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. He has said, ‘Prantika is a cute bachcha. I am going to adopt her. Whoever will be my partner has to deal with me and Prantika because I will never let go of her hand.’ He has promised me friendship for life. So whatever happens, we will definitely be friends and be through each other’s thick and thin.

The cooking task was my favourite. I didn’t know how to cook. For that particular task, I have literally put in so much effort. I made ‘Chika for Mika’ (Barbeque tossed chicken wings) and went through 10 types of recipes on YT. I mixed and matched and made my own recipe. Many of us didn’t know how to cook. The taste, the colour came out so well. I even cooked on an induction for the first time. I am a performer, so tasks like singing, dancing came naturally. But this cooking was a real task for me. Mika ji liked it and so my task paid off.

I actually didn’t think Akanksha Puri would be in the finale because she came as a wild card. We generally don’t see wild cards making it to the top. They just come and go. But Akanksha and Mika shared a very good bond for 13-14 years and maybe that’s why she reached. She entered the show in 17th episode. The audience didn’t see much of her. I think one contestant who could replace her was Dhwani Gautam. She was talented. She knew mimicry, sing. She was really good at everything. Apart from Neet and I, Dhwani could have been in the Top 3.

It feels great. I didn’t know honestly that people would start recognising me. Once I was in Mumbai, roaming around with my mom – the family had come down for the mehendi and sangeet episode – I took my mom to a café in South Mumbai. 2-3 girls drenched in the rain came up to me and asked me ‘Aren’t you Prantika’. Wherever I am going, Siddhivinayak temple, airport, people are recognizing me. My mom was travelling by metro, people have started recognizing her too – they asked, ‘Aren’t you Prantika’s mom?’ This feeling is so good, I can’t express it in words. All my comment sections, DMs, it’s flooded. They have been with me in my journey and the show. Audience has equally supported me throughout. They are my extended family and I will be forever grateful. They are my heroes.