NEW DELHI / MUMBAI: Zee TV's much-publicised and highly rated show, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005, has got its winner. And, with it surfaces another singing talent as also spin-off programming material for the channel.

In an intense and nail-biting finish, which saw a last-minute flurry of short text messages for and against participants by viewers, Assam lad Debojit Saha was chosen as the winner of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005, a music-based reality show.

Saha beat Vinit Singh, a capable opponent, to take home the prize money and other associated benefits.

Pointing out that the audiences have been urging the channel to show more of their favourite Challenge singers, Zee TV business head Punit Goenka said in a statement today, "We have decided to showcase our talented, but ousted, singers in a new series called Ek Main Aur Ek Tu slated to launch on 16 March, airing on Thursdays and Fridays at 10 pm".

According to Goenka, Challenge 2005 has had a triumphant run turning out a "phenomenal performance."

He added: "The show has redefined reality programming. We intend to continue our search for fresh talent with a new series of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.. This is not the end of the journey, but a new beginning in search of new voices".

The winner Saha bagged a music contract with HMV and a two-year sponsored stay in Mumbai. However, almost every contestant of Challenge 2005 seems to have benefited from the exposure in the programme.

Quite a few have already bagged leading playback singing opportunities. Prominent ones being Vineet with Himesh Reshammiya for Zayed Khan starrer Rocky, Rajeev and Himani for Kalpana Lajmi's already-released women oriented flick Chingari and Nihira Joshi and Hemachandra for Alagh.

Expressing satisfaction, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 director Gajendra Singh said that the show has proved to be a successful series since inception.