He won the first CloseUp1 competition (an adaptation of Pop Idol), a TV show to decide the best new young singer based on voting and participation.
In 2005, when CloseUp started Farhad registered his name as Nolok Babu.
In the selection round, he came into notice with "Sua Chan Pakhi", a popular song of late folk musician, Ukil Munsi.
In the next rounds, he performed "Amar gaye joto dukkho soy", "Megh bhanga Rod", "Keno ei Nissongota", "Tara bhora rate" and "Ma go Bhabna keno".
Nolok was criticized for his rapid change of lifestyle and rude behaviour.