Long running music talent program - new season of Indian Idol on Sony TV

Indian Idol is a long running serial on Sony TV, now running on the 5th edition (the show itself being modeled on a popular American serial of the same type and format). The concept of the show is fairly simple; people from all over the country can apply to showcase their talent (and by now, the auditions of Indian Idol are huge, with a large number of people from all over the country wanting to apply), and then take part in several rounds, being judged by eminent musicians and singers (a jury of 3, out of which Anu Malik seems to be the ever-present member).
Over a period of time, the winner of the contest gets a lot of fame, the opportunity to get a break into the singing industry, and also huge awards from the sponsors (in this case, a 1 year contract with Sony BMG, and also 1 crore as prize money). The winner of the First Indian Idol was Abhijeet Sawant, who is also one of the presenters for the show, the other being Prajakta Shukre (who placed 4th in the first season of Indian Idol). The judges for this season have been changed, with Anu Malik remaining (he remains the judge with the sharpest tongue, claiming that he is a straight talking person), with the others being the singer, Sunidhi Chauhan, as well as the musician and singer Salim Merchant. Both of them are a bit softer on the contestants, but otherwise have their own opinions, and it is also pretty clear that they will take their own decisions (not swayed by Anu Maik). In addition, it is also rumored that the channel would prefer that there be always some amount of conflict so that the show also remains interesting.

Video of Indian idol 5 Auditions 26th April 2010



Indian idol 5 Auditions 26th April 2010 Episode 1

Music reality program - Star Plus - Amul Music Ka Maha Muqqabla, a music contest between teams

This was a reality contest, of the music genre, with 6 teams. Typical reality contests are between individuals striving to become an overall champion (like the Indian Idol), so this type of contest is more interesting. The show appeared on Star Plus, starting on December 13, 2009, with a total of 13 weeks, lasting till March 2010.
The show was compered by Ayushmann Khurrana, with the teams fighting it out bitterly. In the case of people such as Himesh Reshammiya, the contest could really become bitter, with him being sarcastic or taunting on many occasions. The teams had some well known singers (with many of them having come from some of the music programs). Within each round, there are 5 contests (what this means is, every episode would have 5 contests), with all members of the team (including the leaders) having to sing.
The teams were led by the following well known personalities (and their team members):
Shaan - Debojit Saha, Anwesha, Harshit Saxena, Shadab Faridi
Shreya Ghoshal - Abhas Joshi, Ujjaini, Aneek Dhar, Rehman Ali
Mohit Chauhan - Amey Date, Hemachandra Vedalal, Ravi Shukla, nikitha Nigam
Mika - Lakhwinder Wadali, Toshi Sabri, Himani Kapoor, Tajinder Singh Ahuja
Shankar - Rahul Vaidya, Sharib Sabri, Sanjeev Kumar, Neeti Mohan
Himesh Reshammiya - Raja Hasan, Vinit Singh, Munawwar Ali, Ashwariya

Each contested with each other in different combinations, with points being given by the audience as well as by the judges (the 4 other teams that were bystanders).
In the end, the program was won by Shankar Rockstars on 20th March 2010.

Videos of the final on Youtube:

Amul Music ka Mahamuqabla Grand Finale Part 1



Amul Music ka Mahamuqabla Grand Finale Part 2



Amul Music ka Mahamuqabla Grand Finale Part 3

Update on Zee TV's 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa'

Pritam da’s hairy resolution
Pritam Da who was the special judge on SaReGaMaPa Mega Challenge this week has shocked the audience by his resolution for next year. Prtiam Da has had a long association with the show and he made an interesting announcement in the coming episode. He said that the next time he comes on the show, which would be a year later, he would have lost 20 KGs of weight and would also get rid of his long tresses and would be seen clean shaven. The anchors – Manish and Vipul were pulling a fast one on Pritam saying a lot of his fans have requested him to trim his hair. They actually went upto him with scissors and cut a bit of his hair. That’s when Pritam shocked everyone with his announcement. Looks like after Himesh Reshammiya, Pritam is in line of the music directors to try a new look. His long hair, beard and moustache are his signature style and we wonder if anyone would even recognize Pritam without his beard!

SaReGaMaPa gets its new anchors just after a week
Just after the first two episodes of Zee TV's ‘Hero Honda Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Mega Challenge’, the anchors - Archana Jani and Karan Singh were replaced. Manish Paul and Vipul Roy, the pair that has been hosting 'Ghar Ghar Mein' on the channel has been finalised to play the anchors on SaRaGaMaPa Mega Challenge henceforth.

A long journey for Manish and Vipul
Both the anchors are super-excited about their new role.
Vipul who has been long associated with the show, never thought of actually being in front of the camera. He worked with the spotlight (behind the scenes) crew during SaReGaMaPa Challenge 2007. Similarly Manish as a kid, use to imitate Sonu Nigam during the initial episodes of the show. An excited Manish says, “I always wished that I anchored a show someday and do a job as good as Sonu Nigam. Today standing in his place and trying to deliver the same means a lot to me.”

Its MP v/s Gujarat on SaReGaMaPa Mega Challenge
After the maha battle between Maharshtra and UP last week, teams from Gujarat and MP are all geared to take each other on this weekend. The teams delivered excellent performances this week and encouraging their spirits were Pritam da and Sadhana Sargam who couldn’t stop raving about the participants’ talent.

RJs Archana Jani and Karan Singh to host ‘Hero Honda SaReGaMaPa Megachallenge’

Ending the much speculated development on the Anchors of the brand new series- Heor Honda SaReGaMaPa – Megachallenge, Zee TV announces the well known RJs of Mumbai – Karan Singh and Archana Jani as the hosts of their new show. Various names like Shaan, Navjyot Singh Sindhu, Shreyas Talpade, Purab were doing their rounds for this position, while Karan and Archana happened to bag the same. Both of then are equally excited to join the SaReGaMaPa brigade. The previous seasons’ hosts – Dhairya and Afsha had the audiences under their spell and now the new RJs will bring a totally fresh air to the show. With their spontaneity and high energy they would keep audience glues to their seats and make the sets even livelier.

RJ Archana said, “Having entertained viewers for so long only by talking to them, it gives me heejee beeis to finally appear in front of them. Like they loved my voice and allowed me to entertain them, I really hope they like to see me anchoring the legendary show and accept both Karan and me into their homes.”