MUMBAI: ‘Indian Idol Junior’ is back with more glamour quotient and young talent from all over India. The singing reality TV show was launched on Thursday, 21 May in Mumbai with a blast from the past, with contestants paying tribute to some of the legends of music industry like Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar and Sonu Nigam.
The show’s young contestants traced the journey of songs in the music world from the 1950s era by crooning hit numbers ‘Aaiye Meherbaan’, ‘Aayega Aane Wala’, ‘Mere Sapno Ki Rani’, ‘Ruki Ruki Thi Zindagi’ and ‘Main Tenu Samjhawan Ki’. They gave a glimpse of what is in store for the show’s future, at an energetic and fun-filled evening.
Season two of the show will see Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha, foraying into the small screen space as a judge. The ‘Dabangg’ actress says she will try to induce a ‘fun’ element in the show while finding the winner from a common man’s perspective.
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“I cannot judge children on their singing capabilities, but will be watching them as a common man who likes music and appreciates music. I will be someone who encourages them and we will have fun together,” Sonakshi said at the launch.
The event started with host Hussain Kuwajerwala introducing his co-host, Asha Negi of ‘Pavitra Rishta’ fame.
The other judges – composer Vishal Dadlani, got the audience grooving with his performance, which was followed by Shalmali Kholgade singing ‘Mohabbat Buri Bimari’. However, the show’s fourth judge, singer Salim Merchant, was missing.
Talking about his association with the talent show, Dadlani said, “This is something that is very dear to me. It is amazing to hear these beautiful voices, so pure and untouched by commercialisation.”
Dadlani, who was part of ‘Indian Idol Junior’ season one, is thrilled to be back, and added, “For season two, I’m really excited. The children are phenomenal singers, and that is what the show is about, it is about spectacular vocal ability.”
Sonakshi lauded the hard work and dedication shown by the children as she felt “it’s not easy to reach this stage after all those auditions, and obviously the juniors have proved that they are supremely talented”.
Nachiket Pantvaidya, senior executive vice president and business head, Sony Entertainment Television, mentioned that a lot of stories will find a voice through the show.
“A lot of stories happening behind the talent will be seen. A lot of emotional and heart stirring stories are there,” Pantvaidya said.
The show will be aired on 30 May.
