On a high note

The show,today,has judges whose music the younger generation has grown up watching,namely Daler Mehndi,Vishal-Shekhar and Sajid-Wajid. So how does Abhilasha feel,performing in front of such people? “The judges are ‘generation-now’ people,and thus performing in front of them is a completely different experience altogether. Their tips and advice is also very encouraging for us. If we can impress them,we also have a chance of getting our big break through them,” she says.

Also present was actor Purab Kohli,the new anchor for the show. Talking about it,he said,“The last three anchors of the show,namely Sonu Niigaam,Shaan and Aditya Narayan,are accomplished singers themselves,but I am not. What Zee Tv wanted to do was to start something new. I have some experience as an anchor before,so they chose me.” He also dismissed any comparisons between him and the previous hosts. “I have little knowledge of music,so there can be no comparisons between me and them. I just want to host the show in own,different way.”

Kohli also talked about his shift from television to movies and now back to television. “I started off with a role in Hip Hip Hurray,before shifting to Channel V as an anchor on some shows. However,when I decided to become a movie actor,I made a conscious effort to move away from anchoring. But today,television has become so widespread that it is impossible to focus only on movies – to become successful,one has to concentrate on both.”

When asked whether he was consciously taking jobs with music involvement,Kohli merely laughed,and said,“It is a coincidence that I’m being offered jobs with some connection to music. However,I’m making a conscious effort in taking them up.”