Indian Idol 12 Finale is round the corner. Who will win? Will it be Pawandeep Rajan or Arunita Kanjilal? But the show's share of controversies show no sign of diminishing. The time was right to interact with someone who has been on the show. ETimes TV got in touch with Javed Ali, ex-judge of Indian Idol. Ali took every question of TellyStarsTalk on his chin. Read on for the conversation that transpired:
Indian Idol first. This season, Amit Kumar said in an interview with ETimes TV that he was asked by the makers to only praise the contestants...
Well, I was quite surprised when I heard that. Kyunki mere saath to aisa nahin hua tha. I used to give my genuine opinion based on what I felt. I was told to not fake it because people come to know if you aren't honest.
But why have an empathy wave flowing through the show with sad stories of contestants being projected frequently? And this drives the votes, doesn't it?
Let me tell you that people want entertainment and masala; they are intrigued to know about their lifestyle. Like recently, I myself participated in a show and spoke about the hurdles in my early days. But thinking of it on the other side, I want to tell you that a contestant I was judging not long ago went on to, unfortunately, win a music reality show simply because he could appeal with his talking. Still, I would say at the end of the day, it's an individual's personal opinion whom to vote for. I don't think anybody is compelled to vote for any particular contestant.
In a way, you are clearing the show from the allegations that it's rigged...
I have done many reality shows; at least 'meri personality ko dekhkar aisa koi experience nahin hua mujhe.'
Any judges have shared with you that they have been directed to go in a specific direction?
No. As far as I go, I don't ask any contestant ki uski life mein kya hua hai, kya mushkilein aayi hai usko. I focus on music and its technicalities.
Why I asked if other judges have been pushed in a specific direction is because if you look at Anu Malik, you see a vast difference in his approach. He was so upfront in his previous years...
Frankly, I haven't seen all the episodes, not one at complete stretch because we are living in a very different world these days, no thanks to COVID.
Let me tell you that Sunidhi Chauhan had told us (See that interview above) that she quit Indian Idol 6 because the makers wanted to take the show ahead on their terms...
Phir woh thoda sochne wali baat hai. Mujhe nahin pata ki hua hoga ya nahi, lekin mere saath nahi hua.
Maybe it's indeed your personality that came in the way, like you said...
My face will tell you if I am lying. I am transparent. But I think judges don't want to hurt the contestants by and large. If I am in the judge's chair, I don't think I should be blunt.
But you earlier said on the lines that you tend to say it as it is...
Yes, but I will be disciplined and balanced. I won't hit out.
But nobody's hitting out at 'Indian Idol 12', leave aside pointing out. It's mostly been an all-praise exercise. And if judges don't correct the contestants, aren't they being not judges but cheerleaders?
(Laughs) At least I did my job of trying to tell them where they were going wrong.
So you agree that it is important to correct the contestants?
Of course. Bilkul zaroori hai.
Is it because of your personality that you weren't called for this season?
No, in fact, I was called to judge for two episodes this season. I couldn't go because I had another commitment.
Too many questions still left unanswered. But going over to your singing career...
(Smiles) Well, I faced quite a few hurdles before 'Kajra Re' of 'Bunty Aur Babli' happened to me.
Would you agree that 'Rockstar' went on to make a big difference in your career?
As an album, yes, it was too good.
You sort of started the remixes, but those were not pushed in movies. Do you subscribe to the current trend?
(Thinks hard). Well, I think it's the herd mentality that rules. Ek cheez agar chal jaati hai toh phir sab log... (trails off).
But who can sing the songs of today? Do they stay in memory beyond 2 lines?
(Smiles). Attention span has reduced and too much is being dished out. We don't even remember phone numbers. I don't know my daughter's mobile number. I have to go to my phone to search for it. Correct me if I am wrong but these songs will resonate after 20 years; nostalgia froths up.
How can I correct you? Do I know the future?
(Laughs loudly).
Back to 'Indian Idol 12'. Who will win?
Difficult to say. It's between Pawandeep Rajan, Arunita Kanjilal, Danish Khan and a few others.
