Organisers of the show at a news meet in Ranchi on Monday. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Nov. 3: Toeing the line of reality shows on television channels, a city-based group has decided to launch a mega talent hunt for children here.

Amans’ Future Star 2009 would be launched on 15 December, said the event managers to the journalists today. The finals of the contest would take place on 6 February next year, they added.

The organisers have roped in Bollywood stars and celebrities to add grandeur to the show. Initially, the candidates from five eastern states of Bihar, Bengal, Jharkhand, Orissa and Chhatisgarh informed the members would take part in the contest, but the event managers would eventually hold a national-level contest.

“Bollywood stars Celina Jetley, Yukta Mookhey, Malaika Arora, choreographers Shyamak Davar, Mika Singh and the actor turned cricket commentator Mandira Bedi are expected to join the panel of judges. They would also share the stage with the contestants on the final day,” director Afanullah Ansari of Amans.

The show will be open for children aged between 5 years to 12 years with no other restrictions, Ansari said.

The entry fee for the contest has been fixed at Rs 100 for each contestant. “The fee has been kept low to encourage more and more children from different walks of life to participate in the programme, Ansari added. He said he was expecting even those children to participate who do not have any formal education, but who could sing, dance and walk on the ramp confidently.

The auditions for the show would be held in 10 different cities in Bihar, Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh.

“After finishing the show in the eastern region, we will hold similar shows for the other regions and the winners will then compete in a national talent hunt which will be organised soon thereafter,” Ansari added.

Catching the budding talents early and grooming them up was the motive behind the show, Ansari said