Small Wonders: Contestants at Zee’s Li’l Champs show with host Shaan

It seems that talent hunt shows on television just won’t run out of steam. After the mega success of such shows as Sony’s Indian Idol and Fame Gurukul and Zee’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and Ek Main Aur Ek Tu, TV channels have hit upon yet another way to milk the craze for reality shows and talent hunts. The target this time? Children who hope to make it big in the world of showbiz.

If Hungama TV is all set to increase its television rating points (TRPs) with John aur Kaun?, Zee TV has already launched Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’ Champs. The first is a talent hunt for children where the winners ? a boy and a girl ? get the chance to act with Bollywood hunk John Abraham, and the second is in the tradition of Zee’s super successful Sa Re Ga Ma Pa series, where contestants vie with one another to win the crown of the best singer.

Not to be outdone, Sony too has revamped its popular Boogie Woogie show and is now calling it the Boogie Woogie Kids’ Championship. Clearly, children are the flavour of the season as far as reality shows are concerned and television producers are doing all they can to exploit it to the hilt.

Zee’s L’il Champs, which went on air from July 4, will provide a platform to young participants in the age group of seven to 14 years. Says Gajendra Singh, creative director, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, “Music is an integral part of Indian culture and talent should be nurtured from an early age. L’il Champs aims to identify young talent. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa has always been a platform for the best talent in the country. Now L’il Champs will bring out the best in young talent.”

Ten finalists will be chosen from 45 shortlisted children and from their midst the ultimate L’il Champ will emerge. And, of course, as in the adult version, viewers’ votes will decide their fate. “The USP of the show is that the winner gets to make a music album with a pop star and receives a lifetime music scholarship,” reveals Singh. “Don’t forget, it was Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma that gave us singers as talented as Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal,” he adds.

The producers of these reality shows for children admit that they have a huge viewership potential. Says Siddharth Roy Kapur, senior vice president, marketing and communication, UTV, “The idea behind starting a reality show for children is to showcase the talent residing in them. However, we cannot deny that it is a smart way of increasing our TRPs too.”

UTV and Hungama TV’s joint venture John aur Kaun? already looks a winner, says Roy Kapur. With a prize of Rs 5 lakh and a chance to act with John Abraham in his forthcoming film, the response to the contest has been “phenomenal”, he says. “We have received thousands of entries out of which 50 candidates, all in the age group of seven to 14 years, will be shortlisted from each zone on the basis of their singing, dancing and acting abilities. They will fight it out to be in the final 40, out of which the lucky two will be selected,” he adds.

Auditions for John aur Kaun? are now on and the programme is slated to go on air in September. Says Zarina Mehta, COO, Hungama TV, “Indian children have a tremendous potential and Hungama TV wants to offer them a platform to exhibit their talent.”

Apparently, John Abraham, who is also the brand ambassador for Hungama TV, is equally excited about the show. “I am looking forward to spending time interacting with kids in this programme. The show will give talented kids across the country an opportunity to shine and I am very glad to be involved in this effort.”

Needless to say, children are excited about these shows as well. Says 10-year-old Hassan Abdul Ghaffar, a student of Class IV, Saifee Hall School, Calcutta, who plans to audition for John aur Kaun?, “I was always keen on taking up acting as a career. So I see this competition as a platform to show my talent and enter the world of glamour. And if I win, I will be working with John Abraham! That’s like the icing on the cake!” Adds Tanishq Kharbanda, 7, “I applied for the contest because I like John and want the chance to act with him.”

As the kids slug it out for the ultimate honour, millions will switch on their TV sets to watch them perform. At least that is what the channels are hoping.