Vishal Dadlani

How have the kids (all in the five-15 age group) in Calcutta fared so far?

Talent in Calcutta has been spectacular, surprisingly spectacular. Every time we come to Calcutta, we hear about amazing talent but we were not aware of how good the kids would be. People have come from Guwahati, Jamshedpur and the Northeast. They sang numbers that were so difficult that even I can’t sing them! They are steeped in music, well-mannered, humble and cute... we are having a blast.

What are the parameters on which you are judging the contestants?

Parameters are always the same. Musicality is musicality. We are looking for a singer who is spectacular. Nothing else matters. We are looking at voice quality, pitching technique and finesse. The ability to invoke and convey emotions is the most important thing about music. I am waiting for someone to sing us an original composition that will blow me away because I genuinely believe that Calcutta is home to music. So much music, art and creativity comes from Calcutta.... Rabindranath Tagore, Satyajit Ray or... Sujoy Ghosh. Sujoy’s thought process is shaped by Calcutta. Even Panchamda (RD Burman) was from Calcutta.

How difficult is it to judge kids?

It is difficult to tell him or her that you are not ready for the platform. We are trying not to hurt anybody’s feelings but you still have to be honest to music. Just to make people happy you cannot have them on a show. So far we have failed twice. I apologised profusely to both the kids and their parents. The idea is to pick the best talent from Calcutta.

Isn’t it unfair for a kid of five to compete with a 15-year-old?

It is difficult but I have to tell you that a six-year-old came just now and blew us away... she was the best among the kids we’ve heard. If we had to fill the show with kids from Calcutta, we can easily do that!

Who is the stricter judge?

All three [Shekhar Ravjiani, Shreya Ghoshal and Vishal] of us are pretty goofy. We are trying to find the best talent while having a good time. But kids seem to be afraid of me because I look scary!

What are your upcoming projects?

The next one is Gippi (produced by Karan Johar). It’s a lovely story about a 14-year-old girl and how she finds confidence. Our other projects are Chennai Express (Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukone), Gori Tere Pyaar Mein (Kareena Kapoor- Imran Khan), Happy New Year (directed by Farah Khan and starring Shah Rukh) and Bang Bang (remake of Tom Cruise’s Knight and Day with Hrithik Roshan-Katrina Kaif).

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Karan Wahi

 

He burst on to the small screen with the teen show Remix. He won hearts as Rohan in Kuch Toh Log Kahenge and was a riot as the host of Nach Baliye 5. A t2 chat with Karan Wahi, 26, who is all set to host Indian Idol Junior (Sony Entertainment Television).

Of late you’ve been anchoring a lot of shows...

It’s fun anchoring. I have wanted to anchor for the last two years... it’s just that something was not working out. And finally when it worked out, all these guys loved me in Nach Baliye and thus the progression from Nach... to Indian Idol (Junior). I just love it because I love to talk!

What is it about you as host that clicks with the audience?

I just feel that viewers can relate to me because of the way I talk. Indian Idol Junior is all about kids. I love kids. I have a lot of fun. Mentally, I am 13 or 14, so I think I relate to them somewhere!

What are the things one has to keep in mind while hosting a show?

Apni beizzati kara lo, bahut mazaa aata hai. Jitni aapki beizzati hoti hai, utna log aapko pyaar karte hain! Just kidding. Just be yourself. I am just being myself. The channel has told me: ‘Don’t be an actor, just be yourself.’

How have the Calcutta contestants been?

There is something in Bengali blood... everybody is a singer or a musician or an artist. The kids are very talented here.

You have been working on television since you were 18. How has the journey been?

I think you improve every day and it’s been nine years since Remix. When you work day in, day out, you get to know your faults, you improve on your faults, the way you look, the way you dress up, the way you talk, the way you act.... I have been very selective about the work I do. It’s not about the money I get, it’s about something that I believe in. I played Rohan in Kuch Toh Log Kahenge knowing that it wasn’t the lead. I just loved the character. I believe in what I do.

What makes you so popular with women?

It’s fun, yaar. The main reason I am into acting is this. I love the fame, I love the adulation. I love when women love you for no rhyme or reason!

Have there been any crazy fan “incidents”?

There have been many such incidents. Clothes have been torn, I have been scratched, not in anger but in an attempt to hold me. I have got random gifts delivered to my house. For instance, once I was asking my friends on Twitter to suggest a home theatre system. I got a home theatre system the next day... in front of my door!

Is Karan the cutest show host on TV? Tell t2@abp.in

Pictures: Anindya Shankar Ray