A Reality Show for a Cause - 'Mission Ustaad'

9X from INX Media, has created history by bringing together the United Nations and Endemol India, along with the legendary music maestro A.R. Rahman for a unique and entertaining reality show, Mission Ustaad, starting 1st December..

Musical Maestro A.R. Rahman joins hands with the writer and poet par excellence Javed Akhtar and Miss Universe and Bollywood superstar Lara Dutta to evaluate the performances of eight great talents. The singing sensations - Roop Kumar Rathod and Sunali Rathod, Kailash Kher and Mahalakshmi Iyer, Vasundhara Das and Mohit Chauhan, Naresh Iyer and Shweta Pandit will get together and battle it out for the title of Ustaad Jodi. This noble-cause oriented reality show will be hosted by the gorgeous actress with a million-dollar smile, Simone Singh.

Mission Ustaad, to air Fridays and Saturdays, 9PM, starting 1st December, thus promises engrossing and mass musical entertainment for a cause, and is on course to communicate the essence of UN Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) across the entire nation.

Commenting on the show, A. R. Rahman said: “I am delighted to be part of Mission Ustaad on 9X. Many eminent names from the entertainment industry will join me on the show. I am convinced that the partnership between 9X, the UN and Endemol will bring about the desired awakening among Indian viewers, and Mission Ustaad will touch the hearts of the nation in a very entertaining manner.”

Lara Dutta, Bollywood Superstar and Miss Universe and United Nations’ youngest Goodwill Ambassador throughout South-East Asia said, “I have been associated with UN for quite a while now, and representing them in a big reality show like ission Ustaad is truly a pleasure.”

Writer and poet extraordinaire, Javed Akhtar who completes the elite Jury Panel says, “It’s great to work with A.R, Rahman on a platform where entertainment is mixed with a cause. What I like about Mission Ustaad is that despite having scaled ladder of success, these well known singers have come forward to participate in the show as contestants without any airs about themselves. I wish them good luck – may the best pair win”.

The 4 pairs of Jodis on mission will sing popular as well as specially composed songs based on MDGs specified themes; the Jodis will also present their justification for the songs and the compositions they have selected to sing. The Jodis will be judged by the audience as well as the 3 eminent Jury members, and the Jodi to get the maximum votes on a particular week will be crowned Jodi of the Week. The Beauty of this Reality Show will the be that there will be no eliminations, as the talented artistes will be performing in the show as missionaries for a noble cause. The Jodi that makes the biggest impact week after week will be proclaimed the Ustaad Jodi. It is not just the Ustaad Jodi, which walks away with prize money; the other pairs too stand to win prize money that will be contributed to charities, that would use the funds to spread awareness about and implement UN MDGs in India. 9X too will contribute all profits from the SMSes received for the noble cause.

As the Jewel in the Crown, the best original compositions by the Jodis will be compiled in an album aimed at spreading the message of UN Millenium Development Goals across India.

So what are you waiting for? Get ready to be a part of the Reality Show aimed for a noble cause, 'Mission Ustaad' starting 1st December, 9PM only on 9X.

Reporter : Hiral Anju Bhatt
Author: Srividya Rajesh