'I am a complete reality show junkie' - Farah Khan

Riding high on the success of Om Shanti Om and the delivery of her triplets, Farah Khan returns to the small screen as the judge of STAR Plus' new reality show, Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar. The show brings together on the same platform, singers of different reality shows, proving themselves once again. Here's the choreographer turned director talking about her love for reality shows and the drama associated with it.

After judging two seasons of Indian idol, what made you take up the judges' chair on yet another reality show?
I am a big reality show junkie. I have watched each and every reality show that has been telecasted on television. Nach Baliye, Jjhoom India, Jhalak Dikhla Ja etc...you name it and I have watched it. And when they approached me to judge this show, I jumped at the opportunity. Also the concept is something different and unique. It might just be another reality show for the media, but right now reality shows have become a fad on television and people enjoy watching them.

So what is the USP of the show, according to you?
This show is different from most other reality shows. It is not about finding new talent but about singers who have already been appreciated by the audience proving themselves. I think the main USP of the show is the voting pattern. Most of the reality shows have the audience selecting or eliminating the contestants. But in this case, 50% of the judgment is in the hands of the jury members. Also all the singers participating in this show are excellent singers and at least this time I won't have to hear any bad singers perform (Laughs).

How do you intend to juggle your family and work life at the same time?
See the shooting for this show is only once a week, so its not like I will be spending a lot of time away from home. I also have my mother to help me take care of my kids, Diva, Anya and Czar.

On what basis are you going to judge the singers participating here?
Although I have heard them sing before on television, when they perform here, I will treat them like new singers. I don't intend on judging them on their past performances. The judging will be based on the day's performance. in fact I plan to completely forget how Abhijeet Sawant, Rahul Vaidya, Amit Sana, Prajakta Shukre sang on Indian Idol and treat them as new singers.

Reality shows have been cashing a lot on the drama between the judges; Indian Idol was one such show. Should the audience expect the same with this show too?
I loved the dramas that were shown on television. In fact I would like to create some drama on this show too, probably slap Vishal and Shekar or something like that, guess that will raise the TRPs. But frankly we intend to entertain the audience with something different, not the same old drama that happens every time. You'll will probably see the singers fighting and creating drama as they are also celebrities.

All the contestants who are on this show have gained immense popularity and adulation; yet it is seen that most of them fade away from the limelight after some time, why do you think that happens?
I wouldn't say they fade out from television. A lot of people remember them. It is just a matter of luck for them. Some singers like Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shreya Ghoshal have struck it big by getting the right break. It is all in your destiny. And there are lot of singers from reality shows who are doing quite well in the industry. Sometimes playback singing is not in everyone's destiny, but they are gaining popularity by releasing their albums and doing live performances. So I think either way they are still popular.

Why did you not consent to judging Indian Idol 3?
I was too busy with the production of Om Shanti Om and I was also four months pregnant then. I was already undergoing a lot of stress with the large scale promotion of Om Shanti Om, and did not want to take up another huge responsibility like judging a show.

It has been seen that a lot of the judges of reality shows have no background in the pertinent field, so why are they given the title of a judge?
I agree I am a choreographer and don't have much knowledge about singing. But if given a chance I would love to judge a dance reality show too, and I started my stint as a judge with Indian Idol, so by now I must have gained some knowledge about singing from my other esteemed colleagues who were present on the show with me.

Nowadays there are so many reality shows happening on television, don't you feel they have begun to get redundant for the audience?
I don't think so. as I said earlier, reality shows have become the latest fad on Indian television. And the audience loves watching them, as I think it's a welcome respite from the regular saas-bahu daily soaps. The day the audience stops watching these shows is when they will become redundant.

So what are your plans with your next movie?
Right now only half of my script is complete. My movie might probably be ready to go on floor by next year.

Ever thought of doing something in television?
If given an opportunity, I would definitely love to do it.

Reporter and Author: Melanie