For generations, all singers have come up through sheer hard work. It’s true we never had a platform like this, but there was no compromise on hard work.
1) You’ve said you’re against the SMS system in reality shows. Are they bad formats?
Lata Mangeshkar: I don’t watch too many reality shows. ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ was one show I used to follow and then I’ve watched ‘Indian Idol’ once or twice. I feel because of the SMS system, the person who deserves to win loses out to the person who doesn’t. Their families cry and it all becomes quite sad. I feel that there is no need to hire judges if the show works on SMS polls.
2) You think judges don’t play any role in the shows?
LM: The television channel invites people like Asha Bhosle, Javed Akhtar and others. But from what we see, SMSs dictate the show. They should let these judges choose one winner.
3) Earlier, there was no such platform for aspiring singers. Isn’t this a good thing then?
LM: For generations, all singers have come up through sheer hard work. It’s true we never had a platform like this, but there was no compromise on hard work. The winners who come out of these shows are not really given a chance as playback singers. They end up being popular only for winning that one show.
4) Do you see any other problems?
LM: It’s all a money-making business for the channel. Through these SMSs, they make a lot of money. The singers sing Asha’s, Rafi’s and my songs and they are judged on that basis. New songs should be composed for these participants so that the composers know how well they pick up a song. Anyone can listen to a song a million times and learn it.
5) Will you suggest a new format?
LM: Many years ago, Anil Biswas and Naushad had traveled to the nooks and corners of India to find good singers; now I think that’s what makes an interesting start for a show — going to small villages and finding talent and then giving them a break. Let the judges decide upon one or two singers and offer them playback singing.
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