Sony bans Abhijit from performing in Star's Rang De India

Star plus presents Rang De India and has the contestants of television’s biggest reality shows Indian Idol, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and Voice of India, performing on stage for the first time. But every show has controversies and problems looming on its horizon. And it is no different with this show. The latest buzz is that Abhijit Sawant, Indian idol winner of Season 1 has been banned from performing because of contractual obligations.

Says Anupama Mandloi, the Senior Creative Director,Star Plus “It is true that Sony has not allowed Abhijit to perform for the show because he has contractual obligations with the channel. And he was very keen on performing but under these circumstances we have no other alternative but to go ahead with the show without him.”

Albert Almeida, Executive Vice President and Business Head, Sony Entertainment Television, re-asserts the same saying, "It is indeed true that Abhijit is still bound under a contract by Sony. So how can we allow him to perform for a rival channel?" But isn't the whole concept behind the show to disseminate these existing rivalries? To which Albert replied, "We were not informed about the concept of the show neither were we consulted about Abhijit performing."

But as they say, the show must go on and though it is a very good attempt on Star’s part not only to paradigm communal harmony but also dispel the existing channel rivalries, some things are just not meant to be. Well, it seems, in future the organizers needs to get all the channel heads under one roof to make such shows a reality.

Reporter and Author: Melanie