Just a few suggestions:
1. The guru-shisya format is commendable. But do not allow the gurus to vote or comment on their students. Instead, make a panel of eminent judges comprising of eminent musicians (who have atleast 10 years of experience in the film industry; and throw out BS people like Himesh and Aadesh), classical and playback singers, eminent lyricists (not the ones who writes cheap lyrics like Sameer), and directors who are also known for their great musical sense (like Sanjay Leela Bansali).
2. Make it a singing contest (and not a soap opera) that tests all aspects of a singer's capabilities, and cut out all dramabazi. Earlier format of SRGM tested that by putting the contestants through taal round, judge's choice round, regional songs round, etc. Bring those back to the contest in the preliminary and semi-final rounds.
3. For the top 4 finalists (2 male, 2 female), create a panel of 10 judges comprising of legends like Lataji, Ashaji, Manna Dey, Jagjit Singhji, Gulzar Saab, Javed Akhtar saab and two respected current day music directors (like A.R.Rehman), and two topmost current generation of singers (like udit Narayan, kavita, or Alka) and put them to test through more rigorous and innovative rounds.
4. Cut all the crap about performance. The motive should be find a good male and female voice (not a dancer who can also sing) that will serve the industry for a long time to come.
5. Only for top 4 contestants fighting in the final, introduce public voting besides being judged by the eminent panel. In that way, the public also feels involved and attached with your programme.
6. So we can have two prizes - one judges choice and the other popular choice.
Sincerely hope that GS takes some lesson out of his experience in Challenge 2005, and gift us a better show next time.
To salvage whatever reputation/credibility is left on the current show, expose the culprits asap. We demand truth, and only the truth!
