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I cannot relate to audience polls
Shaan voices his discontent with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge, wants to quit hosting shows
Abhishek Mande
Shaan has been one of the forerunners in the Indipop genre and has been hosting Sa Re Ga Ma Pa for quite a while now. Yet somehow he cannot come to terms with the new route that this show has taken – in keeping with the new-fangled notion of reality shows and the stunts that go with it. "I cannot relate to the concept of an audience poll," says Shaan, who is now a judge on the show.
He confesses, "Earlier, the show had a fairly simple format. It was serious yet fast-paced and had its light moments. I really liked it, then. But the big shift happened after Indian Idol. Suddenly everything had to change. And very honestly I was sceptical when a tried-and-tested formula had to undergo such a drastic change."
Shaan hasn't yet been able to get used to the new format. "I was keen on sticking to the old format," he says. "We could have used money to package and market the show differently. I agree we were competing with Indian Idol which was all over the place, on radio, television and even in the newspapers. Yet I don't understand why voting and mentors were introduced on our show."
Speaking about the difference that publicity makes to a show, Shaan cites the example of Fame Gurukul. "No one I met liked the show. But the campaigning was so loud that you simply couldn't miss it."
So, why did he go along with the flow? "I did that because I don't understand the trends," he replies. "These days anything sells. So I simply decided to go with what Gajendra (Singh) had to say. I agree that it did good to the show. But I don't understand what's happening."
In fact, Shaan, sounding like a fish out of water, insists that the alleged fight between Himesh Reshammiya and him never happened.
"However, I guess all this is what works," he says. "I don't know what the market wants. For instance, today 'Jhalak dikhla ja…' is one of the most popular tracks, with Himesh at his nasal best!"
His complaints don't end here. "I was watching some music channels in Bhopal the other day and I am shocked to see the kind of music that is being produced today!" he adds.
Amidst all this, Shaan seems sure only about one thing - that he wants to be known as a singer and not a TV show host. "I am contemplating giving up hosting shows and turn to singing full time," he says. admits adding that a concrete move in the direction is a little away.
